The collaboration between Simon Draper and Miriam Margolyes on a podcast has not only showcased their creative synergy but also highlighted the vibrant and unconventional lifestyle of Margolyes. This partnership, pitched as Margolyes’ ‘final act’, has drawn attention to the challenges and joys of producing content with a beloved yet unpredictable figure in the entertainment industry.
Simon Draper, a seasoned TV director, previously worked with Margolyes on the 2016 documentary The Real Marigold on Tour. Their rapport blossomed into a podcast project that aimed to capture Margolyes’ unique perspectives and experiences. However, Draper soon discovered that creating the podcast was far from straightforward. “I thought getting Miriam Margolyes to make a podcast would be easy, after all, everyone’s doing them, but Miriam’s lifestyle is bonkers,” Draper remarked, illustrating the complexities involved in their collaboration.
Margolyes, now 84 years old, is renowned for her roles in popular productions such as Harry Potter and Call The Midwife. Her career has been marked by a series of remarkable achievements, including an Oscar nomination for her performance in the short film A Friend of Dorothy. Despite her success, Margolyes has opted for a modest lifestyle, currently residing in the basement of her Clapham home, which she has lived in since 1975. She shares this space with two lodgers, Emily and George, who have become a part of her unconventional family dynamic.
Over the course of two years, Draper and Margolyes managed to produce only five episodes of the podcast, a testament to the challenges they faced. The podcast project was deeply personal for Margolyes, who has made over £320,000 from Cameo requests, showcasing her popularity and the affection her fans have for her. Draper even went to the extent of selling his guitar collection to fund his travels to Australia, where he worked with Margolyes on the podcast, further underscoring the commitment both have to this creative endeavor.
Margolyes has a rich history with Australia, having purchased her home there in 1993. Recently, she has put this property up for sale, with a price guide ranging from £3.95 million to £4.2 million. This move comes as she plans to relocate to Tuscany with her partner, Heather Sutherland, with whom she has shared a loving relationship for 58 years. Margolyes expressed her desire for a more serene environment, stating, “The world around us has lost its charm. And we just want each other in a beautiful place which we know.”
The documentary Miriam Margolyes Made Me Me is set to air on BBC Two, further expanding her reach and influence in the media landscape. Draper has described their working relationship as familial, stating, “We’re like a family: we eat together, work together and most of all love one another deeply, despite it sometimes feeling like the three of us couldn’t be more different.” This sentiment reflects the deep bond that has formed between them, despite the challenges they faced in producing the podcast.
As the podcast project comes to a close, the future remains uncertain. While Margolyes is preparing for her next chapter in Tuscany, the impact of her collaboration with Draper will likely resonate with fans and followers for years to come. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential future projects or collaborations, leaving audiences eager for what might come next from this dynamic duo.