'I FIND IT HARD TO SAY NO TO GREAT ROLES'

DAME HELEN MIRREN ON THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE FILM INDUSTRY FOR WOMEN AND WHY THIS HAS MADE HER EXCITED FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

- MARC BAKER

Her film and TV career have spanned more than 50 years, and during that time Dame Helen Mirren has taken on some seriously challenging roles – from Prime Suspect's DCI Jane Tennison to The Queen. And the celebrated Oscar winner was thrilled to play her latest compelling character in the British comedy The Duke.

Dame Helen, 76, has long advocated more parts for older actresses and she's been granted her wish with this film, in which she takes center stage with fellow Academy Award winner Jim Broadbent.

Set in 1961, the film tells the real-life story of elderly taxi driver Kempton Bunton (Broadbent), who steals Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. Aided by his wife Dorothy (Mirren), he sends random notes saying they will only return the painting if the government does more to help the elderly by scrapping the BBC licence fee - which will strike a chord with many following the government's announcement that the licence fee will be abolished in 2027.

The whole story took me by surprise, Dame Helen said. You would want to take it with a pinch of salt if it wasn't all true. I loved the charm of the script - it was sweet and very endearing. I love the 1960s. It was a more naïve, innocent time.

The actress is well placed to portray the ups and downs of the couple's marriage, having been in a relationship for 25 years with her own partner, American film producer Taylor Hackford, 77, who she married in 1997. Here, she tells us more...

After landing this role in The Duke, do you now feel there will be more equality for women in film and TV?