If there’s one thing Miriam Margolyes wants her new documentary, Miriam Margolyes In New Zealand, to be, it’s entertaining. And thanks in large part to the beloved, no-holds-barred host, the two-part series certainly is that.
“These shows aren’t meant to be like lessons, although I am terribly much like a teacher – that’s why I was cast as Professor Sprout,” says the actress, 83, referencing her Harry Potter character. “I want people to have fun, and to learn about the country and these people, and how different people’s lives can be from one’s own. I want to tell people the truth.”
Similarly to her Almost Australian series, the show sees Miriam venture through Aotearoa in the hope of gaining more insight into the islands she admits she knew very little about.
“I thought of it as a dear little place,” says Miriam. “But I didn’t realise the passion and the focus people have in New Zealand – they’re very proud of themselves. There’s a fierce pride in the nation and an awareness of the influence of the Māori people.”
Through her travels, Miriam meets a wide range of locals, including farmers, nuns, the Black Ferns, Below Deck’s Aesha Scott, family members of Pike River victims and even a Mongrel Mob biker.
“I don’t normally meet gang members,” she laughs. “But everyone’s human and that’s the thing – if you can find the source of humanity in people, you can learn a lot and that’s what I most enjoy.”
Miriam adds that how welcoming Kiwis were to a “posh-sounding potty-mouth” like her often left her floored. “I know I sound frightfully posh, but I’m not posh at all. The great thing is, I’ve got a friendly face.
“When you look at my face, you know you’re going to be safe. I’m not going to say horrible things to you. I’m interested and I’ll listen. I might swear, but my heart is open and almost childlike. I just feel fascinated by people.”
Miriam’s wickedly funny 2021 autobiography This Much Is True didn’t spare the gory details when it came to her early sex-capades or encounters with celebrities, including “smelly” Leonardo DiCaprio and “total s**t” John Cleese. At the time, she claimed it would be her first and only book.
“That turned out to be a lie,” tells Miriam. “It sold so well, which I never expected, so the publisher said, ‘If you write another book, we’ll pay you a huge amount of money,’ and I said, ‘Alright!’”
Her 2023 follow-up, Oh, Miriam! Stories From An Extraordinary Life, contained chapters titled “Breast is best”, “Always talk about sex” and “Swearing is good for you”. She says, “I trouble some people by my openness, but I think, ‘Well, tough titty’!”
This openness extends to an entire chapter on her famous flatulence. “You’d think I was the only person that farted!” she chuckles. “I do fart, but we all do. I mean, it’s a totally human thing. It’s just because I’ve talked about it and I’ve done it on air. But I don’t do it to upset people – I’ve just got a windy belly and it sort of pops out. What are we supposed to do?”
It’s this signature sauce that has seen the pensioner become a regular guest on The Graham Norton Show and amass a new generation of much younger fans in the process.
“I’m on TikTok too!” she squeals excitedly. “There’s a website called Cameo where people pay you to do little pep talks and birthday greetings. I’m one of the most popular celebrities as some of the things I say are a bit rude. Anyway, people are putting my messages on TikTok and I’ve gone viral, apparently!”
But most of all, the acclaimed character actress – who has starred in film classics like The Age Of Innocence, Yentl, Little Shop Of Horrors and Romeo + Juliet – simply feels incredibly lucky to be making insightful documentaries while still remaining busy on screens.
“I’ve become the poor man’s Joanna Lumley!” she jokes. “I’m just terribly proud because I started out as an actress and I’ve been able to increase my potential as a human being. I’m thrilled, really, but I’m 83, so it’s pretty amazing I’m doing anything at all!
“Getting old is bollocks, but you just have to do the best you can. I know my partner loves me, and I’m still ducking, diving and having a go. I value and love life, and I want it to go on as long as possible.”
Miriam Margolyes In New Zealand premieres 7.30pm Sunday 9 February on Sky Open and Neon.
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