When I found out there was to be a short television film about Mo Molam I was confused. Why Mo Mowlam of all people? Then, to be informed Julie Walters was playing her my confusion grew more so. However, having the privilege of meeting actress the amazing actress she told Esper what really made her play the part of Mo Mowlam.

Julie, what made you want to play the role of Mo Molam so much?

“It’s really well written because someone really wanted to write about her. There’s nothing formulaic about it. She’s a really interesting woman, it’s very well written, and I knew her. I didn’t know her personally, but I knew who she was, what she sounded like and so on. All the other real people I have played in the past I didn’t know. It was a challenge, a huge challenge. We look nothing alike- she was a big, big woman, in every sense. She put a lot of weight on because she was ill, she was tall and it was a huge physical challenge to get inside who she was. It was fascinating, everyone has got a view on her, and everybody remembers her, even people who weren’t interested in politics.

At the centre of the whole story is Mo’s marriage to her husband, which is played by David Haig. They were very much in love, weren’t they?

Yeah, they were. They were shagging all the time! Her ‘non-wanker-banker” husband, she used to call him. David Haig is absolutely wonderful in the role, he’s such a good actor.

But this film is not just for those who have a passion for politics is it?

Oh god, definitely not! It’s a very human story. The politics is interesting, but it’s almost in the background, which everything was I guess. She was this tornado that went through life with everything else happening around her. It’s about who she was, it’s about her love for her husband, it’s about caring for people, it’s about dealing with the tumour, it’s about her courage. But it’s not sentimental, that’s why it’s special.

Julie playing Mo on set. Intresting fact: she even shaved part of her head for the part of Mo Molam when she falls ill!

Having seen the film already I have noticed that you managed to film at the real locations such as Hillsborough Castle and Stormont. Did you feel the sense of history there when filming?

Oh yeh, definitely. And with Hillsborough I also had this documentary that Granada had shot of Mo year ago which was brilliant because they kept the camera rolling all the time, so you got her between the takes talking about having lunch and all her unguarded moments. So I was able to get a real feel for her. It also showed her taking the cameras round the castle and talking about it, and where they used to sit ads which bits they didn’t use. Then there’s Stormont. It’s a really impressive bit of architecture. Talk about “We are in charge of you!” Bloody hell. When you get up there and you go out on the front steps, everything else is down below you.

Was an element of poignancy for you as you are part Irish?

Well, my mother was from the south, but yes, a little bit.. Because she used to go on about the absentee landlords, and how the Irish were starving while they were living the high life. She’d get angry about it sometimes. So yes, I do feel that a bit.

What image are you left with of Mo?

Hmmm, there were things like showing her knickers- she did that a lot and often without any on. In the House of Commons, at the benches opposite, or so I heard, I don’t know it that’s true. But that sort of thing is hard, I felt for her. But the image I’m left with is of her being the MP for Redcar, and the way she dealt with people. She was always laughing with everyone and being right at the heart of the community. Her courage was inspiring. Not just with her illness, but as a person she was upfront, take me or leave me approach.

Finally, in your canon of work, where does this sit?

I’m really thrilled to have been part of it. Bit where does it sit? I don’t know. I wouldn’t like to say it’s very precious. Because she was very precious, she was the people’s politician.

Indeed, Julie is correct, the film Mo gives a great deep insight in Mo Molam as a person as well as a politician. The film offers an emotional, yet touching story on one of the most famous women in British politics.

TX Date: 31^st January 2010, Channel 4 at 9pm

Overall Rating: 9/10