19 November 2024
Fiona Shaw insists "the dial is turning" for women in television.
Fiona Shaw addresses opportunities for women in television
The 66-year-old actress - who has appeared on the big and small screen in the likes of 'Harry Potter', 'Enola Holmes', 'Killing Eve', 'Andor and Apple TV+ series 'Bad Sisters' - is glad to see the perception changing with more performers getting the chance to lead their own projects.
She told the Metro newspaper's 60 Seconds column: "I think there was a myth that men could only lead series and that is simply not true.
"I started my TV career at 50 and I assumed we were all washed up, and it's not the case - if anything, the dial is turning.
"The world of female deceit, madness, pleasure, excitement and joy is really penetrating the camera and people just love it. The more the merrier."
In the past, Fiona - who played Petunia Dursley in the 'Harry Potter' franchise - claimed she kept working in theatre because there were more opportunities on stage, but things are shifting.
She explained: "I mean I am very lucky and I am having a ball. Being in 'Killing Eve' for four years was great fun. I had enough to keep me interested.
"I had other things but I was really involved in that and the same with ['Bad Sisters'] - this took six months.
"That's what I had in theatre and I'm grateful to now have it in movies and TV."
For a long time, Fiona would be stopped in the street by Potter fans recognising her from her role in the classic films.
However, she noted that now people will want to meet her from all sorts of projects over her career, depending on the demographic.
She said: "It depends on where you are. If I'm in an art gallery it's 'Killing Eve'. If I'm crossing Regent Street, it's 'Killing Eve'.
"If it's New York, it's 'Medea' on stage and if it's kids, it's 'Harry Potter'. There's different groups and I can spot them."
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English (US) ·