Meryl Streep talks Margaret Thatcher

Meryl Streep “carried” the role of Margaret Thatcher with her for some time. The Oscar-winning actress — who portrays the British political leader in upcoming movie The Iron Lady – admitted she found it difficult to leave the part behind, as it was “more personal” than the other characters she has played throughout her career.

“With something like It’s Complicated, I really left it at the set. But this I carried with me more, because it was more personal,” she said.

“Just standing that way for a long time was wearing. And the banked energy of playing someone whose energy has ebbed, it had an effect. It did have an effect. It reminded me so much of my mother and my grandmother. It’s emotional to go into these places.”

However, the 62-year-old star explained she had initial doubts about taking on the role of Thatcher until she fully “immersed” herself in the part by listening to recordings of the politician’s most-famous speeches.

“I was all over the place. I was calling my husband, saying, ‘Why did I ever say I could do this? I can’t do this!’ And he says, ‘You always say that. Always.’ I say, ‘I do not, this is the first time’,” Meryl added.

“I just have to immerse myself in the messy way I do it. It’s a sort of focused chaos, is how I’d put my process. I was listening, listening, listening – rather than watching. I don’t hear anything that isn’t her.”