Why haven’t you done more comedy? You were effortlessly hilarious in Austin Powers. Haigin88
Thank you! I learned a lot from playing opposite Mike Myers, whom I absolutely adored. I used to get terrible giggling fits while shooting scenes with him and had to avoid looking him in the eye to prevent corpsing. There’s a scene in Austin Powers where Austin attacks Basil Exposition’s mother, shouting to Michael York: “She’s a man, baby!” while trying to yank her wig off to reveal she’s a spy. However, it turns out she’s just a regular old lady and I ruined every take by laughing. In the actual movie, you can see that I’m glassy-eyed and smirking.
Would you rather be a Bond girl or a Powers girl? MarkWatson1
I do enjoy wearing a catsuit, which would lean more towards being a Powers girl in this day and age. However, my ultimate dream is to play a Bond villain, catsuit or not. I was a fan of the Daniel Craig Bond films, but I noticed that all the villains were male.
Did you assist Mike Myers in getting his English quotes right? Kellysahero1970
Mike’s parents were from Liverpool, so despite being born in Canada, he’s just as English as I am and didn’t need any help. He used to tour the UK with Neil Mullarkey, an English comedian, who also did a fantastic job in Austin Powers as the guard who returns Austin’s Swedish penis pump.
Have you ever encountered someone who unintentionally embodied Vanessa Kensington, either in style or personality? llamalpaca
Many people still dress up as Vanessa for Halloween. If I could fit into my old costumes, which are stored in my dusty attic, I might dress up as her next year. However, finding a real-life Vanessa would be challenging. She had a childlike innocence and no ulterior motives. I had to dig deep to portray that.
How enjoyable was it to work on Bedazzled? arashikage
I had a wonderful time filming Bedazzled and had a great rapport with Brendan Fraser, who is a talented comedian. Sometimes, the relationship your characters have in a movie tends to mirror your dynamic with your co-star. So, I teased Brendan for months, knowing he’s quite shy in real life. It was easy and fun.
Hurley with Geoffrey Palmer on the set of Dennis Potter’s TV series Christabel in 1988. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock
What was your experience like working with Dennis Potter on the 80s BBC drama, Christabel? badrobot2
I was a huge fan of The Singing Detective and was thrilled when Dennis chose me for Christabel. The two shows were very different, with Christabel being his only straightforward drama. His fans were disappointed as they were expecting something more eccentric and fantastical. Dennis was incredibly kind to me. At 22, I knew many people would be offering me advice on how to play the part. He made me promise to stick to my original interpretation from the screen test and ignore everyone else.
There are photos of you as a punk in your teens. What memories do you have of that time, and has any of the punk ethos stuck with you? retepcooper
Growing up in the suburbs, finding an identity and a group to belong to was crucial. I loved punk music and started hanging out with local punks. Due to financial constraints, we could only afford ripped clothes and DIY hair dye. When I moved to London for drama school, I felt quite cool with my pink hair and nose ring. On my first day, my tutor sarcastically remarked, “Very castable!” The comment deflated me, and I had to adapt. That tutor, now almost 90, is one of my closest friends and still assists me with acting challenges.
You appeared on the Strictly final in 2020. Would you consider returning as a contestant, and if so, which dance would you be most excited to learn? VerulamiumParkRanger
Unfortunately, I have multiple injuries from filming various roles, including a prolapsed disc, torn ankle ligaments, and a dodgy shoulder. If I were in good health, I’d love to tackle the achingly sensual rumba. My favorite contestant was Abbey Clancy, who had no dance experience but excelled in the final.
‘I didn’t audition for my part’ … in her son’s Damian’s film, Strictly Confidential. Photograph: 101 Films
What was it like collaborating with your son on Strictly Confidential? Observing his growth as a filmmaker, what qualities in him are you most proud of or impressed by? Iokanaan
Damian possesses an exceptional work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. He started creating short films at the age of 10, with me featuring in all of them. Therefore, working on a full-length movie felt like a natural progression. Despite limited resources and an 18-day shooting schedule, he maintained a great relationship with the cast, who, like me, worked for minimal pay. I didn’t audition for my role initially, and it was small until Damian decided to switch the genders of the husband and wife characters, giving me the significant part. This change had a remarkable impact on the film, transforming a tired storyline into something fresh.
Hurley as Queen Helena in The Royals. Photograph: E! Entertainment/Frank W Ockenfels 3/E!
If you were crowned queen for a day like your character in The Royals, what laws would you enact to make our country a happier (or unhappier) place? TopTramp
My favorite aspect of portraying the Queen in The Royals was commanding people to “walk away” when annoyed and watching them scurry off obediently. If I were a real queen, I’d ban air fresheners in cars, as they tend to be unpleasant. I’d mandate food manufacturers to label ultra-processed foods with prominent UPF stickers to simplify ingredient scrutiny. I’d abolish prison sentences for white-collar criminals, opting for community service instead. Imagine if individuals like Lester Piggott had to spend time teaching underprivileged kids how to ride horses. Additionally, I’d advocate for longer sentences for violent criminals.
When reflecting on your career, what do you consider your most significant achievement? AmongstTheWaves
My greatest accomplishment would probably be persevering and maintaining happiness throughout my career. Despite facing criticism and backlash whenever I step into the spotlight, I have never shied away. It would have been simpler to give up, but that’s not in my nature. I adore working on film sets and find the experience more enjoyable than leisure activities.
You are the face of this year’s Debenhams Christmas campaign. If you had a department store named Hurley’s, what would be your top-selling items? MrSOBaldrick
I would sell vintage clothing. My family and friends often turn to me for Christmas, and we all dress up, a tradition I cherish. I usually wear my vintage pieces, like a black cashmere sweater with snowflakes that I’ve owned for over 20 years. I have multiple themed Christmas trees at home, and I take great pleasure in decorating them, despite the chaos that ensues. Being part of the Debenhams Christmas campaign was a delight, especially since I prefer online shopping due to laziness. I never need much persuasion to twirl in a sequined dress while spritzing myself with delightful fragrances. And I may have taken the faux sheepskin rug from the ad for some cozy lounging this year.
Elizabeth Hurley stars in this year’s Duh, Debenhams Christmas campaign