Miriam Margolyes: The Unfiltered National Treasure Who Repeatedly Skirted Cancellation
Since ascending to prominence in the early 1990s, Miriam Margolyes has cultivated an extraordinary career in entertainment. Now widely regarded as a national treasure at 84 years old, the actress has garnered numerous accolades, including a prestigious BAFTA award for her role in The Age of Innocence back in 1993. Despite achieving international recognition, Margolyes has become equally famous for her remarkably outspoken and fearless personality, which has frequently landed her in hot water.
Her provocative statements have consistently ignited controversy and fueled public debate, bringing her perilously close to cancellation on multiple occasions. From confrontations with royalty to inflammatory political commentary and deliberately provocative opinions, she has made headlines repeatedly for all the wrong reasons. Here, we examine the specific incidents that nearly ended her career.
Boris Johnson Death Wish Controversy
Miriam Margolyes sparked more than five hundred formal complaints when she openly expressed her desire for former Prime Minister Boris Johnson to die from coronavirus. This shocking statement occurred during an appearance on Channel 4's The Last Leg, where she was discussing the government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnson had been hospitalized after contracting the virus in 2020.
Margolyes stated bluntly: 'Appallingly, of course, appallingly. It's a disgrace, it's a scandal. It's a public scandal.' She then revealed her internal conflict: 'I had difficulty not wanting Boris Johnson to die. I wanted him to die. Then I thought that will reflect badly on me and I don't want to be the sort of person that wants people to die. So then I wanted him to get better, which he did do, he did get better. But he didn't get better as a human being. And I really would prefer that.'
Scathing Attack on Jewish People
In a particularly explosive interview, Margolyes launched a fierce attack on Jewish people, claiming their 'essential decency and compassion has been squeezed out... evaporated.' When questioned about comments made in 2024, where she suggested Hitler's impact could be seen in Israel becoming a 'vicious, genocidal, nationalist nation,' the Harry Potter star expressed no regrets, insisting 'because I know I'm right.'
During an appearance on the Adam Buxton podcast, she admitted her outspoken views had cost her friendships, specifically mentioning 'one in particular, who is Jewish and lives in Israel.' Margolyes elaborated: 'I'm terribly sad that I've offended some people, but to me, they proved that Hitler had won, and that, for me, was such a shock that really hurt me, because I didn't want to think that was possible. But it's true, the essential decency and compassion of the Jewish people has been squeezed out, evaporated, and it is a terribly sad thing. But if I don't speak out against what I think is wrong, who am I?'
Born into a Jewish family in Oxford, Margolyes has grown increasingly vocal about her hostility toward Israel in recent years. She described being 'deeply hurt' by losing friends who objected to her remarks following the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack on Israel. The former close friend told her: 'I don't want to be friends anymore, go well on your journey, don't contact me again.' Margolyes reflected: 'That was, and is a deep hurt, and that doesn't go away, but I can't help it because I know I'm right. I don't know that I'm right about everything, but I do know that I'm right about the immorality of the Israeli position on Gaza and the activities of the Netanyahu government. That I know for sure they have done wrong.'
Expletive-Laden Outburst Against Jeremy Hunt
Miriam Margolyes shocked BBC Radio 4 listeners by revealing what she 'really wanted to say' to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt. Hunt had been interviewed by journalist Justin Webb about economic strategy on the Today Programme just before Margolyes appeared. Although she was on the show to discuss the passing of her friend, Harry Potter actor Robbie Coltrane, she diverted dramatically.
She told Justin Webb: 'I never thought I'd be sitting in the seat... [that Jeremy Hunt was sat in]. When I saw him there I just said 'you've got a hell of a job, the best of luck', and what I really wanted to say was 'f*** you, you b*****d!' But you can't say that.' The BBC later stated that Margolyes told producers she mistakenly believed she was off air, despite being warned moments earlier by broadcaster Martha Kearney that they were still live.
Controversial Remarks About Charles Dickens' Fagin
In 2024, the BBC removed a comment by Margolyes from broadcast after she described Charles Dickens' Fagin as 'Jewish and vile' on air. The Jewish actress was speaking to Front Row about her earliest experiences with Dickens during promotion for her Edinburgh Fringe show Margolyes & Dickens: The Best Bits. When asked by BBC Radio 4 presenter Kirsty Wark which character stuck with her from childhood, she named the Oliver Twist villain.
The broadcaster subsequently edited the comment out, acknowledging it should have been challenged during recording. Margolyes sparked audience laughter with her remark: 'Oh, Fagin. Without question. Jewish and vile.' She added: 'I didn't know Jews like that then – sadly, I do now.' Fagin remains one of English literature's most despised characters, with Dickens employing anti-Semitic Victorian tropes to create the manipulative criminal who oversees child pickpockets.
Being Told to 'Be Quiet' by Queen Elizabeth
In a 2022 interview with The Times, Margolyes revealed that the late Queen Elizabeth once told her to 'be quiet' during a meeting at Buckingham Palace for British Book Week. Margolyes recalled: 'The Queen told me to 'be quiet'. It shocked me because I hadn't quite realised how rude I was being. I was waffling on when she was talking to somebody else, and I was overriding that rudely. But it wasn't deliberate – I wasn't meaning to be rude. I say what I think and I don't care how it comes out. Sometimes it comes out in a way that people find very upsetting and offensive, and I'm sorry about that, but what I say is the truth.'
Provocative Dating Advice on This Morning
During an appearance on This Morning, Margolyes faced backlash for offering controversial dating advice that included telling one caller to 'lose weight' and suggesting another volunteer at 'a centre for disadvantaged, poor people and cripples.' She continued: 'You might meet another cripple, but that doesn't matter. Lose a bit of weight and wash. Wash very carefully, all the crevices, all the bits you find difficult to reach. Wash!'
Criticising Adult Harry Potter Fans
Margolyes angered adult Harry Potter enthusiasts by asserting they should be 'over' the books since they are 'for children.' The actress, who played Professor Sprout in the film adaptations, acknowledged the franchise was 'wonderful' and expressed gratitude, but insisted in an interview with New Zealand's 1News: 'I worry about Harry Potter fans. They should be over that by now. It was 25 years ago and it's for children. I think it's for children. But they get stuck in it and I do cameos and people say 'Oh we are having a Harry Potter-themed wedding' and I think 'gosh what's their first night of fun going to be. I can't even think about it.' Harry Potter is wonderful, I'm very grateful to it, it's over.'
Throughout her career, Miriam Margolyes has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to speaking her mind, regardless of consequences. While this authenticity has endeared her to many as a national treasure, it has simultaneously brought her to the brink of professional cancellation on numerous occasions, creating a complex legacy of both admiration and controversy.
