If Shirley Valentine was remade who would you cast?

[ToveJanssonsWife]

I’m watching it now and wondering about it.
I wouldn’t want it to be remade of course, it’s perfect as it is!

My first thought was Olivia Coleman, but then immediately changed my mind, and now I can’t remember any actors at all!

I saw a reel on FB where Blanche from Golden girls was saying how fabulous she felt at 41 😮 My god !

Joanna lumley was in the original as a high class hooker ! Wasn't a big part.
Sad to hear that Bernard hill has died
I loved him in ' boys from the black stuff '
Not sure who could be Shirley or the husband in a remake.

i saw the play, i think with Pauline Collins but i guess i was in my 20s and too young to appreciate it

Joanna Scanlan's a good shout (Joanna is 62 though)
I agree in a reboot she'd need to be 52+ not 42
I also think she'd be working nonetheless and the arguments would be about Wifework/COL/multitasking and being generally knackered/wanting first holiday abroad in years rather than a staycation but I'm probably projecting
Many women have had kids later so you could go late 50s.
The second wind/wanting something new is universal - take how popular Mum was.

Claire Rushbrook
52
Was in Sherwood and brilliant in Ali and Ava

Oh yes, I like her!

saying mum perhaps Lesley Manville but i dont think anyone can beat Pauline Collins, Bernard Hill and Tom Conti, and of course Joanna Lumley and Alison Steadman

Vicky McClure could do this part well I feel. She could do it a bit dowdy to start with but then blossom when she goes abroad. Also I really fancy chips and egg now.

Same, she would be perfect!

I think you would need to push the age forward by 10 years too, as 42 just isn't as relatable now, it's highly unusual to be in that life position at that age (I was that's why I know it's unusual!) and retirement is later now, casting an actor in early 50's and make the character early 50's works better

If the story you've just told was a film I would love to see it.

Joanna is such a good example of how 62 no longer seems like 62. At 62 my mum was in a knee length tweed skirt and having her hair set every week.

It annoyed me when she said ' chips and egg '
It was always the other way round in our house.
It is a brilliant film, although I hope a remake would have an actual Greek actor for the love interest.

If I was a writer I’d want to write this, but it’s a bit too close to home and I’d offend my children 😂

I would be disproportionately happy if Alexis Georgoulis from The Durrells played Tom Conti's character.

Love the Jo Lumley cameo, 'I am not an air hostess, I am a hooker'. Lol.

same author - Willy Russell

God yes. Rita's mum: "There must be better songs to sing than this."
Kids still do Willy Russell now.
My DD has just done Blood Brothers.
My class did Our Day Out last year. Some of it is dated but so much resonates.

i have never seen blood brothers or Our day out

I vote for Keeley Hawes as Shirley. She can do glam and dowdy. Her husband in It's a sin (I forget his name) would make a good husband for Shirley too.

Awful quality but worth a watch (with subtitles?)

Shaun Dooley - good shout

I find them both very 'plain' looking. Despite all the Botox Sheridan smith has had, she represents a 'dowdy' middle aged house wife perfectly imo

Agree Olivia Coleman would also play the part beautifully

Jodie Comer

Sheridan smith. Lots of the other actors are too posh to be believable. Or maybe Ruth Jones.