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Miriam Margolyes, a vibrant personality known for her bold storytelling and colorful on-screen presence, has captivated audiences for over seventy years through her extensive acting and television career. Yet, a new BBC documentary, Miriam Made Me Me, offers a rare glimpse into her private life, revealing a more introspective and vulnerable side of the beloved actress.
Originally intended as a podcast, the project evolved into an intimate film composed of FaceTime calls and candid conversations at home with her close friend Simon Draper, all recorded on his mobile phone. The documentary presents an authentic portrait of Margolyes as she reflects on her remarkable career, health struggles, and thoughts on mortality.
In one poignant scene, Miriam prepares for a spinal injection to alleviate pain, openly admitting her anxiety and joking that if anything were to go wrong, she’d like her last words to be, “Thank you, world, for a lovely ride.” Later, in a frank discussion about death, the 84-year-old shares her fears and frustrations, expressing a desire to live to 90 while still retaining her faculties.
“Death feels extremely close,” she confides. “I am scared of it, and I think I probably always will be…
I hope it happens without pain, without loss of dignity.”
Despite these contemplations, Margolyes continues to perform energetically on stage, drawing large audiences who appreciate her lengthy, spirited shows. The documentary also revisits highlights from her distinguished career, including notable roles in Blackadder, Vanity Fair, and the Harry Potter films. She hopes to be remembered foremost for her acting.
Raised in Oxford, Miriam attended Oxford High School before earning an English degree at Cambridge. There, she performed in the 1962 Footlights revue alongside future Monty Python and Goodies members, though as the only woman in the cast, she faced dismissive treatment. Shortly after moving to London, she joined the BBC Drama Repertory Company, launching a career that has scarcely paused since.
One touching moment captures Simon traveling to Australia to see her final show of the Australian tour at the Sydney Opera House, where she receives a warm reception. Backstage, she nervously packs spare navy underwear to manage occasional bladder leaks caused by a weak pelvic floor.
“I’m a little bit nervous,” she admits. “People come with expectations, but that moment where you can connect with people in a theatre is like no other.”
Margolyes also reveals that financial motivation played a major role in her recent venture into writing books in her eighties-a move that has brought her notable success. “I would have liked to be rich earlier. I am rich now… well, not that rich, but I got a quarter of a million for writing a book, then another quarter of a million for the next.”
At a London screening of the documentary, she hinted at slowing down her pace in the coming years to enjoy more quality time with her long-term partner, Heather Sutherland, marking a new chapter in a life marked by resilience, wit, and enduring talent.