You Don't Have To Be Gorgeous
TV Times|August 25, 2018

Polly Walker on why Age Before Beauty is a big departure for her – and an antidote to Love Island! 

Caren Clark
You Don't Have To Be Gorgeous

From a scheming matriarch in Rome and a formidable gangster’s moll in Prisoners Wives to a tough lawyer in Line of Duty, Polly Walker has brought a variety of forthright characters to our screens.

But as TV Times catches up with her for an exclusive chat, she tells us that her current role of beautician Bel Finch in vibrant BBC1 drama Age Before Beauty is extra-special, as it has allowed her to take centre stage as a complex – but utterly relatable – heroine.

‘Bel’s a proper grown-up woman who has been badly hurt,’ explains Polly, 52. ‘She’s softer than roles I’ve played before. As the lead, it was an opportunity for me to play different emotions instead of being there just to push storylines along.’

Poor Bel has certainly been put through the mill after learning that husband Wes (James Murray) has cheated on her with personal trainer Lorelei (Madeleine Mantock). But now matters are becoming complicated as Bel’s besotted brother-in-law Teddy’s (Robson Green) secret plot – 30 years in the planning! – to lure her away from Wes may start paying dividends.

As this week’s final two episodes provide some intriguing new twists and turns, TV Times talks to Warrington-born Polly…

Bel’s growing dangerously close to Teddy. Could she cheat?

This story is from the August 25, 2018 edition of TV Times.

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This story is from the August 25, 2018 edition of TV Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.