Oliva Colman has won an Oscar for Best Actress for her role in The Favourite and has four BAFTA awards.

Here she talks about her life and golden career.

 

How did you prepare for the role of Queen Anne in The Favourite?

“I had to put on a lot of weight for it, which was good. She was very big and we did not really want to use a fat suit.

“So I spent a few months eating. It was fun but then it is depressing as it goes on so easily. It does not come off as easily.

“I ended up putting on about two-and-a-half stone. I loved making the film. I used to eat whatever I wanted all the time and lots of it. I think the film is beautiful.”

What was it like working opposite Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone?

“It’s lovely to work opposite someone who’s good, and they are both brilliant. So we had a lovely time, just three women together. It was really supportive and lovely.

“I can’t pick one moment that stood out. We played and mucked about and made fools of ourselves in front of each other. You turn up knowing each other very well.”

 

Were you asked to do any sex scenes in The Favourite?

“Any of the sex scenes I was going to find embarrassing. I told them there is no way I would.

“We have had an amazing response. If people like what you do it is wonderful.”

How did you feel when you were picked to replace Claire Foy in The Crown?

“I am trying not to think about it too much.  I am just doing it as a job. I love my job. I am working with amazing people.

“I was such an enormous fan of The Crown and watching it and watching Claire – Claire is amazing.

“I was doing what everyone else was doing – sort of binge-watching it.

“So when the call came for that, it was a very uncool: “Yes, please!” straight away, immediately, without really considering that joining something which is so successful is a bit of a pressure, because what if you’re the one that f**** it up?

“But I know I’m going to be employed for two years, which is a very nice feeling when you’ve got dependents and bills to pay.

“I am not in a position to not take it. But I must not get my Queens muddled!”

Did you want to be an actor growing up?

“I was born in Norfolk and my mum was a district nurse and my dad was a chartered surveyor. I wasn’t terribly good at anything until I did a school play, and then I suddenly found the thing that I loved.”

 

Read the full interview with Marc Baker in the Mayfair Times here.

 

Main picture: Rich Gold/Alamy Live News
Second picture: Rachel Weisz and Olivia Colman in the film The Favourite. Photo by Yorgos Lanthimos. Š 2018 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation All Rights Reserved.