Dame Helen Mirren Reveals Youthful Feistiness and Reflects on Ageism
Helen Mirren Unleashes Her Fiery Spirit: "I Was a Bit of an Ahole"**
In a candid interview with Heart Radio, Dame Helen Mirren dropped a bombshell about her younger years: she was a total firecracker, always ready to take on the world. The 80-year-old actress revealed that she was constantly underestimated because of her looks, and it sparked a fierce determination in her to prove everyone wrong.
"Ah, yes, I think when I was young, I was always underestimated," Helen said with a sly grin. "It's much better now than it was back then, but it's still hard to break through the attitude that you're only worth something if you look good." She chuckled mischievously, "I mean, from men and women alike – not just men, although mostly men! Women too!"
Celia Imrie, her co-star in The Thursday Murder Club, quickly jumped in to defend Helen's feisty reputation. "No, no, I don't think you were being an a**hole at all," Celia protested. "You were simply standing up for yourself, and I understand that perfectly." She patted Helen on the arm. "It's because you're too beautiful, darling – that's what people judged you on."
But Helen wasn't having it. "I was being underestimated, yes, but I also had to deal with the condescending attitudes of people who thought they could talk down to me just because I was a young woman," she explained. "It was infuriating!"
Just days ago, Helen made headlines for her scathing criticism of society's treatment of older women. In an interview with The Times, she lashed out at those who patronized her due to her age. "The hardest part is the condescension – it really annoys me," she said. "If my husband and I are holding hands, someone might say, 'Oh, look. How sweet.' But that's not sweet; that's condescending."
Helen's tirade sparked a heated debate on social media, with many praising her for speaking truth to power. "I'm not afraid of getting older," she insisted in the interview. "In fact, I think it's an amazing thing – just like my mum said: 'When you're 18, the thought of being 35 is horrific. But when you get to 35, you realize it's actually a lot better than being 18.'"
Now, Helen and Celia Imrie are back on screens together in The Thursday Murder Club, based on the best-selling novel by Richard Osman. The Netflix film follows a group of "geriatric sleuths" as they solve murders from their retirement home. Helen leads the cast as Elizabeth, a sharp ex-spy with a knack for uncovering secrets.
Celia Imrie plays Joyce, a compassionate ex-nurse who balances out the group's dynamics. Pierce Brosnan and Sir Ben Kingsley round out the main cast, playing Ron and Ibrahim respectively. In an interview with TV Times magazine, Celia gushed about her co-stars: "We became like a team – it's exactly how we are in the film." She praised the chemistry between the actors, saying, "Working with this cast is like playing tennis with an equal partner – it elevates the game."
As for Helen, she's thrilled to be back on screens with Celia. "I couldn't put down Richard Osman's book when I read it," she said. "I hope our movie will entertain and move viewers – just like the novel did for me." With The Thursday Murder Club out now on Netflix, fans can expect a thrilling ride filled with wit, charm, and plenty of Helen Mirren's signature sass.
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