'I Don't Like Watching Myself On TV!'

Actress Zoë Wanamaker talks to us about her new role, why she hates seeing herself on screen and the importance of friendship

- Rianne Ison

Over the past 40 years, actress Zoë Wanamaker has rarely been off our screens. From starring in the timeless sitcom My Family to taking on more recent roles in shows including Mr Selfridge and Babs, she’s become quite the familiar face.

Yet when the actress walks into our interview during filming for her brand-new ITV drama Girlfriends, she still politely introduces herself, ‘Hello, I’m Zoë, nice to meet you,’ she says, shaking our hands firmly.

And it seems that’s typical of her forthright manner. Because as Zoë, 68, sits down to chat, she opens a notepad filled with notes about the things she wants to say about the upcoming series, which was written by acclaimed writer Kay Mellor.

The six-parter tells the story of three women of a ‘certain age’, who all arrive at different stumbling blocks in their lives, which they try to help one another through. Zoë plays one of the central characters, Gail.

Talking about what’s in store, she explains, ‘At the beginning, we find her about to get divorced from her second husband. It comes to a point where it’s very difficult, because she never thinks about herself. She’s constantly trying to juggle being a lollipop lady, having a grandson and a son, and a husband who she really loves. But the relationship of living together so tightly makes the priorities tip over.’