Inspiring people: What makes a National Treasure?

Inspiration can come from anywhere and in any form, but where do the creative talent that we see on screen find theirs? BAFTA’s Owen Bush asked stars Nicola Coughlan, Billie Piper, Sophie Willan, Katherine Parkinson and Monica Dolan who they would class as a ‘National Treasure’ and delved into everything from why they loved them so much, their stand out roles and how they felt they had influenced their own work…

For Nicola Coughlan choosing a National Treasure was easy. The Derry Girls star immediately named Andrew Scott saying: “He just brings such realism to every role he plays and such humanity… he can basically do anything.”

Referencing Scott’s theatre performance in Present Laughter at The Old Vic theatre Coughlan described the Fleabag star doing Noel Coward as: “Just absolute heaven. He made it come alive.”

But how does Coughlan think Scott has impacted her own work? Well by being an inspiration, she said: “He’s such a lovely person. I think he’s a prime example of someone who is very successful and is very kind hearted. And I think it’s evident how he approaches roles with such an open heart. So he’s just a really inspiring and brilliant actor….

“He is the perfect example of a brilliant Irishman, and they should erect a statue to him in Dublin yesterday. Not today, it’s too late. Let’s get it going.”

Billie Piper’s choice of National Treasure is someone that has been close to her heart for decades… none other than Hugh Grant. “I’ve loved him since the 90s,” the former Doctor Who companion proudly declared.

Reflecting on which of the Heretic star’s many films would be her favourite Piper said: “I think it’s Four Weddings… I mean, they’re all really great. And I do love some of his recent stuff as well. And obviously, we all love his press tours. He’s like, goals for a press tour. If only I could be that miserable, that honest. That ungrateful. I would just love to be that.”

And does Piper think Grant’s performances have impacted her own work? In a word yes. She said: “His style of acting has completely impacted mine to some extent. I mean, we’re obviously worlds apart in many ways, but I think that he would have changed it for a lot of people because there was something so human and so sort of real and natural about his style of acting, certainly in the early days.”

The person gaining National Treasure status from Alma’s Not Normal star Sophie Willan is Julie Walters. “I grew up with her, watching her with my grandma”, Willan shared.

Explaining how inspiring she found Walters’ career Willan said: “She nipped in to film, which is always quite inspiring for a TV comedy actress to get themselves into films with a kind of regional accent. I just love her. I’ve always loved her. She’s fabulous.”

In terms of personal impact though what is it about Walters’ work that speaks to Willan. “She’s about the craft and the acting and the joy of that and not all the nonsense. And I love that”, she says. And Willan adds: “like everybody you need to see people who you relate to, and I relate to Julie. I’ve always related to her.”

• Check back next week to find out who Katherine Parkinson and Monica Dolan picked as their National Treasures.