British actress, comedienne and writer, Miranda Hart, is turning heads, writes Debashine Thangevelo
SOCIALLY awkward, a bit of a klutz, a very dowdy, functional wardrobe and a rather unredeemable poorer cousin of Bridget Jones, so to speak, in the love department.
That was my introduction to Miranda Hart in her semi-autobiographical British comedy series, Miranda. And I absolutely loved it.
In many ways, it is similar to Lena Dunham’s Girls – an unapologetic journey through life. Although, at 42, Hart pipped Dunham down that road of self-deprecation for entertainment.
At a towering 1.85m and with a somewhat androgynous appearance, it is understandable why the actress, comedian and writer gravitated towards comedy. Well, that and the fact that she has a knack for it, which is quite odd given her aristocratic roots.
What’s rather interesting of late, though, is Hart’s glamorous makeover. Not only has she shed the flab, she has perfectly manicured nails, flawless makeup and a trendy haircut.
Bottom line – she is unrecognisable (in a complimentary way) these days. Hallelujah for that; and to Hollywood for inspiring the change after she was cast in Spy, which also stars Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham and Jude Law.
While on The Graham Norton Show, she shared: “I’m not going to lie, I would love the opportunity to go out there for a few months and potter about on a film set and do the odd scene with Matthew Perry. But I don’t see myself moving there.”
Of course, she can’t deny the additional attention after the movie. She laughed: “I get a variety of reactions, like someone singing What Have You Done… To Make Yourself Proud? too loudly and for too long at me in a shop. I don’t know how to respond and it creates some awkward moments.”
Moving along, the actress has also attracted a fair amount of attention for her role as Chummy Noakes in Call the Midwife.
Having spent the better part of her career anchored to comedy, her shift to drama was hard to gloss over. But the actress has been enjoying the gritty period drama.
Hart revealed: “I love its simplicity, its community, its simple living, the lack of technology, the music and the pace of life. We are edging into the ’60s now so it’s a different vibe, but there was still that post-war high of celebratory thinking of how wonderful it is to be alive.”
As for what’s in store for the fourth season, she hinted: “She’s as loved-up as ever with PC Noakes, but is also wondering what the next step is for her. However kind, lovely and people-focused she is, she has a bit of ambition as well. She wants the next challenge and I love her for that. She’s really nervy and vulnerable and doesn’t quite believe in herself, but boldly pushes herself to do the next thing.”
Commenting on the reasons behind the show’s longevity, she offered: “The show manages to mix the slight political angle with the gritty and dark area and add a touch of lightness. It’s ultimately still escapist viewing. Hopefully, people are hooked into the drama of the story, but not in an ‘I really can’t face life anymore’ way.”
Heidi Thomas, the show’s creator, writer and executive producer, added: “Working on series four has been really fascinating. Call the Midwife has always moved with the times and the shift from the late 1950s to early ’60s was an exciting, visceral time, both socially and in terms of medicine. Alongside all of this, we continue with the intimate, personal journeys of our regular characters, so it’s a very potent mix.”
Looks like Hart is changing with the times in real life, too. Not only is she eyeing work in Hollywood, she is dabbling in uncharted territory.
Then again, she is dressed for success these days…
• Call the Midwife, BBC Entertainment (DStv channel 120), June 21 at 9pm.