Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes has said she is “really scared” Nigel Farage could one day become Prime Minister, describing the Reform UK leader as “wicked, dangerous, a liar” who is “anti everything except himself”.
The 85-year-old actress, known for her unfiltered opinions, made the comments ahead of the release of her fourth book, Miriam's Full English: A Grand Tour of All Our Best Bits, due out on September 3. She has three bestsellers to her name already.
Book success and political fears
Margolyes admitted she was surprised by her literary success: “I only started writing five years ago and I've made more money from my books than via my entire acting career. Isn't that madness?”
She said she was persuaded to write the new book by a “very good advance” from the publisher, adding: “I wanted to write something about the state of the world. I've kept in the filth because that sells the book.”
A lifelong Labour supporter, she welcomed Andy Burnham's appointment as Prime Minister: “I'm grateful Burnham has got in because it's giving Labour a chance. He appears to be bringing the H-word back - hope - to a lot of the country who feel like they have been left behind.”
Personal life and health
Margolyes, who has owned her Clapham townhouse since 1973, spoke tenderly about her partner of nearly 60 years, retired Australian professor Heather Sutherland. They entered a civil partnership in 2013 and have long lived in separate countries, which she credits for their lasting bond, but plans are now in place for them to live together full-time.
The actress, who lives with spinal stenosis, said: “I can't get out as much as I did - can't walk, can't really drive much, although I do a bit. But I'm really crippled.”
Career and legacy
Margolyes, who won a BAFTA for The Age of Innocence and played Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, said her role as Lady Whiteadder in Blackadder gave people the most joy, though fans ask her most about Harry Potter.
She also starred as Aunt Sponge in James and the Giant Peach, voiced Fly in Babe, and appeared in 2025 comedy drama A Friend of Dorothy alongside Stephen Fry and Alistair Nwachukwu. She named Bob Monkhouse as the best kisser she ever worked with.
Reflecting on ageing, she said: “Things don't get better as you age, they get worse. It's really crap getting older.” She added: “I want my legacy to be that I was a good actress who spoke truth to power.”
Her one-woman show, Full English Live, kicks off in Swansea on Tuesday.
