Maxine Peake on Being Doubted as an Actor, Underestimated for Being Northern & Standing Up for Her Politics

About this episode

<p>Maxine Peake has never been particularly interested in fitting in, or taking no for an answer.</p><p>From refusing to leave drama school when she was told she wasn’t cut out to be an actor, to securing her RADA scholarship with a bold promise to “rob a bank” if she couldn’t afford it, Maxine has always followed her own path. In this episode, she joins Anita to talk about growing up working class in the North, finding her place in an industry that didn’t always make space for women like her, and learning to trust her own voice.</p><p>Maxine opens up about the classism and typecasting she experienced early in her career, specifically around being northern and overweight, and the pressure to conform to other people’s expectations of what an actress should be. She also speaks candidly about the personal and professional consequences of speaking out on political issues - including public backlash and losing work - as well as the pressures of social media and comparing yourself to others online.</p><p>Now in her 50s, Maxine is busier than she’s ever been, with her career continuing to accelerate and no signs of slowing down. She reflects on finding creative freedom later in life, trusting her instincts, and why refusing to accept no for an answer is one of the most powerful things you can do.</p><p>You can watch Maxine’s new show<em> <u><a href="https://tv.apple.com/us/show/last-seen/umc.cmc.4pbw9c936a4pigdvsg23u2bsa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Last Seen</a></u></em><u><a href="https://tv.apple.com/us/show/last-seen/umc.cmc.4pbw9c936a4pigdvsg23u2bsa" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> on Apple TV</a></u> now</p><br><p>If you enjoyed the show, follow us at…</p><br><p>Instagram - <u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sistersofdefiance/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@sistersofdefiance</a></u></p><p>Anita - <u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/itsanitarani/?hl=en" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@itsanitarani</a></u></p><p>Maxine - <u><a href="https://www.instagram.com/betteblavatsky/reels/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@betteblavatsky</a></u></p><p>Subscribe to us on YouTube - <u><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@itsanitarani</a></u></p><p>And if you&#39;ve got thoughts, questions and comments, you can email us at: <u><a href="mailto:hello@sistersofdefiance.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hello@sistersofdefiance.com</a></u></p><br><p>00:00:00 Coming up</p><p>00:00:49 Introduction</p><p>00:02:48 Maxine’s current career </p><p>00:04:38 Navigating politics and getting acting roles</p><p>00:06:28 Working with Michaela Coel and Kate Winslet</p><p>00:11:58 Childhood &amp; being defiant</p><p>00:15:02 Starting acting and dealing with rejection</p><p>00:17:18 Family dynamics</p><p>00:22:47 Joining the Communist Party and political roots</p><p>00:25:14 Class stereotypes, accents, and privilege in Acting</p><p>00:31:16 Persisting with acting</p><p>00:35:22 Getting in to RADA </p><p>00:36:51 Clubbing with Sara Cox</p><p>00:39:30 Ancient &amp; Brave ad</p><p>00:41:47 Ancient &amp; Brave Weekly Ritual</p><p>00:46:18 Securing the RADA scholarship and auditioning for Richard Eyre</p><p>00:51:33 Working with Victoria Wood on Dinner Ladies</p><p>00:53:45 Backlash over Political Statements </p><p>01:00:15 What’s next for Maxine</p><p>01:05:00 Library of Wisdom</p><p>01:06:42 Playing Myra Hindley</p><p>01:09:06 Dance playlist</p><p>01:10:56 Anxiety and hormonal changes</p><p>01:12:47 Through the portal</p><p>01:15:37 Quickfire questions</p><p>01:22:35 Outro</p><p>Sisters of Defiance is nourished by Ancient &amp; Brave</p><p><a href="https://ancientandbrave.earth/pages/planet" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ancientandbrave.earth</a></p><br><p>Our official charity partner, Choose Love, is a movement of people who are putting love into action. They get emergency aid and life-changing support directly to displaced communities, fast. You can donate to Choose Love here:</p><p><u><a href="https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/?utm_source=website&amp;utm_medium=donatebutton&amp;_gl=1*azqk2g*_gcl_au*MTUwNDc3NjM4LjE3ODYzNTIzMzg.*_ga*NjE1MzkzNjEuMTczNjM0Nzg0Nw..*_ga_528635CDJG*czE3OTIxNTE1MTEkbzE2OCRnMSR0MTc5MjE1MTUxMSRqNjAkbDAkaDA.*_ga_H8318VSN03*czE3OTIxNTE1MTEkbzg5JGcwJHQxNzkyMTUxNTExJGo2MCRsMCRoMA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/donate/</a></u></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>