Funnily Enough, the film location...

The book 'Funnily Enough' is largely set at my parent's house in the Cotswolds, revolving around the real life antics of my mother in 1991. Twenty-four years later she is still going strong.

Having recently appeared in Broadchurch, playing Charlotte Rampling's ancient mother, Mum has just finished filming Cold Caller, a short film by Philip Cook, shot on location in her own garden, which was very convenient.

It is a chilling tale shot by Matt Bigwood and produced by George Collings. Mum plays Marjorie, an old lady who receives a call from a certain security expert who does not take his gloves off when he accepts a cup of tea. It is soon clear why the director wanted to use a garden with a deep lake.

It has been fun following the development of this short film in the press and on Facebook.

It has won a number of awards:

The body is still to be found.

Mum appearing in 'The Invisible Woman'

Mum appears at the beginning of this trailer for The Invisible Woman, directed by Ralph Fiennes.

'Truly, Mr Dickens,' she assures him. 'It is never so alive as when it is spoken by its author.'

The hectic scene was shot on location at Harrow School where her grandson was a pupil. Her wig was originally made for Judy Dench and she rather liked the bonnet.

'Have you seen the film, Mum?'
'Seen the film? I was invited to the premier!'

They had cast party on a barge going down the Thames - and I could have gone!

Mum on Television

It can be rather a shock. There we are, innocently watching television and Mum appears - with George Cole. 

In 'Minder' with George Cole 

Then my friends ring to ask if it was true. 

'Is she working as a receptionist now?'

'Not, exactly. She was just playing the part of a receptionist on 'London's Burning'.'

or 

'We saw your mother in tears, terribly upset!'

'Oh, dear, have they been repeating 'Prime Suspect'?'

'Yes! That's what is was. Helen Mirren was the detective.'

It was a bit confusing when Mum appeared as a Magistrate when she was one in real life. 

Chariman of the bench in 'Close Relations' for BBC TV

She was rather shocked to see herself with a Mrs Thatcher hair-do but I told her that it would probably lead to another part. Instead she ended up wearing this curly wig. Theatrical wigs tend to be terribly itchy.

Playing the Headmistress in 'House of Elliott' for BBC
with Louise Lombard and Stella Gonet

She loves climbing into a costume but would rather wear a hat.

On location with Gregor Fisher filming 'Rab C.Nesbitt'

With Roderick Smith in 'Dangerfield'

Filming 'To The Manor Born' one chilly day

And to give her her due, she gets to meet interesting people in interesting places. She readily admits that appearing on television is her hobby as well being her job. She loves it. We just have to be stoic viewers.

Playing Laura's Mum in 'Secret Smile' for Granada
with David Tennant

To see more about Daphne Neville's work in film and television please click here.