Gillian Anderson says she is expecting to divide opinion as Margaret Thatcher in The Crown.
In an exclusive interview with the Evening Standard, Anderson, 51, said: “It is delicate. Regardless of the thoughts or feelings you may have, [this portrayal] is ultimately siphoned through the view of the crown and the Queen.
“I am sure some people will be satisfied and some won’t be. A lot of people have emotions invested in her [Thatcher]. They are invested in their hate or admiration, so I am sure there will be equally a lot of feelings about how she stands up in the series.”
The actress said she had not watched other noted portrayals of Lady Thatcher while preparing for the role — including Streep’s 2011 performance in The Iron Lady.
She said: “I saw it when it came out. I don’t recall enough about it to be influenced by it. It is so different. The Crown isn’t a biopic about her [Lady Thatcher].” But she admitted: “I would be interested after I am done, to see what was done.”
She described playing the former prime minister as “a change in pace” from her role in another Netflix hit, Sex Education. She stars as a sex therapist whose teenage son begins dispensing relationship advice to his fellow pupils. Anderson said: “I am glad there wasn’t overlap, that was quite necessary in the filming of it.”
Photo: New York Time Post