Miriam Margolyes Unveils Her Whole Self in "Made Me Me"

Oh, Miriam Margolyes! Just the name conjures images of unbridled honesty, a hearty laugh, and perhaps a slightly mischievous twinkle in her eye. And now, the truly beloved, wonderfully candid actress is inviting us all on a remarkably intimate journey through her life with her new BBC Two series, aptly titled "Miriam Margolyes: Made Me Me." This isn't just another celebrity profile, mind you; it's a profound, often hilarious, and surprisingly vulnerable deep dive into the very fabric of who she is and what has shaped her extraordinary existence.

From the bustling streets of Oxford, where she spent her formative years, to the complexities of her relationship with her parents – a rather pushy father and a more melancholic mother – Margolyes lays it all bare. You get a real sense of her early struggles, the feeling of being an outsider, even a "fat child" as she so bluntly puts it, enduring the cruel taunts of bullies. It’s those early experiences, the ones that sting, that often leave the deepest imprints, don't they? And for Miriam, they undoubtedly played a significant role in forging the resilient, outspoken woman we know today.

The series, which is also available on BBC iPlayer, doesn’t shy away from any aspect of her life, including her very open and early embrace of her sexuality, long before it was commonplace. We hear about her acting journey, not always a straightforward path, and her rather refreshing admission that financial security often played a hand in her choices. It's a pragmatic approach, certainly, and one that feels incredibly human. Interestingly, despite her considerable fame, she candidly admits to not actually enjoying it all that much – a sentiment many might find surprising, yet utterly understandable when you consider the constant scrutiny.

One of the most touching segments, by all accounts, features her interviewing the late, great Vanessa Redgrave. This wasn’t just a professional encounter; it was a deeply personal one, a testament to a long-standing friendship that meant the world to Miriam. There’s a beautiful vulnerability here, a moment where her characteristic bravado softens, revealing a person who, despite her often fierce exterior, genuinely yearns to be liked. It's a thread that runs through the whole series, this universal human desire for acceptance, even for someone as seemingly self-possessed as Margolyes.

Indeed, while she's renowned for her glorious bluntness and her delightful, unfiltered pronouncements – which, let's be honest, we all secretly adore – "Made Me Me" peels back those layers. It shows us the underlying sensitivity, the thoughtfulness that informs her worldview. It's a stark reminder that even the most seemingly robust personalities have their quiet moments, their insecurities, and their profound reflections on a life lived fully and authentically. She doesn't just talk about her life; she feels it, and that's precisely what makes this series so compelling.

In essence, "Miriam Margolyes: Made Me Me" is a triumph of honest storytelling. It’s an invitation to spend time with a truly unique individual, to laugh with her, perhaps even to shed a little tear, and certainly to come away with a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted woman behind the legend. She is, quite simply, an absolute national treasure, and this series feels like a generous gift, allowing us to truly understand what made her… well, her.