FIRST IMPRESSIONS: UNA STUBBS
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve just finished filming Tractate Middoth, which is a one-off BBC Two drama written by Mark Gatiss, the writer and co-creator of Sherlock.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m reading to my grandchildren and they’re all in clean pyjamas and we’re in a pile on the bed.
What is your greatest fear?
Something bad happening to one of my children or family.
What is your earliest memory?
Scraping the paint off my cot with my one tooth.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My father. He was the greatest man I have ever known.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I’m Mrs Anxious. And it gets worse when you get older. Think how you are when you are younger; well, it doubles when you get older.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Bigotry and cruelty of any form.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My hair. It’s gone all fluffy now I’m older; it used to be heavy.
What is your most treasured possession?
My house.
And your favourite book?
Crime And Punishment because it’s such a fantastic story. It gets you up in the night to carry on reading it; it’s the most amazing story, amazingly told. I thought Dostoevsky would be too difficult, but I was surprised how easy he was to read. My favourite book used to be Middlemarch.
Your favourite film?
I love Roman Holiday. Gregory Peck was lovely in that film.
Your favourite piece of music?
Fanfare For The Common Man by Aaron Copland.
What is your favourite meal?
Homemade soup, followed by cheese, coffee and a piece of cake.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Van Gogh, to tell him how much his paintings are going for. He never sold one in his lifetime, except to his brother. I’d also have Sir Christopher Wren, to tell him that St Paul’s Cathedral is still the most beautiful in London. And Tracey Emin, Janet Street-Porter… and Gregory Peck. We will sit him next to me.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I think I’ve been pretty lucky. So far!
Do you believe in aliens?
No.
What is your secret vice?
Watching Big Brother. I thought it was fascinating, but I stopped watching because it went off. Although I thought the last series, with Emma Willis presenting, was very interesting. She’s very good.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Sorry.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A balcony.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She was good fun’.
The new series of Sherlock, featuring Una Stubbs as Mrs Hudson, will air in December on BBC One, while Tractate Middoth will be broadcast on BBC Two over the Christmas period.
I’ve just finished filming Tractate Middoth, which is a one-off BBC Two drama written by Mark Gatiss, the writer and co-creator of Sherlock.
When are you at your happiest?
When I’m reading to my grandchildren and they’re all in clean pyjamas and we’re in a pile on the bed.
What is your greatest fear?
Something bad happening to one of my children or family.
What is your earliest memory?
Scraping the paint off my cot with my one tooth.
Who has been your greatest influence?
My father. He was the greatest man I have ever known.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I’m Mrs Anxious. And it gets worse when you get older. Think how you are when you are younger; well, it doubles when you get older.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Bigotry and cruelty of any form.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
My hair. It’s gone all fluffy now I’m older; it used to be heavy.
What is your most treasured possession?
My house.
And your favourite book?
Crime And Punishment because it’s such a fantastic story. It gets you up in the night to carry on reading it; it’s the most amazing story, amazingly told. I thought Dostoevsky would be too difficult, but I was surprised how easy he was to read. My favourite book used to be Middlemarch.
Your favourite film?
I love Roman Holiday. Gregory Peck was lovely in that film.
Your favourite piece of music?
Fanfare For The Common Man by Aaron Copland.
What is your favourite meal?
Homemade soup, followed by cheese, coffee and a piece of cake.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Van Gogh, to tell him how much his paintings are going for. He never sold one in his lifetime, except to his brother. I’d also have Sir Christopher Wren, to tell him that St Paul’s Cathedral is still the most beautiful in London. And Tracey Emin, Janet Street-Porter… and Gregory Peck. We will sit him next to me.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has ever said to you?
I think I’ve been pretty lucky. So far!
Do you believe in aliens?
No.
What is your secret vice?
Watching Big Brother. I thought it was fascinating, but I stopped watching because it went off. Although I thought the last series, with Emma Willis presenting, was very interesting. She’s very good.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes.
Which phrase do you most overuse?
Sorry.
What single thing would improve the quality of your life?
A balcony.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘She was good fun’.
The new series of Sherlock, featuring Una Stubbs as Mrs Hudson, will air in December on BBC One, while Tractate Middoth will be broadcast on BBC Two over the Christmas period.