In an era when Hollywood is dominated by superhero franchises, it can be easy to forget who the real stars are. For while CGI may dazzle, and epic fight scenes lead viewers to gape in awe, the heart and soul of cinema is without a doubt the same thing it always was – the actors. Specifically, those who embody every character they portray with such might, majesty and conviction that they lure us wholly into the drama, leaving little room for doubt or distraction.

Dame Helen Mirren is unarguably one such master of her craft. Whether becoming the late Queen Elizabeth II with impeccable grace, or donning the painted eyebrows of the acerbic gossip columnist Hedda Hopper with convincing aplomb in Trumbo, the Brit is a tried-and-true chameleon. However, it is without any journalist sycophancy to say that, at 78, Mirren’s latest part as former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in historical drama Golda arguably surpasses all her previous efforts. “My portrayal of Golda Meir comes during the tumultuous period of the Yom Kippur War, with my primary objective lying in faithfully capturing the essence of an enchanting, absorbing character during what was a pivotal time,” says Mirren. “Rather than attempting to reinterpret or reevaluate this her historical legacy, my focus was on delivering a genuine portrayal of real and remarkable calibre, grappling with the extraordinary challenges and responsibilities faced. “I soon realised the task was to bring to life unique experience, leadership and strength, under such exceptional circumstances,” says Mirren.

Donning a bodysuit to create a fuller figure, wearing brown contact lenses, and with the subtle addition of prosthetics under eyes, on nose and across cheeks – not to mention the placing of steel-grey hair – the actress is genuinely unrecognisable. (The film deservedly received a 2024 Oscar nomination for Best Makeup and Hairstyling). Yet it is the passion and conviction Mirren puts into the role that make her performance so exquisite. The film will no doubt receive added attention from critics and viewers alike given the current controversy surrounding Israel. And there is the somewhat ironic reality that Mirren – born Helen Lydia Mironoff – is the daughter of a Russian immigrant to the UK who himself was exiled from an aristocratic Russian family (during the Yom Kippur War the Soviet Union weighed in on the side of the Arab states attacking Israel). There is also, currently, unease around actors embodying cultures that are not native to their own, particularly those of ethnic minorities. Eternally defiant and single-minded as Mirren is renowned to be, she is not afraid to face such criticisms head-on. “The issue of an actor modifying their appearance to represent a specific ethnicity is a complex and often controversial subject,” she begins, cautiously. “I get how such transformations risk crossing a delicate boundary into disrespect and insensitivity; and this ethical dilemma is further complicated when considering roles like Bradley Cooper’s portrayal of Leonard Bernstein [in the biopic, Maestro]. In such instances, achieving a physical likeness that resonates with authenticity can be pivotal to the integrity of the performance.

“It’s a nuanced and multifaceted debate, reflecting the ongoing conversation in the acting community about cultural representation and sensitivity. Each case requires careful consideration, balancing respect for cultural identity with artistic expression and historical accuracy. “Yet at the end of it, I still come down on the side that says, ‘We are actors – our whole purpose is to be someone we are not’, and I reserve the right to do that, otherwise what is the point?” Now approaching the last months before hitting that oft-referenced and, these days, much-vaunted status that comes with being an octogenarian, it is no wonder that the actress has little desire to make excuses for her choices. Yet what is both surprising and reassuring is that although it may be a rarity, the opportunity to land leading female roles in one’s eighth decade is a tangible possibility. It is also worth noting that, in fact, Golda was several years younger than Mirren at the time of the Yom Kippur War.

A TALENT FOR PLAYING FORMIDABLE WOMEN

For Mirren’s part, age has always been “little more than a number to remind me I have achieved a few good things along the way”; especially as she was in her mid-forties when her role as DCI Jane Tennison in the widely viewed British TV drama Prime Suspect made her a global icon. Ultimately, the detective is only one of many formidable women she has portrayed. For that character in particular the challenge was surviving life as a female investigator in a male-oriented workforce that was rife with chauvinism, and the overarching assumption that the fairer sex couldn’t quite cut the mustard. Comparatively, the troubles of an elderly woman who has taken the reins of a turbulent country during the early 1970s make Tennison’s troubles seem plainly superfluous, and it is the courage and fortitude of Golda Meir that made her an irresistible role for the Oscar winner. “The emergence of a woman as the leader of a nation, especially one as pivotal and complex as Israel, was a ground-breaking moment for women everywhere,” she reflects. “Until then, the concept of a female head of state was almost unthinkable, and it’s easy to forget that in what are now largely progressive times.

“Her approach to leadership, without adopting the stereotypical trappings of power, was truly revolutionary. She remained true to herself, even as prime minister. Witnessing such authenticity in leadership was a profoundly significant moment in the history of women’s empowerment, and it resonated deeply with me.” There are several moments in Golda where Mirren’s performance is astonishingly good. When, for example, she tells America’s Secretary of State, the late Henry Kissinger – played convincingly by Liev Schreiber – that “We (Israel) will fight alone if we have to”, with fierce conviction; or when sorrowfully contemplating the deaths of thousands of young Israeli soldiers as she rasps, “All those boys … I will carry that pain to my grave”. For Mirren, it was this latter moment that struck deepest with her, saying: “What I hadn’t fully understood until working on the film was the scale of loss Israel suffered during the Yom Kippur War. A significant portion of the nation’s youth was lost in that conflict, leaving a deep and traumatic impact on the small country. The enormity of the casualties wasn’t something I had fully comprehended before. And Golda, deeply moved, paid personal attention to each individual who perished, feeling their loss intensely.”

EVOLUTION AS STYLE ICON

While Mirren doesn’t seek out any escape or light relief from the intensity of the role – one that, as unfortunate timing would have it, marries itself into the fragile situation currently being seen in the Middle East – it still seems remiss not to segue slightly and address the actress’s evolution of style, not just in roles, but decorative image as well. To do that is to note that the star enjoyed some truly magnificent fashion moments last year. During an interview with British magazine Lifestyle, she bemoaned the patronising insults that go hand-in-hand with ageism – Mirren is an ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, who recently launched a campaign about the caveat ‘for your age’, or more specifically: ‘Don’t you look good … for your age’ – instead choosing to revel in the pleasures of getting older. “I think in many of us, you lose that fear and anxiety you have when you’re young. Whether you’re an actress, a model, a performer, an entertainer … the intensity you perhaps used to feel in every moment just drops away as you get older, which is fabulous. It frees you – you accept who you are and stop trying to be someone else.” ‘Carefree’ is certainly one term for the woman who wowed at the Cannes Film Festival last May with her multi-coloured blue hair that was styled in a punkish, loose updo and beautifully complemented her sapphire eyes and enormous diamond drop earrings. ‘Stunning’ is another word one might use.

The following month Mirren arrived at the Ora! Film Festiva in Italy wearing a monochromatic pink ensemble, her silver hair contrasting with a broad magenta headband and a joyous smile on her lips. Yet it was a stint on the catwalk for the L’Oréal Paris ‘Walk Your Worth’ launch show that really reaffirmed her status as a true icon. Stepping out in a floor-length silver gown with long, swishing sleeves and her trademark mane coiffed and backcombed into a pale halo that fanned her face, the Hollywood superstar more than held her own among youthful starlets such as Kendall Jenner, Elle Fanning and songstress Camila Cabello. It is obvious to all that Mirren has grown more courageous and captivating with age, but it could also be argued that she has always stood apart from the crowd – though it might be foolhardy to suggest this to her face. She even admits that DCI Tennison’s unflattering tenacity is what initially drew her to the role that would ultimately launch her film career, saying, “What appealed to me the most was her somewhat unlikable nature, stemming from what was an intense focus on her career. This is a rarity in female characters on screen, who are typically portrayed as self-sacrificing and modest. There’s a phrase, ‘longsuffering,’ as in ‘the long-suffering wife of …’, that particularly irks me, and I had vowed to never embody characters fitting this description. “I find those roles of enduring patience quite detestable. Ironically, I’ve often ended up playing such characters, despite my initial reluctance,” she laughs.

SECRET TO A GOOD RELATIONSHIP

In her private life, the actress has been with American director Taylor Hackford for more than three decades. The pair married in 1997 and though they don’t have children together, he has two from his previous marriage. The jet-setting couple owns several properties in LA, Nevada and London, but it is their 16th-century holiday home near Tiggiano, Italy, that sparks the most joy from the star. Their fortified farmhouse has a large tower, high walls, stone vaulted ceilings, arched doorways and limestone floors, situated on an abundance of land. And it is almost certainly the privacy, epicurean culture and exquisite natural beauty of the area that provides the biggest draw.

With homes dotted across the globe, there is little reason for the couple to feel claustrophobic within their union, and Mirren admits that the secret to their relationship is the respect and professional freedom they allow one another. “I hold firmly that unconditional praise from the person closest to us is essential. Similarly, I pretty much offer my husband the same kind of unwavering support. We both respect each other’s individuality, allowing space for personal pursuits and growth. “A key aspect of a loving relationship is preserving one’s own identity while supporting your partner, ensuring that both parties can flourish independently within the union. This balance is crucial for nurturing a healthy and supportive partnership,” she says.

Mirren’s personal life has also had a positive impact on her professional one as she muses on the wisdom gleaned from living with a director, her private union no doubt quelling many a storm on film sets as the inevitable ego clash between performance artiste and auteur arises. “They need to be skilled in their craft, both men and women alike. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and dealing with less proficient types can be quite challenging. In the past, I viewed directors as authoritative figures, akin to the police – they felt like adversaries instructing me against my will,” she says contemplatively. “However, having been in a close relationship with a director for some time now, I’ve gained a better understanding of their perspective. Despite this insight, I believe it’s important not to become overly sympathetic towards them,” she laughs. “There’s a delicate balance to maintain between understanding a position and not losing sight of one’s own artistic integrity and vision. This dynamic is crucial in the collaborative process of filmmaking and, indeed, of just getting on with life.”

Arguably, Mirren sits right now at the pinnacle of dramatic, philosophical and contented satisfaction. The fear for an admiring fanbase is that the track ahead may not showcase the same exquisiteness. “Of course I think about that too, but people have been saying this of me for 20 years and more. In reality though I’ve never been more certain I can fulfil what I want and need to do, so I can only conclude I am in the perfect place … at last.”