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Golden Globes Favourite Olivia Colman Revealed The Relatable Thing She Did After Her 2013 BAFTAs Win

Posted on by BeverleyButterfly

What would you do directly after winning one of the UK’s most prestigious acting awards: order the largest available bottle of champagne? Make the extravagant purchase you’ve been fantasising about for years? Party until the wee hours? Turns out Golden Globes favourite Olivia Colman plumped for a slightly more low-key celebration after her double win at the 2013 BAFTAs. After scooping awards for her roles in Accused and Twenty Twelve, Colman went home, took off her Spanx, and had a nice cup of tea. And honestly, has a certified Hollywood icon ever been quite so relatable?

Speaking to the Mirror, Colman reminisced on the May 2013 ceremony that scored her two BAFTA trophies: one for best supporting actress, for her role in crime drama Accused, and one for female comedy performance, after her appearance in satirical Olympic comedy Twenty Twelve. “That was amazing that night because I had been nominated for things before and just never got them,” she told the paper. “That was unbelievable. No one expects to get one, but to get two?”

Her success proved a little overwhelming: “It was a little bit too much,” she said. “I just needed to be normal and take the massive Spanx off — you know the big pants? — and just calm down. So I went home and had a cup of tea.” Sounds lovely, doesn’t it?

Colman is favourite to land the Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical at tonight’s awards ceremony, for her role as Queen Anne in (appropriately) The Favourite. Co-stars Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz are also nominated for best supporting actress in a comedy or musical, for their roles as royal favourites Abigail Hill and Lady Sarah Churchill.The event, hosted by Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg, will see Colman run against Crazy Rich Asians star Constance Wu, Mary Poppins Returns‘ Emily Blunt, Eighth Grade‘s Elsie Fisher, and Tully star Charlize Theron.

And Colman’s pretty delighted about the nomination, telling the Mirror, “When you get nominated for something, for me it always comes as a massive surprise and then an enormous, ‘Oh.'” She added, “It’s really incredibly exciting and you can’t quite believe it, and in all honesty, as a little girl it’s all, ‘Imagine if I won an Oscar?'”

Colman’s snagged a Golden Globe before, winning best supporting actress in a series, mini-series or TV movie at the 2017 ceremony for her role in The Night Manager. But there’ll be one major difference tonight: this time, she’ll actually be at the ceremony. As she explained to the BBC, Colman was due to start filming Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express at the time of last year’s awards, and was keen to impress her co-stars — plus, she assumed she didn’t have a chance. “I looked at the list and thought, ‘I won’t win in that group,'” she said.

“I’m playing Judi Dench’s maid and I want her to be so impressed because she is my hero. I have to be good and I don’t want to be that person who turns up jetlagged but now I sort of think they would have forgiven me,” she told the BBC after her win was announced. “Now I’m so gutted I’m not there. It’s such an enormous honour, I’m beside myself.” Well, if the bookies’ predictions prove correct, this time Colman can collect her Golden Globe in person.

Source: bustle.com – Golden Globes Favourite Olivia Colman Revealed The Relatable Thing She Did After Her 2013 BAFTAs Win

Olivia Colman among alumni celebrated at Gresham’s School exhibition

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The Inventing the Future Exhibition runs from Saturday, September 29 to Sunday, October 14 and is a free exhibition celebrating the accomplishments of its 20th century students.

The school, located in Holt, North Norfolk, was founded in 1555 and after beginning life as a small grammar school underwent a cultural revolution in the early 1900s, tripling the pupils it sent to Oxbridge and championing modern languages, literature and science.

Perhaps most notable of the alumni is the inventor James Dyson who attended the school from 1956 to 1965 and some of his early vacuums will be on display.

Other artefacts include the 1934 original manuscript The Liberal Fascist from the poet WH Auden about his thoughts on education at Gresham’s and actress Olivia Colman’s Golden Globe statuette which she won for her role in The Night Manager in 2017.

Works from Greshamians such as poet Stephen Spender and his artist brother Humphrey, composer Benjamin Britten and Gerald Holtom, the artist who created the famous symbol of international peace, will also be on display.

Gresham’s educated Christopher Cockerell, who invented the hovercraft using two empty coffee tins and a vacuum cleaner fan, is represented in the exhibition alongside Frank Perkins who developed the diesel engine.

In the field of arts and culture the school provided the springboard for Auden, Spender, Britten and Nicholson.

More than 15 key artworks by the leading British painter Ben Nicholson are also on show.

Douglas Robb, headmaster of Gresham’s School, said: “Gresham’s is an historic and vibrant co-educational school.

“We pride ourselves that a Gresham’s education enables young people to develop in a huge variety of areas, the school has a tradition of producing outstanding achievers in all walks of life, including architects, diplomats, engineers, musicians, actors and sports men and women and much more.

“We believe that this celebration of some of our greatest alumni will inspire future generations to come to study and thrive here.”

In 1903 Gresham’s School moved from its ageing premises at the Old School House in the centre of Holt to a greenfield location on the outskirts with state-of-the-art science labs and purpose-built boarding houses.

Over two decades the school roll went from 40 pupils to 240 and a ‘cultural revolution’ occurred, though more than 100 pupils and staff lost their lives in World War I.

Simon Kinder, Gresham’s School’s head of history, said: “The small provincial grammar school emerged at the dawn of the Twentieth Century as one of the most progressive, creative and innovative public schools in Britain and it was within this vibrant educational crucible that the pupils who were to go on to invent the future were to be shaped.”

In the world of journalism and broadcasting the school boasts the BBC’s first Director General, Lord Reith, Cecil Graves, another Director General, and Philip Pembroke-Stevens who was foreign correspondent for the Express and Telegraph.

Pembroke-Stevens was expelled from Germany for his critical reporting of Nazism in 1934 and later shot reporting on Japanese invasion of China in 1937.

Inventing The Future (Cromer Road, Holt, NR25 6EA) runs from Saturday, September 29 to Sunday, October 14 from 9am to 5pm with free entry.

To find out more information on the exhibition and to attend one of the free talks visit the website.

Source: edp24.co.uk – Olivia Colman among the alumni celebrated at Gresham’s School exhibition

 

Stars come out for clothes appeal

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Olivia is standing on a staircase looking off to the left with a beautiful dress on
Credit to source

Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens and TK Maxx have teamed up to encourage people to donate their “preloved” clothes, accessories and homeware to mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The stars, including Olivia Colman, Billie Piper, Abbey Clancy, Jodie Kidd, Melanie Sykes, Angela Scanlon and Nicola Thorp, donated the outfits that they wore on the catwalk and these will be available to buy soon from Cancer Research UK shops.

Fashion photographer Jason Bell captured the famous faces behind the scenes, as our pictures show, as well as during an offi cial photoshoot on the catwalk.

TK Maxx’s Jo Murphy said: “For more than 14 years our customers and staff have generously helped to raise over £31million to support this vital work and once more we’re asking everyone to dig deep into their wardrobe and bring in a bag or two to support the campaign.”

The charity aims to help people up to the age of 24 suffering from cancer by raising money for research.

More children and young people than ever are surviving cancer in the UK but every year about 520 in this age bracket die from the disease.

Some who survive experience long-term side effects.

Give Up Clothes For Good promotes the re-use and recycling of goods and has collected in excess of 1.1 million bags of clothing and household goods, diverting 6,866 tonnes of unwanted items from landfill.

The Daily Express is supporting TK Maxx’s Give Up Clothes For Good in support of Cancer Research UK Kids & Teens. To help fund its work, donate a bag of pre-loved quality clothes, accessories and homeware at TK Maxx stores across the country. 

For more info visit tkmaxx.com.

Source: express.co.uk – Stars come out for clothes appeal

 

Olivia Colman Named Best Actress At Venice Film Festival For Role In ‘The Favourite’

Posted on by BeverleyButterfly

Picture shows Olivia Colman with short hair, stood in front of a red background holding her best actress trophy
(Photo by Elisabetta A. Villa/WireImage)

Olivia Colman has won one of the highest accolades of her career so far, after being named best actress at the Venice Film Festival.

The British actress bagged the award for her performance as an ailing Queen Anne in the upcoming period drama ‘The Favourite’ in which she stars opposite Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone.

The film tells the story of the rivalry between two of Queen Anne’s cousins, both bidding to be considered her “favourite”, and also stars British actors Nicholas Hoult and Mark Gatiss.

So far, critics have lauded ‘The Favourite’, particularly Olivia’s performance, as well as director Yorgos Lanthimos, who previously worked with the actress in ‘The Lobster’.

Olivia had stiff competition for the best actress award, particularly from Lady Gaga, whose performance in ‘A Star Is Born’ – which also debuted at the festival– has also won near-unanimous praise from critics.

It was a big night for ‘The Favourite’, which also scored the Grand Jury Prize, one of the Venice Film Festival’s biggest honours, though the top award went to Alfonso Cuarón’s family drama ‘Roma’.

Olivia is currently gearing up for another regal role, picking up where Claire Foy left off in the Netflix drama ‘The Crown’, in which she’s to play Queen Elizabeth II in middle age, opposite Tobias Menzies’ Prince Philip.

Initially making a name for herself in roles in British comedies like ‘The Office’, ‘Peep Show’ and ‘Black Books’, Olivia is now better known for her drama performances including ‘Broadchurch’, ‘The Night Manager’ and the upcoming ‘Les Misérables’ remake, in which she’ll play Madame Thénardier.

Last year, she also joined the all-star cast of Kenneth Branagh’s new take on ‘Murder On The Orient Express’, which also featured the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Derek Jacobi and Branagh himself.

‘The Favourite’ is due for release in the UK in January 2019, but will be showcased at the upcoming BFI London Film Festival.

Source: huffingtonpost.co.uk – Olivia Colman Named Best Actress At Venice Film Festival For Role In ‘The Favourite’

 

Why Everyone’s Talking About ‘The Favourite’ At The Venice Film Festival

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Photo credit to source

The Favourite, a movie that is loosely based on historical fact, was always going to generate a big reaction at the Venice Film Festival.

Olivia Colman plays the frail and slightly unhinged early 18th century British monarch, Queen Anne, who jostles with two woman in a power struggle in her court as they vye for her sexual favour. Lady Sarah, the Duchess of Marlborough (Rachel Weisz), whose husband is away fighting the French, is effectively running the country. But when her conniving cousin the Queen’s new servant Sarah (Emma Stone) arrives, the naïve monarch is seduced by her charms.

For a second time this year Weisz has a woman-on-woman love scene after Disobedience with Rachel McAdams, while the film marks a follow-up too for Oscar winner Stone after her portrayal as Billie Jean King in Battle of the Sexes.

At The Favourite’s Venice press conference, the usually hilarious Colman (The Night Manager) was asked about the sexual politics in the historical film, to which she replied, “There was a lot of it!”

“That aspect of the film is timeless. We think we invented sex but we didn’t. It’s been going on for quite a long time. It was awfully fun having sex with Emma Stone.”

“It was really fun having sex with you too,” Stone quipped.

In the film, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer starring Nicole Kidman) Stone plays an educated aristocrat who has lost her status and will do anything to get it back. At the age of 15 her father lost her to a fat German with a thin penis in card game. She may be devious but she’s not evil, says Stone.

“She’s overcome a lot, she’s a survivor. I loved every element of getting to play her. In terms of the challenges for me I was the only American in the cast, so it was a bit daunting trying to make sure that the accent made sense. The corsets were a challenge too just because you can’t breathe all day.

“The whole cast had this three-week rehearsal process before we started shooting and it was far from traditional. We did a whole bunch of crazy stuff. We had to learn to be embarrassed in front of each other and rely on each other. I think by the time we were shooting we all felt very close and comfortable. When I had to have sex with the Queen, with Olivia, it was very comfortable. We were very good friends.”

I asked Colman, who is playing Queen Elizabeth in season three of The Crown, about playing two queens in one year.

“They’re not very similar,” she deadpanned, “and that’s good. We’ve started filming on The Crown and I’m having a lovely time, so I hope I don’t let you down when it comes out. I can’t really compare the two queens. I don’t think Queen Elizabeth learned anything from Queen Anne!”

I then suggested that the heavily bewigged Nicholas Hoult, whose brilliant blue eyes are offset by a stunning Sandy Powell royal blue costume, and Joe Alwyn (otherwise known as Taylor Swift’s beau) were playing women as well.

“It was fabulous!” replied Hoult.

Colman: “I just want to give you a visual of Nick who is 6’ 2” with heels and a foot and a half of wig! None of us could look at him when we were acting because it was just too funny.”

Alwyn added, “It was a lot of fun running around in wigs, in high heels and in fancy costumes. It’s every man’s dream!”

While the film’s story delves into the power that the three women held as they made decisions on a whim that could effect millions of people, can it also be seen as a statement about women’s empowerment post MeToo#?

“Obviously I don’t mind that idea, but we can’t take credit because we started the project many years ago,” Lanthimo replied. “I think the positive aspect of this film is that it focuses on three female characters, which is rare. But what we tried to do is portray them as human beings, because most of the time, given the prevalent male gaze in cinema, women are portrayed as housewives or girlfriends or objects of desire. So we tried to show them as complex and complicated, wonderful and horrific. They are like every other human being.”

Source: marieclaire.com.au – The favourite film review

 

Olivia Colman named most powerful person in British TV

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Olivia Colman has been named the most powerful person in British television, according to a ranking by the Radio Times.

The actor, who will star as Queen Elizabeth II in the next series of Netflix’s The Crown, comes top of the magazine’s TV 100 power list, which attempts to rank the on-screen and behind-the-scenes individuals who have had an exceptional past year in British television.

Colman rose to prominence in Channel 4’s Peep Show before making award-winning performances in Broadchurch and The Night Manager. She is also due to star in the BBC’s forthcoming Les Misérables drama and as Strawberry in an adaptation of Watership Down.

Chris Chibnall, the new Doctor Who showrunner, takes second place, while third place is shared by siblings Daisy May and Charlie Cooper – the creators, writers and stars of BBC comedy This Country, which parodies rural life.

Other stars who make the top 10 include Declan Donnelly, who is preparing to host I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here without longt on-screen partner Ant McPartlin, BBC natural history presenter David Attenborough, and Luther star Idris Elba.

Hugh Grant is in seventh place following praise for his performance in A Very English Scandal, one spot above Vanessa Kirby, who won a Bafta for her portrayal of Princess Margaret in The Crown. Benedict Cumberbatch, who is preparing to play Vote Leave boss Dominic Cummings in a forthcoming Channel 4 drama, comes ninth following his performance in Sky’s Patrick Melrose, while Nicola Walker completes the top 10 after appearing in The Split and Unforgotten.

Other individuals to make the top 20 include Derry Girls writer Lisa McGee, BBC journalist Carrie Gracie, who helped campaign for equal pay, and Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan.

The list is drawn up by dozens of actors and industry executives from major broadcasters and independent production companies, including Sir Lenny Henry, ITV director of television Kevin Lygo, and Amazon’s director of original TV Georgia Brown. Radio Times editors then choose the final ranking.

Susanna Lazarus, RadioTimes.com associate editor, said: “At a time of rapid change in the way we watch TV, how appropriate that our list is topped by a brilliant performer who has starred in some of the biggest broadcast shows of recent times and is soon to become the queen of on-demand as the lead in Netflix’s The Crown.”

The top 20

  1. Olivia Colman
  2. Chris Chibnall
  3. Daisy May Cooper and Charlie Cooper
  4. Declan Donnelly
  5. Idris Elba
  6. David Attenborough
  7. Hugh Grant
  8. Vanessa Kirby
  9. Benedict Cumberbatch
  10. Nicola Walker
  11. Lisa McGee
  12. Gareth Southgate
  13. Carrie Gracie
  14. Richard Cowles
  15. Jodie Whittaker
  16. Laura Kuenssberg
  17. Romesh Ranganathan
  18. Gary Lineker
  19. Piers Morgan
  20. Lennie James

Source: theguardian.com – Olivia Colman named most powerful person on British TV

Since you’re here…

The Favourite to premiere at BFI London Film Festival Gala

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Credit to source

A new period drama starring Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz is to premiere during the BFI London Film Festival.

The Favourite will be shown on the event’s American Express Gala night at Cineworld in Leicester Square on October 18.

Directed by Academy Award-nominated director Yorgos Lanthimos, known for The Lobster, the film is set in the early 18th century against the backdrop of the war between England and France.

Colman plays Queen Anne, while Weisz portrays Lady Sarah, her close friend who governs the country while the tempestuous Queen is unwell.

However, Lady Sarah’s close bond with the Queen is threatened when charming new servant Abigail, played by Stone, arrives, and she sees a chance to return to her aristocratic roots.

The film also stars Nicholas Hoult, Joe Alwyn, Mark Gatiss, James Smith and Jenny Rainsford.

BFI London Film Festival artistic director Tricia Tuttle said: “This is wickedly funny film-making from Yorgos Lanthimos, who is operating at virtuoso frequency.

“The Favourite is a delight from start to finish, powered by a trio of riotous performances from Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz, who are all clearly revelling in the wit and rhythm of the script. The perfect Gala for our principal partner, American Express.”

The film festival kicks off on October 10 with Widows, directed by Steve McQueen and starring Viola Davis.

It ends on October 21, with Laurel and Hardy film Stan And Ollie, starring Steve Coogan and John C Reilly and directed by Filth director Jon S Baird.

Source: home.bt.com – Olivia Colman drama The Favourite to premiere at BFI London Film Festival Gala

 

The Favourite to have Venice world premiere

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The Favourite, the new Irish-produced film from The Lobster director Yorgos Lanthimos, which stars Olivia Colman, Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, is to receive its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.

The period drama is the third collaboration between Greek director Lanthimos and Irish company Element Pictures, and follows their success with The Lobster and The Killing of a Sacred Deer. Lanthimos, Colman and Weisz previously worked together on The Lobster.

Set in the early 18th Century, The Favourite promises much in the way of political and personal intrigue involving Britain’s Queen Anne (Colman), the Duchess of Marlborough (Weisz) and her servant, Abigail Hill (Stone).

Sensing an opportunity to move back up the social ladder, Abigail becomes the Queen’s new companion and, we are told, “she will not let woman, man, politics or rabbit stand in her way”.

The Favourite will screen in competition at the Venice International Film Festival, which runs from August 29 to September 8.

It will be released worldwide by film studio Fox Searchlight, opening in US cinemas on November 23 – a key month in awards season – and in Ireland on January 1.

One of the film’s Irish producers, Element Pictures’ Ed Guiney, described Venice as “the ideal world premiere for Yorgos’ bold and audacious foray into period filmmaking”.

“We hope audiences will embrace this unique and entertaining film and we are delighted to be working with Fox Searchlight on its international release,” he added.

Source: rte.ie – Irish film The Favourite to have Venice world premiere

Olivia Colman says that working with Judi Dench on Murder on the Orient Express was “heaven”

Posted on by BeverleyButterfly

Olivia Colman is adding another great role to her CV, as she’s about to play a key part in blockbuster Murder on the Orient Express.

She plays Hildegarde Schmidt, handmaiden to Judi Dench’s character Princess Dragomiroff, and it sounds like she couldn’t have had a better experience on set.

“It was heaven,” she said, speaking on The Andrew Marr Show. “I sat next to Judi Dench all day, holding a dog. It was heaven!”

The Broadchurch actress was recently announced to be taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Clare Foy in Netflix drama The Crown.

And Colman revealed all about just how excited she was to hear the news about her casting.

“I was on speaker phone in the car with my husband and we’d recently finished watching The Crown,” she said. “And my agent said, ‘Would you go and meet, as a secret, about a tiara?’

“She was trying to be subtle and I went ‘The Crown?! The Crown?! Oh my god yes!’ And my husband was silently clapping in the background.

“So we were quite excited – I was very excited!”

She and Murder on the Orient Express co-star Michelle Pfeiffer also spoke about the recent allegations surrounding Harvey Weinstein, with Colman pointing out that “women in their 20’s are purposefully targeted”.

Pfeiffer added: “I’ve had some experiences. I have to say since this has all come out, there really hasn’t been one woman that I’ve talked to who hasn’t had an experience.

“And it just goes to show you how systemic the problem is.”

Source: digitalspy.com – Olivia Colman says that working with Judi Dench was heaven

Olivia Colman admits she’s scared to replace Claire Foy for The Crown season 3

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There will be a new queen in town when Olivia Colman replaces Claire Foy on season three of Netflix’s The Crown.

Charting the life and times of the Windsor dynasty, The Crown season three will tackle a time jump for the biographical drama, and include a whole new cast.

Speaking to Radio Times, Colman revealed that she was nervous to take over from Foy to play the country’s longest-reigning monarch.

“She was just very supportive,” confirmed Colman. “She said I’ll have a lovely time, everyone on it is amazing; the voice coaching is impeccable… I’m just full of fear because you don’t want to be the one who screws it up.”

But it sounds like Foy is more than happy to leave behind some handy hints, as Colman added: “She’s lovely, and she said I can call her anytime.”

Foy has already passed her judgement on the casting, and thankfully, Colman’s fear seems to be equally outweighed by her excitement to take on the iconic role of Queen Elizabeth II.

“I have remained ridiculously excited since. I’m trying to be cool,” the Broadchurch and Murder on the Orient Express star said.

“My agent was trying to be subtle, not knowing who was in the car with me, and she went, ‘It’s something about a tiara’, and I went ‘Oh, it’s The Crown!'”

Foy will leave after season 2, leaving Colman as an older version of the Queen in season 3 and 4 of the The Crown.

With six seasons expected from Peter Morgan’s historical heart-warmer, it’s expected that Colman will portray Elizabeth II in the middle of her life.

But with season 2 of The Crown still yet to hit the streaming giant, fans of the show will have to wait until 2019 before they can see Colman pick up the sceptre.

The Crown returns for its second season on Netflix on Friday, December 8.

Source: digitalspy.co.uk – Olivia Colman admits she’s scared to replace Claire Foy for the Crown season 3