11 October 2026
Hello and welcome to Acting on Experience and our first bonus newsletter for Lesley Nicol's episode.
I'm who you might hear Michael refer to on the podcast as "Producer Ian" and I'll be putting these emails together. The aim of this is to share some insight into our thoughts on each conversation, give some behind the scenes intel on how each episode was made, highlight some of the talking points, share further reading, and provide you some links to the films, tv shows, books, etc, that are discussed - to be upfront, some of these links might earn us commission if you use them, we'll also label these clearly and in turn they'll help us fund the production.
The reason shy people become actors is because you're being somebody else. It's so empowering. You can suddenly be what you can't be in life. That's the draw.
Work mentioned in the episode
Downton Abbey - DVD Boxset
by Julian Fellowes (TV show)
Lesley's defining role as Mrs Patmore. In our conversation she talks about Julian Fellowes giving Mrs Patmore vulnerability and altering the character once he saw how she interacted with the cast.
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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by BBC (TV show)
The 1988 BBC adaptation in which Lesley played Mrs Beaver. She describes it as one of her early mini breaks and remembers Dan Stevens tearing up when he realised she had played the role.
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Mr Bates vs The Post Office
by ITV (TV show)
Named in Michael's introduction as one of Lesley's most impactful recent credits, a powerful drama of real events that provoked huge reactions from the audience.
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East is East
by Ayub Khan Din (Film)
Lesley originated the role at the Royal Court and reprised it in the feature film. She talks about touring it and its cultural impact as a story about a mixed race family.
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Dinner Ladies
by Victoria Wood (TV show)
Lesley mentions appearing in an episode alongside Anne Reid.
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Silence of the Lambs
by Jonathan Demme (Film)
Referenced in the Anthony Hopkins Hannibal Lecter moment where he pops his head around the door and does the face at Lesley.
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