That Gaby Roslin Podcast: Reasons To Be Joyful - Joanne Froggatt

Episode Date: November 15, 2021

In this episode Gaby chats with actress Joanne Froggatt. They talk all about 'Downton Abbey' - the TV show and the movies - the sequel which comes out March 2022 and she gives a few clues about what will be in the highly anticipated second film. She shares the funniest story about when Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visited the Downton set and how close the cast all are to each other. She talks about leaving home aged 13, starring in 'Coronation street' as a teenager, her phenomenal TV show 'Liar' and the brilliant 'Angela Black' which is available now on the ITV Hub. She also tells Gaby about her Golden Globe win and how she likes to push the narrative for women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hello and welcome to That Gabby Rosen podcast, part of the A-Cast Creator Network. The very lovely Joanne Froggart, or as her co-stars on Downton, like to call her, Joffro, is my guest on this week's episode. Of course, we talk all about Downton Abbey, the TV show and the movies. The sequel comes out in March 22, and she gives us a few clues about what will be in the highly anticipated second film. She shares the funniest story about when Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, visited the Downton set. The cast all giggling while filming

and how close they all are to each other. We chat about her leaving home at 13, starring in Coronation Street as a teenager, her phenomenal TV show, Laya, and the brilliant Angela Black, which is available now on the ITV hub. She tells me about her Golden Globe win and about how she likes to push the narrative for women.

But we start with another of her TV shows, Bob the Builder. Please can I ask you a favor? Would you mind following and subscribing, please? By clicking the follow or subscribe button. This is completely and utterly free, by the way. And you can also rate and review on Apple Podcasts, which is the purple app on your iPhone or iPad.

Simply scroll down to the bottom of all of the episodes. I know there have been quite a few now. And you'll see the stars where you can tap and rate and also please write a review. Thank you so much. Yes, yes. I'm Wendy in all the sort of the new version. Oh. Yeah.

See, because I, it's very funny because doing all my research on you because you're just such a lovely being, you really are. And I was doing all my research and I saw that in America and everywhere it says at the top, golden globe winner and then your name. And all the interviews every time you go in and I thought, no, I'm going to start with Bob the builder. Keeping it real. Saying it real. When I said to my kids that I was speaking to you today, they said, oh, oh, obviously they talked about Downton. My eldest daughter talked about liar, which we were obsessed with. I showed her the sneaky, we got a sneaky link for Angela Black.

It's like Hitchcock. I mean, it's so gripping. and both of my kids who want to be actors said she has the perfect CV. Oh, that is so sweet. That's so lovely to hear. Well, what a lovely compliment. And, you know, how old are your kids, Gabby? 20 and 14.

And they both want to be in the industry. They're still at that age where they tell the truth, I hope. Oh, completely. Oh, no, we are a house of super fans. And I was trying to work out what your superfans would be called. Would they be called Froggies or something? I don't know. I mean, my nickname, my work nickname is Jofro.

It always seems to go from one job to another. It started on Downton. So, I don't know. I mean, with Brendan from Downton that plays Mr. Bates, we call his fan club the Mr Baiters. Oh, yes. So, you know, but I can't think of anything quite as apt for me. But yeah, his fans are often women.

So, yeah, the Mr. Bates is. Yeah, so, yeah, I don't know. I don't know what mind me. But, yeah, I don't know. Froggies, that's quite a cute one. Okay, well, we'll be Joe Froes or Froggies. But you know what you, with you telling me about the Mr. Baiters, it obviously leads to every Dubalantanjah that I've seen.

You love a dobel entendre because there's that. fantastic story of you and the Duchess and Kate Middleton. Oh my goodness. Yes. Yes, that was one of my better foot in my mouth moments, which there have been many. Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, Kate Middleton came for a set visit onto the Downton set quite a few years ago. And me and Michelle Dockery were filming a scene. We were doing a Lady Mary's bedroom scene and everybody else was sort of brought in to meet and greet

and we were carrying on with the filming day. So when, obviously, you know, there's a lot of security that comes in days before and police and sniffer dogs and, you know, everything to make sure everything's safe and sound. And so it's a real process, you know, before you actually get the visit.

And then there's this guy that kind of comes in as we're filming going, right, she'll be hearing 30 seconds, 30 seconds, See, like, oh, okay, right. 20 seconds. You're like, okay, right, 10 seconds. Okay, fine. So me and Michelle are doing the scene,

and Kate Middleton walks in while we're doing it, sort of watches. And at the end, we come over and, you know, say hello. And she says, oh, it feels ever so strange to be in your bedroom. And I was like, yes, not many people get to come in Lady Mary's bedroom. And then I just stopped what I said. And I was just literally, my mouth, I think I could see a twinkle in her eye because I didn't realize what it said until it was out of my mouth.

And then my jaw just dropped open and I just thought, Joe, stop talking. Just stop. Don't start saying, I didn't mean that. Just stop. So, yeah, that was one of my greatest,

one of my good foot in the mouth moments. Oh, you see, those are those moments that. Also, you'll never forget that. Even if it hadn't been hurt, you never forget those moments because I think, do belong to Tondra, when you're really not expecting it to appear,

just the funniest thing. I imagine that you're an unbelievable giggler on set as well. I am a little bit, yes, I'm a little bit. I mean, you know, we're all very professional. Of course, oh, of course. Like, you know, we get our job, you know, get the job done. But of course there's days, you know, where you're a little bit bored or there's, you know, you haven't got much to do.

All those days where you just get incredibly tired, you know, because you're sort of filming long hours and you often get a lot of, you know, very charismatic people on set. So there's often a lot of real communication. And yeah, once I start, it's very difficult. It's very difficult to stop with the giggles, yes. But it's a nice release when it happens. Well, so the time that we met, you were with, there was you, Dan and Alan,

and you, they were winding you up and you were laughing so much. You probably have no recollection of this, but you were laughing so much. And I was just standing, and I thought, oh my God, I'm not going to be able to do this interview. And they were, they were teasing you and winding you are. that we all ended up in fits of hysterics. And then I went on and interviewed them both again separately. And they said that all they remember,

you know, some of their happiest times at Downton were just the fun that you guys all had and the laughter. I mean, on Downton, we did and we do, you know, have the most ridiculous fun. I mean, we really do. And we've just gone back to do the second Downton movie, comes out in March. And it was, it was just such a, it was such a joy to be on set with those people

because we've all worked together for, you know, 12 years on and off. And we know each other so well. And like you say, we've got a lot of, like, very charismatic personalities in that show. And I mean, I laughed till I cried many, many days on the shoot for the, for the movie, the second movie. Yeah. Was it lovely being all together again? It was.

It's, you know, it really is. like a reunion and um you know i just think it's um liking it to going back to school after the summer holidays or something you know it's sort of really nice to catch up and you really quickly fall into fall into those you know tight relationships again so yeah it's it's a real it's a real pleasure everybody's so excited about that film and they you know it is it is amazing how you know there are some shows that go down in television history. And Downton is there, probably, I would say, in the top 10 most popular, most talked about, most love shows in television history, I don't think I'm exaggerating that at all. No, I guess, I guess it is. I guess it would be. And,

you know, it's an incredible thing to have been a part of that and to always be, you know, affiliated with that. And I think Downton came at the right time. We'd had a lot of, you know, reality TV had really sort of made its mark in the years previous to Downton being on air.

And, you know, lots of the TV channels weren't spending as much on drama because this sort of reality TV was cheaper to make and it got great viewing figures and it was sort of the fashion at the time. So when ITV did invest, you know, that

that money and time into downtown, I think it was a little, it sort of felt like, I'm sure it felt like a little bit of a risk for them at the time, but it absolutely paid off. And it was part of, it was part of the start of a sort of new age of drama on, on television and really getting,

getting back to, you know, putting that out there for viewers to see again. So it was, it was an amazing experience, you know, something I'll always be forever grateful for. I love, I love when you do. talk about it. I know I can't see you, but I can almost feel your eyes twinkling and this sort of big smile on your face because you can tell that everybody was a part of it. You knew

how huge it was, but it was, you didn't see it like that. You saw it as just something that you all loved being a part of. Yeah, exactly. And, you know, I do always have a smile on my face when I talk about it because I just have so many fond memories of working on that show and with that group of people, our cast and crew, because a lot of our crew for the series were with us from the first day of series one through to the final day of series six. So we really were a great team, you know, and it was, it was a slow burn, the success of Downton. So, well, it wasn't a slow burn. I guess it was a quick burn, but it was a sort of snowball effect. Like at first, we thought, oh, yeah, we've got a really great show. We hope people like it. And then people did in the UK. And then it was going to be aired in the US. And we thought,

oh, that's great that we're going to, you know, be, have a sort of, a platform out there and it'd be nice if people saw it. And then obviously it sort of hit big in the US, which was the snowball effect for it sort of selling to, you know, all territories pretty much across the world. So, but whenever we got back on set to do, you know, the next series, we, all of that just went away, you know, we didn't think about any of that. We were only aware of it really when we were doing the press tours and the press for the new series coming out. But when we were actually filming, we were all just back to work and enjoying, you know, creating the show.

So it was lovely. We had a great, you know, we were lucky that we had such a group of Downsworth, brilliant actors and such a brilliant talented crew, I guess. It's very funny because now years ago, if you ever went to the States, people, I mean, if one went to the States and you're from the UK, they'd always say, oh, hi. Do you know the royal family? And now it's sort of, oh, hi, do you know Downton Abbey? Do you know the people? Yes. It's as important to them as the royal family, which is really quite wonderful.

Let, can we, are we going to talk about Angela Black because people are going to, yes. People are going to love it as much as they did liar. And liar, I was obsessed. So obsessed with Downton. Oh, thank you. So Downton was my bubble bath. Liar was my seat of the power.

I just, oh my God, that was so good. And Angela Black is going to do the same thing again. It's going to be the show that everybody talks about. That must be quite, you must know that. As an actor, you must know it after, because you've been in so many successes, and obviously Sherwood and Dark Angel and all of the things that you're going to do

and that you do. You must know that these are, all going to hit a nerve and people are going to take them to their heart? I mean, you never 100% know because obviously depends so much on timing and, you know, and publicity and that everyone knows about the show and all that stuff. But, you know, I really, I'm so excited about Angela Black. I'm not surprised. It's just, as you said, it's a real, it's a real Hitchcockian kind of pace of a thriller.

And, you know, Lyre was a thriller based around, um, sexual assault and Angela Black is a thriller based around domestic abuse, the subject of domestic abuse. And obviously it's written by the same writing team, Harry and Jack Williams, and I'm the lead in both. But both shows are incredibly different and they wrote such a different character. The pace of it is incredibly different. But I think the difference is, and Jack and Harry are just, you know, the top of their game with writing thrillers for TV. They just come with these stories. And I say to them, I'm like, how do you think this up? Like, it's incredible.

And they also have, you know, they write really brilliantly for women. Lots of their shows, you know, certainly the ones I've been involved in. You know, they are this incredible sort of edge of your seat, story, thriller, but also have that underlying message or issue running through, which they seem to be incredibly timely about as well. So it just adds like, it adds an extra layer for me as an act as a sort of, makes it sort of easier to make a three-dimensional, three-dimensional character because they just sort of write this background so well. There's always, it's always based in a situation. But I think the difference with Lyre and Angela Black is in, in terms of how the story unfolds and the structure of it is Lyre, there's this big, big thing that happens at the beginning and it's this big catalyst for the.

unravelling. Whereas with Angela Black, we meet her and it's sort of like, it's a, it's a slower unraveling. So it's sort of one thing happens. Then she becomes suspicious about her husband and then something else happens. Then she meets another character who is a, um, a private detective and tells her other things about her husband that she was unaware of. And it's sort of a, it's, it's not just one big thing that happens. It's, it's numerous things. So it's a really, really satisfying and ruffling of the story. So where do they, you said when you speak to them and say, where do you get this from? What's their answer?

Because they are brilliant writers. You are a brilliant actress. So don't put yourself down and say it's all about the writing. But the team together, obviously you create magic. But where do they get these stories from? I mean, their stories are so beautifully crafted. I mean, there's so much. they always, this is a funny thing to say, but I think you know what I mean,

they always give you the satisfying conclusion that some dramas, you think, oh no, no, why did it end like that? That wasn't, I don't feel satiated, I don't feel satisfied, but they give, oh, I said, yeah, double entendre, they give good satisfaction. They do. They know how to satisfy. You said that.

They'll be very pleased. I'll be very pleased. But like you say, it is the most unsatisfying thing, isn't it? when you really enjoy a show and you get to the end and you go, oh, they hadn't really worked that out, or it was a very unsatisfying conclusion. Because you just go, oh, I've really invested in this. I really wanted my, you know, my conclusion.

And it's always a disappointment. So Jack and Harry, you know, never, never do that to an audience. They've always, they've always got a, you know, a good ending worked out. And I've asked them many times where they get, you know, the ideas from. And the thing with Jack and Harry is when you meet them in real life, are the most witty pair and because they are brothers as well, they just banter so much between each other. So for two people that write all this sort of very dark, in-depth, deep content, they couldn't be more different in real life. So I've never actually managed to get a straight

answer out of them. They just sort of say, oh, yeah, whatever, you know, just kind of, it just comes to us in a dream or whatever. So it's a different answer every time. So I've never quite, got to the bottom a bit. But they're very good at it. Yeah, they should just carry on doing it. So I want to go back to the beginning of your career. You know, it's such huge shows, but Coronation Street being a teenage mum in Coronation Street when you were, well, you were a teenager yourself, weren't you? Were you 18? I was 16. 16. 16. 16 when I started. I was 18 when I left about 18 months on and off. Yeah.

And because you also, I mean, you left home to go to drama school when you were 13. So, and then three years later, you're in the biggest show on television. Did it all,

was it slightly pinched me or did you just go, this is a job? I know, it was very much pinched me. I was, um, yeah, I'd, I'd done one episode of the bill before that.

And that was the only job I'd done, professional job. Um, and so when I, sort of landed the role on Coronation Street. Originally, it was supposed to be for three episodes, and it lasted 18 months on and off. So it was kind of good because I was so nervous and shy about doing it.

And obviously, at the age of 16, you kind of go into, you know, walk into the building, that was then Granada, and there's all the pictures of the great icons of Corey up on the walls and stuff. And it does feel, you know, I did just feel incredibly overwhelmed. like this is strange um but yeah i think if they'd have told me from the beginning that i was going to be doing 18 months and that my storylines were were going to be as dramatic as they were i'd have been too scared to take it on board but they were actually really really great with me um

we were in a time you know before social media and all that stuff so i didn't have anywhere near the pressure that the people have now on kind of doing interviews and people being interested in my personal life and, you know, they've really kept me very protected and they gave me sort of small storylines and then I'd go away for a bit, then I'd come back and it'd give me a bit more to do. And I don't know whether it was planned that way or not, whether it just happened to work out that way. But I did feel really nurtured there and I learned so much. And it was a great experience for me at the time. And I worked with really great actors. And they really taught me the technicalities of being in front of a camera and doing your homework because there's no rehearsal time.

You have to do your homework. You rehearse with each other. You take it on, you know, on your own account to rehearse with each other. And it was, yeah, I learned a great work ethic as well. So it was a great experience. You're right. I'm saying, you know, that was, I mean, it's not that long ago. but no social media and no press intrusion.

I mean, how you cope with the press intrusion. I hate it. I personally hate when I do all my research on everybody because for this podcast, we only speak to people that we really like and we want to have on the podcast. Oh, thank you. And no, it's completely true. So it means I have to immerse myself in that person

and I'm doing all my research. And I just, I couldn't, I tell you what I couldn't, I mean, we don't talk about your private life on this. This is, I'm not interested. It's your, that's the thing, private life. So I'm not even going to talk about this. Thank you, Gabi. But what I can't get over is the thing about your age.

The amount of people go on, well, oh, how do you feel about turning 40? How do you? Oh, it was sort of like there everywhere and I thought, shut up. And then your answers, I cheered. So when I was on my laptop, reading about it. And I was cheering you saying, what are you all going on about? Because when you were 39, they were saying, how will you feel next year about turning 40?

What on earth is their problem? Get over it. Oh, I know. It's ridiculous. It's one of my pet hates, which is why I've sort of spoken out about it a little bit because I'm just like, guys, like, you know, I mean, it's just so archaic to be talking about a woman in terms of age in that way. Because if all we have to offer as women is, are we still going to be sexually attractive, you know, over a certain age? It's like, well, judge me on my talent, on my career and what I've been.

achieved. I think I look pretty good for 40. So I'm quite, I'm quite happy with that. And I certainly am so grateful for being happy, healthy. You know, I think it's just such a, kind of an ignorant way to think of it to say, always 40, you know, going to be a bad thing. It's like, no, 40's a great thing because I'm healthy. I'm living my life. I've got a career I love. I'm, I'm so fortunate. You know, I have my health and so many people, as we know, over the the past 18 months as it's, you know, been even more at the forefront, have not. And to say that, you know, there's something negative about getting older and wiser is just ridiculous to me. It is extraordinary how they do for women and they don't do this for men. And I know from

personal experience. Men never get asked. They don't, never. And they always say, never, never. So at the top of everything, it will say your name and age and then the article. Age is a number. And you're young and vibrant and excited, whatever age you are. And exciting, you know, if you're 60 as an actress, you want to be, I presume you want to be an actress when you're 70, when you're 80, look at Dame Maggie who you work with. Exactly. And I do, I want to do this forever for as long as I'm able. And I mean, in some ways, I guess it's a positive because I think maybe people focus on my age because touch would. They don't know too much about my personal life. So it's something, you know, it's something to give a headline about or whatever. So, and, you know, if that's good to. say, then that's fine by me. But you're right, you know, men never get asked the same questions about age, about children, about, you know, it's, you know, we're still got a long way to go in terms of how we push the narrative of women in the media, certainly. It's changed, you know,

times haven't changed that much in terms of that. So, but there we go. So how, your family, so you came from, um, I right, there was a small, you know, Your parents had a small farm. They had a shop and then a small farm. Is that right? A sheep farm. Yes, that's right. Love that.

Love that. So do they find all of this extraordinary, all your family? They do a little bit. I mean, obviously, not so much now. I think they did when I first started. But now, obviously, you know, I've been doing it all my life, really, all my adult life, certainly, and a little bit before. So they're just incredibly supportive. and incredibly proud of me.

And it's been fantastic to always have their support. And my parents always told me you should have a go at what you want to do in life and, you know, give it a try. The worst that happens is you fail. And if you succeed, then great. So, yeah, I've just, I've always been brought up with that mindset, which I'm really, really grateful for. And, yeah, I've just been lucky to have that emotional support from them, I guess.

So at 13, as I said before, you went off to drama school. You left home and you went to drama school. That's, I mean, I'm going to use the word brave. And people say that, you know, people use the word brave too often. But it is quite a brave thing. A 13 years old. And for your parents to know that this is, to support you in that and say, this is what you really want to do.

What made you do that? Was there something? Was there a teacher at school? Was there something you thought this is what I want to do? Or was it was just there and you knew it? Yeah, it was something I kind of always wanted to be an actress since I was as young as I could remember just from watching movies and television shows.

And when I went to secondary school when I was 11 in Whitby, we had a head teacher called David Bradley, who was very into drama. And he set up a drama group outside of school, which was connected with the theatre in the round in Scotland. Barbara. So I joined that and I just loved it and I found out through that group about something called the stage newspaper, which apparently had auditions in. So I then requested with my parents the local newsagent to order me in the stage every month. And yeah, and so the auditions were sort of more for dancers and definitely much more like, you know, for grownups, not for 11 year olds.

But in that paper, they were adverts for stage schools. And so that's where I got the idea from I was like, oh my goodness, this, this is what I want to do. So I got the idea when I was 11 and said to my parents, I want to go to stage school. And they just said, oh, okay, fine, because they thought I'd lose it. Well, they thought I'd lose interest. So they knew I was quite stubborn, I think. So they thought, oh, she'll never, she'll never follow it through. So they just said, okay, well, we're not helping you with it.

If you're interested, you know, do whatever it is you need to do to find out about it. So I did and I wrote off to numerous different stage schools and got prospectuses and then I decided on one Redroof's Theatre School which is the one I ended up going to I decided that I liked the sound of that one the most because it sort of had a friendly feel about all the information and so I wrote to them and asked if I could audition and then I got an audition and then my parents were like oh my God she's got an audition So my mum then had to sort of say, okay, I'll travel down to Berkshire with you

and we'll do the audition, which I did. And then I got in, I got offered a place. And then it was basically, you know, my parents then had to sort of sit and go, okay, well, it's not just school fees,

but it's boarding fees as well because it's five hours away from where I grew up. So they couldn't afford to pay for both things. So then my parents did step in and help me with contacting the council and writing letters to the council, I eventually ended up getting a grant from the local council to pay for the school fees

and auditioning for them because they didn't have grants for 12-year-olds because, you know, nobody really needed them. So they sort of made a grant for me in the end. So the whole process took me about two years from the first having the idea to actually getting to the school. I think it was about two, yeah, two and a half years.

So I think by the time I went, My parents feel like, okay, she hasn't given up on it in the last two years. So we're going to have to follow this through. But I do remember my first day of school coming home and just crying down the phone to my dad just beside myself. Because I'd never experienced being homesick before. So it wasn't something that had really entered my head. And he said to me, he was just like, it's fine. You know, you've tried it.

You don't like it. We'll come and pick you up now. We'll be there in six hours. And I said, no, no, no, I'll wait until the end of the half term. If I still, if I'm still not enjoying it, I'll come home, but I need to give it a proper, a proper go. And, of course, within a week, I just loved it. I was in my element. And I'm still really close with all the girls that I was in a class with at Red Roofs.

And they're like my second family. So it was, yeah, it was an amazing experience. Wow, what a strong thing to do at 11, you know, for it for two years to really fight your corner. Are you still that strong now about that? I know you've got your own production company and you're all, you're in these brilliant shows. But is that strength still there? That fight's still there. Yeah, it is.

Yeah, it's just definitely. I think it's just a part of my personality. And I don't, if I didn't enjoy something, I wouldn't strive for it, you know. But I, as you know, I feel so, I'm sure you feel the same. So incredibly fortunate to earn a living doing something that I love. So it's something that you don't really think about at the forefront of your mind, really. It's just kind of something that comes from within that I do want to achieve. But I want to achieve because I really enjoy my life and I love creating things and creating new characters.

So, yeah, I guess that single-mindedness is still there, definitely. So just doing something that you love as much as you do, and you can hear it in your voice, when you win the awards, so I'll be, I write the American talk show, Golden Globe winner, do those things, does it, how does it feel? So for some people when they win an award, it's the cherry on the cake. For some people, it goes along with what they're doing. For somebody who's strong and knows what she wants and loves every moment, what are the Emmy nominations and the Golden Globe and the best newcomer?

award and all of those things, what are they to you? I can only describe each experience, each one of those experiences as as like a fairy tale, really. It's like a fairy tale day. You know, I know sort of winning the Golden Globe was one of the most surreal but wonderful experiences of my life and it was so unexpected. It was so unexpected because I didn't think I had a hope in hell of coming home with that award. And I was just so thrilled to be there. And, you know, to have that nomination was such a huge thing for me. And so I remember being sat at the table on the downtown table, obviously. And my award was category was sort of second or third in the evening. So I said, oh, that's great. We can just get it out of the way and all have a lovely

night together and celebrate as all being here together. And then they called my name. And I remember I was clapping because I didn't register it was my name for like the first 10 seconds. And then I was like, oh, oh. And I just thought my mind just went completely sort of clear other than, right, I need to go to the stage. That's all I had in my head. I've got to go to the stage. I've got to go to the stage.

And that's all I could think about. But it was just, it was just incredible. It was just such a surprise. And it was one of those, yeah, it was just one of those things. I mean, you'll never forget and just so grateful for the. experience. It was. It was like being in a fairy tale for 24 hours and yeah, it was really fantastic. So when you do shows now, that must put you in a completely different category, especially in America. I mean, you know, looking at all the talk shows and things that you've done

in the States, it must be just wonderful. It must be wonderful that you've actually, for that 11 year old girl is saying, wow, look, look where I, look at me, mom, you know, it's that sort of moment. I mean, it is, and you know, the second down to movie out. And, and I'm going to keep going to back to Angela Black. I mean, when people see this, they're going to be obsessed. Everybody, are you ready for this again? I hope so. I really hope so. I really hope so. I'm so hoping people take to it because I'm so proud of it. And I think it's a really, you know, I'm really, really proud of it, and I can't wait for people to see it because I think it's, like I say, I'm just so, I'm really thrilled with how it's turned out, and I think it's a great,

a great thriller. And our director, Craig Vaveras, did an incredible job with it. Jack and Harry's writing. I'm just, yeah, I'm really proud of it as a piece of work. So I'm really excited about it, about it being aired. But are you ready for that ride again? Yeah, I mean, I guess, I mean, I hope it comes. I really hope so.

So absolutely. I mean, it's part of the fun of it. You want to, you know, you want to do things that, you want to pick good script, you know, and I touch wood, I think I usually do. Because it's the stuff that I can tell usually within the first few pages of reading something like, wow, this is good. Because it's a page turner. You know, you want to know what happens next. And it's exactly, it's the same experience for the viewer. If I'm reading the script going, oh my goodness, what is this? What's going to happen? Who is this person? Where is she going to get to? Then I know, you know, as long as we carry everything out in the right way during production, that that will come across to an audience. And it's a wonderful thing to think that people connect with something that you do. You know, it's a real joy when people, you know, enjoy the work and get some entertainment out of it or think about a subject matter they may not have thought about before or, you know, context to you on social media or, yeah.

It's a ride. I mean, you know, you're suddenly there again. Obviously the Downton movie, the sequel, as you say, it's March next year. When that happens again, you just know that ride is going to be a very fast, huge, enormous ride and your, you know, your social media and the press and everything around that. But is it a fun ride to go on? Because it looks like you have fun, even with all the press junkets and with all the talk shows.

I get the feeling that you enjoy that fairground ride. Yeah, I think I mean, I'm less comfortable doing live television as myself. It's always more comfortable pretending to be somebody else for me than it is being me. But I think one very early on when I sort of started Coronation Street, I was absolutely terrified by everything that came with the job. I loved the job. I loved the acting. I loved being on set.

But the whole press and having to publicise what you do, which is part of your contract. Because obviously if nobody knows about the show, no one's going to watch it. And if nobody watches it, you're out of a job, you know. So it's basically as straightforward as that. And I've had to, I had to learn to, how to deal with all of that. It wasn't something that came naturally to me when I was younger. But by the time Downton came along,

I'd been acting professionally for sort of 12 years. And I was at an age where I was ready to sort of enjoy those moments. And my mindset had changed as I'd matured. And I think I was much more self-conscious, you know, as most of us are in their late teens, early 20s. It wasn't something that I felt as comfortable with. But as I was more comfortable in my own skin, I thought, wow, these are, you know, these are amazing experiences.

I should enjoy them. It's criminal not to enjoy this because you don't know how long it's going to last. You know, you're in a hit. It's an incredible experience. You might never be in a hit again. And there's so many people in my industry that would, you know, would love to be in that position. There's always somebody better off.

There's always somebody worse off. And I think, you know, you just have to make the most of what's happening and enjoy the successes. and of course there's other things that come along with that as well that need navigating that aren't always as positive. But I'm so fortunate to have had the experiences I have and travelled and, you know, I enjoy, I really do enjoy that. Do you, the other side, the side of the press that people talk about in your private life,

do you just have to grit your teeth and get on with it, do you think, these days? because everybody knows so much about everybody with social media. I mean, you know, people can pick and choose to put what they want, and it's up to the individual. But some people put there everything on social media. I just act the fool, and you look very beautiful and glamorous, and you see you having a laugh. And some people reveal everything, do everybody, literally everything.

Yes. So that navigation can be quite tough, especially if you go through stuff in your private life. And you seem to have navigated that brilliantly. I think I always started with the same mindset, which was fortunate, I think, from, you know, definitely being guided by myself as a person and my agent and, like I say, working with really good actors

and feeling quite protected when I started out in my career. That I've always taken the same stand on it, really, stance on it that I don't get paid for any interviews I do. my interviews are purely to publicise my work. And of course, people want to know a little bit of something about yourself and the big headlines of your life, which is fine, and I understand that. But I think as an actress, I don't think it's necessarily helpful for people to know all the ins and outs of my life because I want people to be able to see me in different roles.

And I think if people know too much about me, it takes away from me being able to do my job properly. And I've always had the same, you know, the same sort of cut off points that I never, I've never done interviews or photographs in my home on my, on holiday, no big life events. And there's nothing wrong with doing that. It's just that, as I say, in my kind of, in my side of the industry and the personality I am, my private life is incredibly precious to me. And I've always wanted to keep that. And I've always thought, you know, if I keep that line of not overstepping. the mark and not, you know, I never, I never use the press in a way to, you know, publicise anything personal about myself. Then I hope I have a leg to stand on in terms of keeping a certain

level of privacy, which is hugely important to me as a person. And, you know, on my social media is the same. I try and put things that are positive. Obviously, I put stuff about my work and work charities, maybe something funny. But I don't, I don't, I don't. I don't. don't put personal pictures up. I don't put pictures. I very rarely have put pictures of me in my house. And yeah, that's just my way of sort of keeping my separation and keeping myself, you know. Well, but you can you can see that and I applaud you.

I really do. I truly applaud you that. You know, you can't, Downton can never not carry on. I'm just telling you, just in case you were thinking, No more. There you can just tell everybody, go and say to Hugh, all right, and all of them say, Gabby says you can't stop. I will.

I will. You have to keep going. I will. I have to keep going. Can you give us a little clue about the sequel, about the film, anything that you can let out the bag? Yeah, this is one of those non-answers to a question answers because there's not a lot I'm allowed to say.

So I apologise for that, Gabby. But, I mean, we start the second movie about 18 months after the first movie. So we're into the 20s. And that's about all I can say. No, that's fine. Yeah, there's another big visit to the house, which causes a lot of excitement and upheaval. And there's also a big trip abroad as well.

So it's going to look stunning the characters. We're just sort of picking up where we left off in terms of the relationships and where everybody is and how the house and the community are evolving. So I just hope it's going to be a really lovely sort of warm hug for people after coming out of this crazy couple of years that we've had. So hopefully it'll be good timing. Is it the full cast that we know and love? Yes, yes.

Yes, we're all back. So everybody's back? Yes, we're all back. Yes. And like I said, it's my Sunday night bubble bath. That's how I always think of it. And my favourite thing on the planet, after my children, of course. It's a bath.

So there we go. So I'm paying you the hugest compliment. So we always ask on this podcast, what makes you truly belly laugh? What makes you lose it and weep with laughter? What would it be for you? Oh, goodness. What would it be for me? A nice d'aubal entendre?

A duval entendre. Yeah, it would have to be. Yeah, all my friends know that that, yeah, absolutely. Yeah. A carry-on film, basically, no. If they ever do a remake, we now know who wants to be in a carry-on film. A carry-on film without the sexism, the racism and everything else. Yeah, yeah.

And modernised version. Yeah. Yeah, but they still work. Some of them still work today and make me properly laugh. Joanne, you really are a joy and you're so lovely. And to meet you in real life and to be able to chat to you properly,

you just bring joy. So thank you so much. And congratulations on the future award-winning Angela Black. Thank you. Thank you, Gabby. And thanks for having me on. It's been great. Thank you so much for listening.

Coming up next week from Orange is the New Black, Diane Guerrero. That Gabby Roslyn podcast is proudly produced by Cameo Productions. music by Beth Macari. Could you please tap the follow or subscribe button and thanks so much for your amazing reviews. We honestly read every single one

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