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Alex Kingston interview 1999 - Radio Times, May 1999 |
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On ER
"I was
nervous about saying yes to something in a country I
didn't know, but now the worry is it's going too fast. I've
started thinking, 'Only four more years - oh no.' In many
respects it's the easiest job I've ever done. Sometimes I
have a whole week off and can go to the beach. You don't
get that with the RSC."
"I think they're gradually building up the character
of Corday, which is nice. I know everyone wants me to
say I'm having a dreadful time, and it sounds awful to say
that we all really enjoy working together, but it's true. It's
not just the actors. It's the crews as well. Guest artists
from other shows comment on the extraordinary
atmosphere, which I think is one of the reasons for the
show's success. No matter how well written or acted, it
won't last if people are unhappy."
"Sometimes ER's writers admit they go
over the top and I'm not keen on the comic relief,
but they say it's too dark for many viewers
and they need that moment of lightness. I
understand, but sometimes think the comic
situations are too contrived. What can you do,
though? It's the writer's choice."
On the love scenes in Moll Flanders
"I prefer sex on TV to violence. I
can't understand why parents readily allow
children to watch people being shot and blown
up and yet find it difficult for them to see two
consenting adults enjoying sex. It's a hypocrisy
that exists all over the world and has to be
dealt with.
"But if I played a part where I had to
undress seductively in front of a man or be
extremely sexy, as a Baywatch babe, I'd be
embarrassed because it would set me up as
something I'm not. I'd also feel self-conscious
about viewers scrutinising my body. I have
lumps and bumps in all the wrong places. But
Moll was just a normal earthy woman who
lived on her wits and I didn't mind taking
off my clothes as her."
On her success
"It's not as if I woke
up one morning, said, 'I want to be an actress'
and then landed a part like this. I've been
treading the boards all over the place for 20
years and I'm very aware that this was a fluke.
I'm grateful because it's given me
greater status and perhaps the chance to have
more control over my career. I'm looking
forward, and enjoying myself.
"If you set
yourself up as a young beauty, you're more
likely to have doors close on you as you get
older, whereas being acknowledged as an
actress should stand you in good stead. It would
be wonderful if it continues, but I'm under no
illusion that it will."
**
Read our 2004 interview with Alex Kingston - or take a look at our full ER guide.
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