Dame Joanna Lumley has delivered a blistering assessment of humanity's impact on the world, describing people as 'unbearably vain and destructive' and suggesting we would be viewed as a plague by any non-human historian.
Spiritual beliefs and ghostly encounters
Speaking to Radio Times, the beloved actress confirmed her belief in the supernatural while promoting her role in A Ghost Story For Christmas: The Room In The Tower. 'I do believe that there are ghosts,' Lumley affirmed, connecting this to a broader spiritual awareness.
She elaborated on this perspective, noting that 'All those great creators believed in gods. They had a sense of godliness. And I think if we skip out on that, we're missing out on something.' This spiritual dimension forms part of her broader worldview that informs her environmental concerns.
A stark warning about human impact
The actress didn't hold back in her criticism of humanity's relationship with the planet. 'We've become unbearably vain and destructive and we can't remember how to stop destroying,' she lamented.
Lumley offered a particularly striking analogy for human behaviour: 'If history could be written by anything other than human beings, we would be seen as a plague, unable to stop breeding, to stop destroying, using up, never replacing.'
Despite this harsh assessment, she expressed hope that change remains possible. 'We've got to strive not to be completely bloody, to make amends for humans' dreadfulness to each other and the planet,' she urged, calling for collective action and responsibility.
Return to television with chilling drama
The interview coincides with Lumley's appearance in Mark Gatiss's 'spine-chilling' adaptation of E.F. Benson's 1912 short story The Room In The Tower. This marks Gatiss's eighth BBC Christmas ghost story adaptation.
Lumley stars opposite Tobias Menzies in the production, which details the story of Roger Winstanley and an unseen terror. The actress revealed her personal fondness for frightening stories, making this role particularly fitting.
Meanwhile, fans of the actress have more to look forward to as she will also appear in the Amandaland Christmas special alongside her Absolutely Fabulous co-star Jennifer Saunders. The BBC has confirmed the hit sitcom, starring Lucy Punch, will return for a second season in 2026.
This Christmas special marks the first scripted on-screen reunion for Saunders and Lumley since 2016's Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. Saunders will play Aunt Joan, described as 'a ball of country-living, enthusiastic upper-class bluster' who serves as sister to Lumley's character Felicity.
Saunders expressed excitement about the collaboration, saying: 'I am delighted to be joining the fabulous Amandaland gang for a Christmas special. Playing Joanna's on-screen sister is guaranteed to be a laugh, who doesn't love a family reunion SoHa style!'
