Posy Sterling
Harborough’s rising film star gives an exclusive interview.
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Since we last spoke, Harborough’s rising superstar Posy Sterling has been busy. She played the female lead in Channel 4’s Person Of Interest opposite Asim Chaudry and has just returned from the New York production of The Cherry Orchard. As her starring role in Lollipop hits cinema screens across the country, Posy took time out to come back to her hometown for a special photoshoot.
Welcome back to MaHa, Posy! How does it feel now that Lollipop has been released? Can you tell us a bit about the reaction it has had? The response has been overwhelming. It has been especially beautiful to witness women feeling so seen, resonating and receiving what they need to from the film. We all poured so much love into it, all the cast and crew, we knew it was special at the time. So, to be celebrating it now, sharing the story and getting to go to Q&A screenings across the country, hearing, seeing, feeling everyone’s reactions fills me with even more love! Of course, it still feels a little surreal at times though… What was the experience of making the film? Making the film was an intense and incredibly rewarding process. It was a big moment for me in my life and career as it showed me what I’m capable of. It informed me where I can really thrive and belong. I love being on film sets, there’s nowhere else like it, it’s my happy place to create and collaborate with other crazily talented people. Our director, Daisy-May, had a unique way of working that gave me even more safety, space and freedom. Going to work is exciting, there is so much unknown, you just have to just trust in the process. How were the younger actors to work with? They were phenomenal. Tegan-Mia, Luke and Aaliyah are all so talented and truthful, a bonus that we got on so well, and their parents were an absolute joy to have around on set. Wonderful people. Idil Ahmed, who plays Molly’s best friend in the film (and is a true friend to me in real life) is also Aaliyah’s real mum! Witnessing the real mother/daughter chemistry on set was incredibly special. Why is the film so important right now? Lollipop feels really important at the moment because it shines a light on a side of life we rarely see on screen, and what I love about it most is that it does this without blame or taking sides. We are seeing people, flaws and all, coming out of the system, showing how complicated and impossible it can be/feel to rebuild your life when the odds are stacked against you. We’re in a moment in the UK where conversations around housing, motherhood, social care and how we treat women who’ve been in the criminal justice system are really starting to open up. This film isn’t preaching; it’s telling a very human story. But if someone watches Lollipop and feels a bit more compassion or sees the system with fresh eyes, that’s where change begins. Sometimes, it just takes one story to shift something in someone. I really hope this sparks some important conversations. What have you been doing in the time between making the film and now? I’ve done a little bit of telly and I did a wonderful run of The Cherry Orchard last year at Donmar Warehouse, which took me to New York this year, transferring the play to St. Ann’s Warehouse. It was an incredible experience, and I absolutely love the play and the people in it and who created it. I was previously at The National Theatre, also with a Clean Break play called Dixon and Daughters, which was on about six months after filming Lollipop. So, a real wonderful mix to keep the acting muscles flexing, for sure! In my personal life, I’ve been keeping up Auntie duties, which I take very seriously! Some travelling, quality time in nature, and with my people. What have you got coming up? I’m not long back from New York with The Cherry Orchard, but I have started filming my next TV role. I’m not sure if I can tell you any more than that! All I’ll say is you will see me in very different shoes to what you have seen so far. And that’s the greatest gift for me as an actor, to try on as many pairs of shoes as I can and walk in them as honestly and authentically as I possibly can. Do you still have connections with Market Harborough? I am very close to my family, who mostly all live in Harborough. So, I’m in Harbs whenever I can. [My children’s acting workshop] Screen School is currently on a hiatus due to my work commitments, but I plan to continue a new and improved version in the future. I still keep in touch with students and parents and saw many of them at the Phoenix screening in Leicester, which was emotional! I’m so proud of all of our Screen Schoolers. If there is anyone who would like to support or offer some ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! I came back for one of the first public screenings of Lollipop at the Savoy cinema in Corby, which was put on by Escapes (a scheme that encourages people to visit their local cinema by putting films on for free). I hadn’t told anyone that I was going, and I just booked my ticket through Escapes to go with my Mum and sister-in-law so we could watch the film together. It was extra special for me as when I was growing up in Market Harborough, my Grandma used to take me to Corby every Saturday to visit family. I didn’t tell the cinema and, at the end, I was recognised and it was really lovely to have a moment like that in our local area. Recently, coming back to Harbs has been really fun. Seeing the family, of course, but this shoot for MaHa was so special. We collaborated with local stylists and creatives and it was a fabulous day. I felt very proud to be from here, being photographed by Ruthie, working with all local brands and stores, being styled by Bridget, The Happy Stylist. Hair by Ellie Louise (Ellie has been my only hairdresser since I was 16 and I was actually her hair model when she was training!), Make-up by Meg Yorston, Nails by Aimee Grace Beauty. Janet from Daffodil Socials oversaw everything and is the queen of BTS. Manor Walk Wellness hosted our studio shoot and were amazing, it’s a gorgeous vibe in there, I need to go for a treatment ASAP! The Waterfront is also a happy place for me by the water. We ended the day having a gorgeous meal there. Lollipop is in selected cinemas now
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Issue 26
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