Dame Helen Mirren, the acclaimed actress with a six-decade-long glittering career in film, television, and theatre, has shared an exclusive insight into her life on set and her determination to avoid retirement. At 80 years old, she is currently filming the second series of the Paramount+ drama MobLand, where she plays Maeve Harrigan, an Irish gangland matriarch alongside Pierce Brosnan.
Champagne Toasts for Topless Scenes
Reflecting on her 2003 movie Calendar Girls, which featured fellow dames Julie Walters, Celia Imrie, and Penelope Wilton as middle-aged Yorkshire women creating a nude calendar for cancer awareness, Mirren revealed a unique tradition. She instituted a get-together where the cast opened three bottles of champagne to toast each actress after she completed a topless shot. "We did have fun," she says, "because back then, it was so rare to even have one other woman in a film with you."
She explains that the film industry was once dominated by male casts, with roles for women being scarce and unfair. Calendar Girls marked a turning point, showcasing strong female characters and paving the way for more inclusive storytelling. Mirren notes that today, projects like MobLand offer great women's roles, but she cherishes the camaraderie of that earlier experience.
Swerving Retirement with MobLand
In MobLand, Mirren's character Maeve Harrigan has just been released from jail, though the series never explains how. She describes the role as "dreadful and so full of agency," which she loves because it helps her avoid being "gotten retired" in the business. "You 'get retired' in a way in this industry," she says. "That's why you want to play characters with agency and importance."
Working with Pierce Brosnan again is a highlight for Mirren, who praises him as a great actor and true professional. She adds that his enthusiasm for the craft is not always common, making their collaboration even more rewarding.
Starstruck Moments and Career Highlights
Despite her stellar 60-year career, which includes performing alongside titans like Sir Laurence Olivier and Dame Judi Dench, Mirren admits she still gets starstruck. She mentions feeling intimidated by big movie stars such as Harrison Ford and Nick Cage, often becoming tongue-tied out of embarrassment.
Her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 movie The Queen earned her an Oscar, and she is thrilled to still land leading roles. She recalls how women were often neglected before Calendar Girls, with films typically featuring 20 men and one woman. "It would enrage me for all the wonderful actresses I had worked with over the years who just could not find employment," she says.
From Humble Beginnings to Stardom
Growing up in Southend-on-Sea with limited means, Mirren never imagined becoming an actress. Her passion was ignited at age 13 when her mother took her to see Hamlet, a production that overwhelmed her with its poetry and story. Inspired by her English teacher, Mrs. Welding, she secretly auditioned for the National Youth Theatre in London at 17 and was accepted, playing Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
She laughs about her early career in the 1970s, when the British film industry was dominated by Carry On films and low-budget genres. "At that time, all the good work, good writing, and good directors were working on television," she notes. Her breakthrough came in 1990 with the role of DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect, which taught her everything about working on camera and challenged norms by featuring a single woman leading a drama.
Fast and Furious Adventures
Mirren's repertoire expanded to include action hits like the Fast & Furious franchise, where she has starred in four of the 11 movies. She joined the series after asking Vin Diesel at a party, and he created a role for her. Although she initially hoped to drive a car fast, she found herself in the back of an ambulance with Jason Statham. "The male actors love me on set," she says. "I know they think I am more grand than I actually am."
She humorously relates this to her birth, which was the fastest on record at Queen Charlotte hospital, taking only 20 minutes. "I am late and then I get it done really quickly," she laughs. "I procrastinate and then I have to do it really fast. And nothing has changed!"
With awards including a Damehood in 2003 and ongoing projects like MobLand, Helen Mirren continues to inspire with her resilience and passion for acting, proving that age is no barrier to a vibrant career.
