Actress Hermione Norris has opened up about the impact of a loved one's suicide on her faith, ahead of her participation in the BBC series Pilgrimage. The Cold Feet and Spooks star, who was raised Christian, said the experience made her question organized religion.
Norris, 57, explained that someone close to her took their own life when she was younger. She found the condemnation surrounding suicide challenging. 'I just don't believe in shame and condemning. I don't like that. It doesn't sit comfortably with me,' she said. 'I just believe in love and tolerance, and I find Christianity is quite condemning and judgmental.'
After the loss, Norris explored various religions to understand their views on death and the afterlife. 'There wasn't really any religion that felt right. It all felt pretty harsh,' she said. While she described her faith as 'the most significant relationship in my life', she added that she is 'not a religious person'.
Norris is joining other celebrities, including Love Island's Tasha Ghouri, soap star Patsy Kensit, and Diversity's Ashley Banjo, on a 12-day trek through North East England. The group will visit landmarks such as Whitby Abbey and Durham Cathedral, ending at the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Reflecting on the experience, Norris said: 'It was just an amazing opportunity to listen to other people's experiences and to really think about my faith and what that means to me. It's been very clarifying.'
For emotional support, the Samaritans can be contacted 24/7 on 116 123 or via jo@samaritans.org.
