Miriam Margolyes Confronts Mortality in Candid BBC Documentary
In a remarkably intimate new BBC documentary, national treasure Miriam Margolyes reveals a vulnerable side rarely seen by the public, discussing her mortality with characteristic candour and humour. The film, titled Miriam Made Me Me, offers a fresh perspective on the actress known for her seven-decade career and unfiltered personality.
An Organic Production Journey
The documentary began unexpectedly as a potential podcast project before evolving into a full BBC production. Filmed primarily through FaceTime conversations and smartphone footage captured by her friend Simon Draper at her home, the film presents an authentic, unvarnished portrait of Margolyes away from the spotlight.
At one poignant moment, viewers witness Margolyes preparing for a spinal injection to manage chronic pain. As she heads to her taxi, she admits feeling "anxious and frightened" and darkly jokes about potential complications, suggesting her final words should be: "Thank you world, for a lovely ride."
Confronting Mortality with Candour
During a conversation with Draper, the 84-year-old actress addresses her mortality directly. "Death feels extremely close," she states. "Death feels round the corner, behind the bush just up the road. I am scared of it, and I think I probably always will be, and I'm cross about death. It's a bit of a liberty to close me up to stop me."
Margolyes expresses hope for reaching ninety while maintaining her faculties, declaring: "I would like to be 90 and still myself. I don't want to be 90 and be a babbling twat." She acknowledges the universal desire for a pain-free, dignified passing while admitting she'll be sad when her time comes.
Career Reflections and Personal Revelations
The documentary explores Margolyes' remarkable career, including memorable roles in:
- Blackadder
- Vanity Fair
- The Harry Potter franchise
She admits wanting to be remembered primarily for her acting work, despite her contemporary reputation for saucy anecdotes and on-screen swearing. The film traces her journey from Oxford High School through Cambridge University, where she performed in the 1962 Footlights show alongside future Monty Python members, though she recalls being treated with contempt as the only female performer.
Personal Challenges and Connections
Viewers witness Margolyes preparing for a Sydney Opera House performance during an Australian tour, packing spare navy knickers due to occasional bladder issues from a weak pelvic floor. Despite nerves, she describes the unique connection of live theatre: "That moment where you can connect with people in a theatre is like no other. I feel completely involved."
A particularly moving segment shows Margolyes visiting childhood friend Joyce Wiggins in a Sydney care home. Their warm conversation about old times leads Margolyes to reflect: "That's what my life has been, trying to make people laugh and feel better." The documentary is dedicated to Wiggins, who passed away after filming concluded.
Financial Success in Later Years
The film reveals Margolyes' unexpected financial success through Cameo videos, where fans pay for personalised messages. She discloses earning over £320,000 from the platform, noting she clears approximately £100 per £127 video. "All anyone wants to talk about is money," she remarks bluntly.
This financial motivation extended to her writing career, which began in her eighties. "I would have liked to be rich earlier," she admits, revealing she received £250,000 advances for each of her successful books.
Future Plans and Final Projects
At a London screening, Margolyes outlined her forthcoming projects, suggesting a potential slowdown to spend more time with long-term partner Heather Sutherland. She's writing what she believes will be her final book, describing it as "quite filthy and quite political," acknowledging that "filth sells" while lamenting society's reluctance to openly discuss sexuality.
Her upcoming national tour, Miriam's Full English, will visit thirty-six cities across England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, including sold-out shows at the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall. The tour title playfully examines contemporary questions about English identity, referencing the traditional breakfast while exploring national belonging.
Miriam Made Me Me presents a multifaceted portrait of an entertainment icon confronting aging with humour, honesty, and continued creative vitality, offering audiences unprecedented access to her private reflections and enduring spirit.
