Harriet Webb, the actor known for roles in I May Destroy You and Big Boys, has spoken about a drama teacher who told her she needed to lose 10 stone to succeed in acting. In an interview, Webb said the advice came during her time at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and that she ultimately rejected it, calling the moment 'the making of me'.
Webb, born in Lancashire in 1986, described a childhood filled with creativity and support. She credited her auntie Pat, an art teacher, with encouraging her imagination and giving her the belief that she could do anything. Webb also recalled being inspired by her brother's performance in a school play, which sparked her desire to become an actor.
Reflecting on her early career, Webb said she was stubborn enough to know she didn't need to change her appearance to succeed. 'I was good, and knew that people would recognise that no matter what size I was,' she said. The actor also mentioned being inspired by Michaela Coel and Danny Dyer, and joked about a 'terrible' arm tattoo she got in Berlin.
Webb studied at Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, describing it as a melting pot of artists. After graduating, she lived in a cold house in Finchley with friends, working as a teacher and a restaurant host while pursuing acting. Her breakthrough role came in 2020 as Theodora in Michaela Coel's Bafta-winning series I May Destroy You.
