Latest news with #BeginAgain
Spectator
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
The trouble with Gillian Anderson
Imagine, for a moment, that a respected middle-aged British male character actor – Jason Isaacs, let's say – had been cast in the lead role of a sex therapist in a popular, Gen Z-focused Netflix series, called something like Love Lessons. Then imagine that Isaacs had become seemingly so obsessed with blurring the lines between himself and his character that he had not only edited a book about men's sexual fantasies, anonymously including one of his own in there, too, but had begun a secondary career appearing on podcasts in which he encouraged men to freely discuss their peccadilloes and penchants, however taboo they might seem. It would, of course, never happen – not even for a man as likeable as Isaacs. Yet something very similar has taken place with his Salt Path and Sex Education co-star Gillian Anderson, a woman who seems to have turned into her Sex Education character Jean Milburn, only with added froideur and grandeur. (Her Instagram profile, where she boasts 3.5 million followers, describes her as 'Actor. Author. Activist. Dog Mum.') When Anderson recently appeared on Davina McCall's podcast Begin Again, the blurb gushed that 'this episode is about giving yourself permission to explore your wildest fantasies, the power of desire and the importance of asking what you truly WANT – not only in the bedroom but in LIFE!' The territory of mum-fluencer of a certain age is hardly unknown, and Anderson cannot be blamed for embracing extra-curricular activities. Her most recent book, 2024's Want, was a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic, and she has segued smoothly into a career that has encompassed television, film and theatre, as well, now, as that of author. (We will draw a tactful veil over the trio of fantasy novels, The Earthend Saga, that she co-authored, or at least put her lucrative name to, between 2014 and 2016.) She is one of the best-known actresses in Britain, thanks to her star-making role in The X Files and her subsequent high profile, and remains a sought-after A-list guest at any party or soirée. So why, then, is Gillian Anderson so difficult to warm to? Most actors try and give an impression of warmth and likeability in press interviews and in public appearances on things like The Graham Norton Show. Even if, privately, they detest everyone around them and consider themselves part of a rarified species, they have been given extensive media training to make themselves seem down-to-earth and accessible. Anderson, however, has gone entirely the other way. If ever she is compelled to appear on a chat show, she wears an air of regal hauteur that suggests that she regards the whole affair as deeply beneath her, and carries this sense of superiority into interviews. Journalists use the words 'frosty' or 'steely' in profiles about her; a polite way of describing someone who clearly has little interest in ingratiating herself with those who she finds beneath her. If Anderson's work was consistently extraordinary, she might be forgiven much of this aloofness. Many of the greatest actors in history could not be described as 'nice', from Marlene Dietrich to Tommy Lee Jones. Anderson would also probably argue that it is a misogynistic canard that she should have to be seen as warm and fuzzy because she is a woman. She might, of course, be right, but the difficulty is that she is a variable screen talent, to say the least. Anderson was indeed magnificent in Terence Davies's little-seen Edith Wharton adaptation The House of Mirth, and gave very fine performances indeed in both the BBC's adaptation of Bleak House and the serial killer drama The Fall, which both made use of her icy beauty and cool intelligence. But she was devastatingly bad as Margaret Thatcher in the fourth series of The Crown, pitching her performance just this side of pantomime in an apparent attempt to convince viewers that she, herself, was nothing like this dreadful woman that she was playing, and that she didn't share an iota of her politics or thoroughly reprehensible views. By the time that Anderson popped up in Sex Education, an enjoyable if silly show that overstayed its welcome, it was clear that she had come to regard herself as a Great British Institution; ironic, really, for a woman born in Chicago and who rose to prominence playing American characters. So it is amusing that her most recent performance may yet turn out to be one of her most controversial. Anderson and Isaacs played Raynor and Moth Winn, the beleaguered protagonists of The Salt Path, in the successful film adaptation of the book, which has since run into trouble after the revelations that Winn had been more than a little economical with the actualité. Ironically, Anderson had already inadvertently conveyed her own misgivings about Winn, saying in an interview that: 'I was surprised at how guarded she was…it was interesting to encounter a certain steeliness.' Or, indeed, a fear that being lifted to another level of recognition altogether would lead to her subsequent exposure by the Observer. Anderson has not commented publicly on the scandal, and it is unlikely that she will be prepared to do so until it is settled one way or the other. Yet were she to break her silence, and admit that she felt annoyed, even betrayed, by the undeniably embarrassing situation, it would be a rare chink in the armour of this ice queen, sex therapist and, it would appear, all-round Renaissance woman. Just a tinge of vulnerability, you cannot help thinking, would make the Magnificent Anderson that bit more human, and therefore likeable. Whether it will ever happen, however, is a mystery worthy of Agent Scully's investigative powers.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Davina McCall makes emotional relationship confession as she 'looks forward'
Two years after her marriage with Matthew Robertson ended, former Big Brother host Davina McCall has been in a relationship with her former hair stylist, Michael Douglas Long Lost Family star Davina McCall has shared an emotional relationship confession, saying that she "looks forward" to one thing. Having first met her boyfriend, Michael Douglas, when he was working as her hairstylist while she was hosting Big Brother in the early 2000s, it wasn't until nearly two decades later that their friendship became romantic, when they started dating in 2019. Since then, their relationship has gone from strength to strength, with constant speculation surrounding whether the pair will eventually tie the knot. The couple even co-host their own podcast together, Making the Cut with Davina McCall and Michael Douglas. In a recent episode of the podcast, the pair shared that they had recently met up with Joel Dommett and his wife, Hannah Cooper While explaining that they had known the couple for a few years, Davina said they were all eager to find out a little bit more about each other. In doing so, they played a game devised by Michael, where they picked a song and explained how it related to a specific memory from their earlier years. Reflecting on the heart-warming moments with the Masked Singer presenter and his wife, Davina made an emotional confession to Michael, saying that she looks forward to hearing even more tales about his earlier life: "Because we're going to be together for the rest of our lives. I'm really looking forward to hearing all of the stories to all the songs." Later in the podcast, Davina revealed that Michael had even made her a playlist of songs to help her as she recently went into hospital to undergo brain surgery. This came after a scan of the presenter's brain last year revealed a tumour. After further tests confirmed that it was a benign colloid cyst, she underwent an operation to have it removed. Before settling down with Michael, Davina had already established herself as one of the most recognisable faces in broadcasting, having hosted Big Brother during its heyday in the early 2000s. Her career has continued to flourish since, including her long-standing role as co-host of ITV 's Long Lost Family alongside Nicky Campbell, where the pair help reunite relatives after years apart. In more recent years, she has also added an array of podcasts to her impressive CV, including Begin Again, a show that aims to "embrace midlife as their most transformative era yet." She can also be heard co-hosting Making the Cut weekly with her boyfriend, Michael.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Gillian Anderson wants to be 'looked at adoringly for who I am'
Gillian Anderson wants her partner to desire the real her instead of a "perfect version". The X Files star spoke about her own desires in a candid interview on Davina McCall's Begin Again podcast, praising women for sending in their personal letters and stories for her book Want and Gillian insisted talking about sex often opens up a much bigger conversation. She explained: "I think what was remarkable about the book and the conversation that it's started, was because of the courage of the women who submitted the letters. "The bigger light bulb is: 'If I'm not able to ask for what I want of the person I've been married to for 25 years, does that have any link to why I'm not able to ask for what I want in the work that I do? "And the raise that I've been thinking about asking for? Or actually to assume that I might be talented at this other thing that I haven't gone after because I've been kind of wrapped up' ... "I didn't expect the reaction that we've had and I didn't expect that these were the types of conversations that we'd be having. I've had women come up to me and say: 'This has changed my life'. And at the end of the day we're talking about courage really." She went on to add that a lot of the writing seemed to be about being "seen" and she opened up about how she wants to be looked at by her partner. Gillian - who is in a relationship with screenwriter Peter Morgan - added: "There's a lot of really, really touching writing in here and real touching honesty and part of that too which really moves me, was women writing about being seen. "Yes there's a version of a fantasy where even in my mind I look a certain way and I'm imagining that they are desiring me as that way, but actually the thing that I really want is to be looked at adoringly for who I am, and how I look and for that to be the thing that my partner is desiring - not the perfect version of it, but actually you."
Hans India
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Rita Ora reveals what's her key to happy marriage with Taika Waititi
Los Angeles: Actress-singer Rita Ora is sharing insights into a successful relationship. The actress feels that mutual support is the key to her marriage to Taika Waititi. The 34-year-old pop star has been married to the Hollywood director since 2022, and she's now explained why their relationship works so well, reports 'Female First UK'. The chart-topping singer told 'People' magazine, "I think just respect and supporting each other through our own separate careers, ventures, space and just honouring that and being support systems'. Rita and Taika, 49, were good friends before their relationship took a romantic turn, and she thinks that's been key to their success, too. The Hot Right Now hitmaker, who previously dated the likes of Calvin Harris and Andrew Watt, said, "Being best friends, I think, is really great'. As per 'Female First UK', Rita recently revealed that she's like "the fairy godmother" to Taika's children. The director has two kids with his ex-wife Chelsea Winstanley, and Rita admitted that she has a great relationship with his children. During an appearance on the Begin Again with Davina McCall podcast, Rita shared, "It is so fun. I just have the best time with them. I'm like the fairy godmother (who) gives them all the sugar and all the ice cream, and then sends them back. And their mother, who I love dearly, is like, 'They're bouncing off the walls''. Rita also revealed that she relished the experience of taking the kids to see Ed Sheeran, her long-time showbiz friend. The singer said, "I think that's the fun part of being a stepmom, like you can do those naughty things. I take them out, and I took them to an Ed Sheeran concert. They met Ed Sheeran, like, I was giving it all to these kids'. Meanwhile, Rita recently confessed that she wants to "celebrate (her) sexuality" through her new music. The singer released her latest single, Heat, last month, and Rita admitted that it's a taste of things to come.
Perth Now
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Mutual support is key to a happy marriage, says Rita Ora
Rita Ora thinks mutual support is the key to her marriage to Taika Waititi. The 34-year-old pop star has been married to the Hollywood director since 2022, and she's now explained why their relationship works so well. The chart-topping singer told People: "I think just respect and supporting each other through our own separate careers, ventures, space and just honouring that and being support systems." Rita and Taika, 49, were good friends before their relationship took a romantic turn, and she thinks that's been key to their success, too. The Hot Right Now hitmaker - who previously dated the likes of Calvin Harris and Andrew Watt - said: "Being best friends, I think, is really great." Rita recently revealed that she's like "the fairy godmother" to Taika's children. The director has two kids with his ex-wife Chelsea Winstanley, and Rita admitted that she has a great relationship with his children. During an appearance on the Begin Again with Davina McCall podcast, Rita shared: "It is so fun. I just have the best time with them. "I'm like the fairy godmother [who] gives them all the sugar and all the ice cream, and then sends them back. And their mother, who I love dearly, is like, 'They're bouncing off the walls.'" Rita also revealed that she relished the experience of taking the kids to see Ed Sheeran, her long-time showbiz pal. The singer said: "I think that's the fun part of being a stepmom, like you can do those naughty things. I take them out, and I took them to an Ed Sheeran concert. They met Ed Sheeran, like, I was giving it all to these kids!" Meanwhile, Rita recently confessed that she wants to "celebrate [her] sexuality" through her new music. The singer released her latest single, Heat, last month, and Rita admitted that it's a taste of things to come. She told People: "The whole theme of this record is really about being instant [and] really direct with my messaging and stripping everything back behind me, production wise." Heat was co-written by Troye Sivan, and Rita feels she has "a lot in common" with the music star. Rita said: "I love his sexuality and the celebration he has with that. "I was really inspired for me and my womanhood to really kind of celebrate my sexuality, my sexiness and get back into my body, you know? And this really just embodied that."
