Honor Blackman interview
Honor Blackman guest stars as Ed's mum Rose in Series 2...
What made you eager to become involved in You, Me & Them?
I loved the first series - it was such fun. I think Anthony and Eve are so lovely. It's a really good relationship at the heart of the show, and they're such wonderful actors. They're always terrific and make me laugh like mad!
Please outline your character for us...
Rose is not that nice, to be honest! She's a thoroughly selfish woman, but is quite good fun. The problem is, while she is having fun, not a lot of other people are! She loves her family, but nothing stands in the way of her doing what she wants.
Do you know anyone like that in real life?
Yes, I know one or two people like that. They're lovely, interesting people, but they don't let anything get in their way. If you try to block them, they'll still do whatever they please - no matter if it inconveniences anyone else.
How does she get on with Ed and Lauren?
At first, Rose seems fun. But Ed knows her all too well. He warns Lauren that she'll bring trouble and thinks that the sooner they get rid of Rose the better. But Lauren doesn't believe it. She says to Ed, 'What do you mean? She's great fun!'
I'm not going to give the game away, but you can feel sure that Rose enjoys what happens in this series, but no one else does!
How would you describe Rose's relationship with Ed?
It's very tricky. Ed has always been responsible for his younger brother Alan as their mother was always wafting off doing what she wanted. So there is not a lot of love lost between Rose and Ed. He blames her for abandoning them and leaving him to bring up his brother. No child would much care for a mother who put her own interests before theirs in that way. Alan, on the other hand, is gentler and just wants to be loved by his mother.
Weren't you supposed to have retired from acting Honor?
Sure, I am supposed to have retired, but this is such a funny comedy, I couldn't say no to it! It's also lovely still to be asked! My family laugh when I say I've retired. They say, 'You honestly think no one will ask you to do anything anymore?' - and, sure enough, then another offer comes up. It's like Pavlov's Dog - you answer the call because you've been doing it for so many years.
So you really don't envisage retiring at all?
I certainly have no plans to retire now, but it could happen, which is fine. When I was offered this, though, I simply couldn't resist. I thought, 'This script is really funny. Why not?!'