• Home
• /
• Entertainment

Domestic affairs of Anna Friel

Hollywood actress talks about the problems of sustaining a long distance relationship and tabloid rumours that drove her round the bend

ANNA FRIEL, 31, shot to fame as Beth Jordache in Brookside in the early Nineties and various film roles thereafter. Currently working in LA, Anna lives in Windsor with her partner, actor David Thewlis, and their two-year-old baby daughter Gracie.

Can you show your appreciation for someone you love?

Yes. From the very beginning in my relationship with David, I made a promise to myself that I'd never try to change him because I fell in love with him just as he was. He's very talented and committed to his career, which he was totally immersed in at the time, and it was important we both had space to breathe and do what we wanted.

What has been your biggest challenge?

Having said all that, there was a time when David and I were apart for six months and it was really difficult. If anyone is away from their partner for six months there will be problems, and it certainly put a strain on our relationship.

We spoke every single day, but we ran out of things to say to each other. Then he forgot Valentine's Day and I missed his birthday. Near the end, we were in a really bad state. I'd gone straight from New York to Toronto to start a new movie and he went to Australia to promote Harry Potter.

One day I told him on the phone: 'Get yourself on a plane to Toronto now!' and as soon as he did, we were fine. Now we want to minimise time spent away from each other. Of course, we'll have to do it sometimes, but not for six months - that was just too hard.

What are your views on marriage?

When I was younger I thought I'd meet the man of my dreams, get married and have a child. But it all went higgledy-piggledy and the last one happened in the wrong order. I'd like to get married, but David's been married before and we are not in any rush. I think I'll find it a bit hard to take it seriously when we do get around to it (I'll probably feel a bit stupid standing in my meringue dress), but never say never. I am very happy with David but you never know what's around the corner, so you just hope for the best.

What makes you angry?

After I gave birth to Gracie there was an awful lot of focus in the newspapers about me losing weight quickly and they all thought it was because I was preparing to be nude on screen.

One of the producers of Goal 2 was asked what I would be doing in the film, and he jokingly said I was a nymphette having sex all over the place. So the journalist ran a story about the awful pressure actresses have to endure in order to lose weight for roles. Then other newspapers accused me of being an irresponsible role model for young mothers. I'd like to put the record straight - I ate very healthily all the way through my pregnancy and afterwards.

I didn't do any extreme exercises (there were reports of me using fat-sucking machines and all sorts of silliness) and I didn't even go on a strict diet: I've never been on a strict diet in my life. I just don't overeat, and I don't eat if I'm not hungry. And there was no nudity in the film. All those stories upset both me and David very much.

Is there anything you are trying to quit, but can't?

Any self-destructiveness in my life comes in the form of worry. I used to think it was good for me to be a bit paranoid because it made my conscience very loud. I would justify it like that and then give myself hell - I was completely anxious until I had a child. Thankfully, being a mother puts things into a different perspective. Now my biggest worry is something happening to Gracie; anything else I can handle.

That's not to say I'm calm and collected all the time - I do still worry, but I'm getting a lot better as I get older.