Celia Imrie, the acclaimed British actress and author, recently reflected on her life, career, and continuing passion for the arts during an interview conducted in Rome. Known for a lengthy and varied acting career spanning more than five decades, Imrie is currently promoting her latest book, *The Elegant Hustler*, a travel memoir, during a speaking engagement aboard the Queen Anne cruise ship.
Imrie’s early life was marked by modest beginnings. Raised in Surrey, England, she did not travel abroad until her early twenties. Her initial exposure to international work came when she accepted a position as assistant stage manager on a Royal Shakespeare Company tour of *Hedda Gabler*, despite initially wanting only to act. The experience enabled her to see the world and build lasting friendships, including with actress Glenda Jackson, who she credits as an influence on her career and outlook.
Health challenges have shaped much of Imrie’s adult life. In 2005, she survived two pulmonary embolisms that now prevent her from flying, forcing her to rely on trains and boats for travel. Additionally, she has spoken candidly about her adolescent struggles with anorexia nervosa, for which she was treated at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, including undergoing controversial electroconvulsive therapy. These experiences, she said, strengthened her resolve to embrace life fully, travel widely, and pursue work that brings her satisfaction.
Throughout her career, Imrie has favored character roles over the traditional “pretty young thing” parts. She expressed frustration with the limited and stereotypical roles offered to older female actors, particularly those portraying illness or disability, which she prefers to avoid despite having received critical acclaim for a recent portrayal of a woman with dementia in the play *Backstroke* at London's Donmar Warehouse. Imrie emphasized the pervasive challenges women face in the entertainment industry as they age, highlighting the disparity compared to their male counterparts.
Beyond acting, Imrie is a prolific writer. She has authored six novels, often comic capers with historical elements, and an autobiography. *The Elegant Hustler* marks a departure as a travel memoir, reflecting her extensive personal journeys in recent years. Despite her advancing age, she remains enthusiastic about new projects. Her upcoming roles include a character named Francine in *Tomb Raider*, written and directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, a part she describes as “marvellous.”
Imrie also recounted her experience on the reality television program *Celebrity Traitors*, where the single phone call she was allowed was to wish her grandson Jude a happy seventh birthday. She spoke warmly of her family life, including her son Angus, himself an actor, and the support she received raising him.
As she continues to work and write, Imrie stresses a determined approach to her career. “I have so much running around left to do,” she said with a smile, underscoring her enduring commitment to creativity and engagement in her seventh decade.