Cold Feet actress Hermione Norris is ‘very excited’ about turning 60 next year.
Having weathered a tough childhood and a ‘boring’ menopause, the mother of two to Wilf, 21 and Hero, 18, now has an ‘alchemy’ about what life is all about.
“I am not who I was 10 years ago and I really like it,” she tells Ateh Jewel in this week's Hello Second Act podcast. “I like being present, which I don't think is possible until you're in your 50s.
“When you get older, it becomes less about exterior achievement, and more an internal journey, which is enriching and incredible.
“I say to my daughter Hero, at my age you realise the only true hurt is when you haven't been true to yourself, so be true to you - really trust that.”
Age Old Reality
She is, however, aware of the harsh realities aging brings. “It is a fact that after 45, work drops off for women, and I'm 59.
“So I've always liked playing women who are really good at their jobs because then it becomes so much more than those limiting roles of the mother and grandmother.”
Arriving at motherhood a little later in life with husband Simon Wheeler (she was 41 when she gave birth to her youngest daughter Hero) changed Hermione. “You're not the centre of you anymore. As long as my children are all right, I'm alright.
“But at my time of life I do think if Hero waits until she's 40 (to have a baby), I'll be a granny at 80. You're like, oh, for God's sake.
“I don't think there's any right time (to have kids). You're never ready.”
© BBC/CTVCEmotional Pilgrimage
At a screening of her new BBC 2 TV show Pilgrimage, Hermione uncharacteristically burst into tears watching her newfound celebrity friends Jayne Middlemiss, Patsy Kensit and Ashley Banjo, open up about their back story. The team spent 12 days and over 200 miles travelling around the North East reflecting on their faith. “There is a fragile humanity, that’s beautiful. The people I did my pilgrimage with, they'll always have a place in my heart.”
Hermione only started processing her own ‘volatile’ childhood during lockdown. “I had a period where I literally couldn't stop crying. So much unresolved grief came up.”
Her dad left home when she was four. As one of four children to a single mum, Hermione fell into the arts after failing her 11+. She won a scholarship to Elmhurst ballet school, which was so strict she likened it to ‘the SAS’.
“My childhood has unconsciously influenced everything. I do think if you've had a difficult time, it does make you a better mum because you're more equipped to deal with things. I've tried with my children to create a peaceful, safe environment.
“That was my journey and I'm grateful I found my way through.”
Pilgrimage: The Road to Holy Island, Sunday 5 - Tuesday 7 April at 9pm on BBC Two. Stream all episodes on BBC iPlayer from Sunday 5 April.
Listen to the Second Act podcast, now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts and Youtube.
