Amazing Jane

SHE MAY BE CELEBRATING HER 70TH BIRTHDAY EARLY NEXT YEAR, BUT THIS SCREEN ICON IS SHOWING NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN

- Melissa Field

She’s the famed English beauty whose career on screen has spanned more than five decades. And even as the industry changed beyond all recognition, Jane Seymour remained a film and TV fixture with stand-out roles in 1981 miniseries East of Eden – for which she won a Golden Globe – Dr Quinn, Medicine Woman, which aired on TV from 1993 to 1998, and 2005’s Wedding Crashers.

That Seymour, who also currently stars in The Kominsky Method on Netflix, avoided a career slowdown as she grew older is a testament to her versatility and talent. “I’m lucky enough to still be offered a lot of really wonderful roles,” she tells WHO during a Zoom call from her home in Malibu, California. “I’ve always played a lot of character roles in addition to leads. Just ask me to do an accent or give me a wig and I’m good to go!”

You’ll be celebrating a special birthday on February 15 next year. How do you feel about turning 70?

I have no idea how I’ll celebrate. I’m supposed to be in Spain filming a series [Glow and Darkness] about Saint Francis of Assisi so, COVID-19 permitting, I’ll be working I hope. We were filming in Madrid earlier this year, but had to stop abruptly when Spain closed down in March. As for my birthday, I’m sure I’ll celebrate it in my favourite way at some point … and that’s by spending it with my friends and family. I don’t have any issue with turning 70. I’m not going to name an age that I feel I’m closest to in my mind, but I’m grateful to still have a lot of energy. I don’t have any ailments that I know of. I feel incredibly fortunate to be healthy and very mobile.

You look incredible! What’s your secret?