Streep almost refused Thatcher’s role in ‘The Iron Lady’

"The Iron Lady" is the name of the new film in which Meryl Streep stars as Margaret Thatcher. You have only to consider the title itself to understand the impact of the person portrayed. It helps explain why, in these hard times, she and her legacy arouse even more interest than they did in the boom era at the end of the 20th century.


First, the word "Lady." Mrs. Thatcher was the first and only woman ever to have led a major British political party, and remains so to this day. She was the first woman prime minister in the English-speaking world and the longest-serving British prime minister of either sex since universal suffrage.


Even in 2011, only one important Western country Germanyis led by a woman. Whatever the sterling qualities of Chancellor Angela Merkel, one must judge it highly unlikely that she will be the subject of a major feature film 20 years after she retires. Mrs. Thatcher was, in effect, the one and only woman. That unique status still fascinates.


The 62-year-old actress is firmly on the other side of the political divide to Britains former Tory Prime Minister  and she took a lot of persuading to play Thatcher.




I was not thrilled with her policies or her politics because my friends and I were all playing for the other team, the Mirror quoted Streep as saying.


It was only after hours of talks with director Phyllida Law, who filmed her in Mamma Mia that Streep was convinced to tackle the role.


We talked about it a lot, Streep said.


Phyllida said she thought I was to play the part because I was an outsider and Margaret Thatcher was an outsider in her world and in her party, she added.


Once she had decided to play Thatcher in the 10million pounds movie, she spent months watching and listening to videos and broadcasts so she could get a sense of her body language and voice.


On Thursday, the actress was shortlisted for a Golden Globe award for her powerful portrayal of Thatcher in the film.