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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I the only Guardian reader who is fed up with all these no names presented like they are celebrities? Example: "Wouldn’t it be lovely if I could shut up?’ Meet Lola Petticrew, TV’s most fearless actor" - who TF is this person?

111 replies

localnotail · 26/12/2025 15:10

Basically, as my title. Its not the first time I'm reading an article about some one I never heard of who is presented as someone famous. This article really took the bisquit. Who is this person? They? WTF? Why does it matter what THEY think, say or do?

Or am I being unreasonable and this is actually someone who IS famous?

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/25/lola-petticrew-interview-say-nothing-trespasses

‘Wouldn’t it be lovely if I could shut up?’ Meet Lola Petticrew, TV’s most fearless actor

The award-winning star of Say Nothing and Trespasses refuses to play the fame game when they can fight government inaction. They open up on making amazing TV … and why morals matter more than nice handbags

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/dec/25/lola-petticrew-interview-say-nothing-trespasses

OP posts:
yorkshiretoffee · 26/12/2025 18:09

Trespasses was a fabulous series, based on a fabulous book. Lola was brilliant.

Articles like this might make more people aware of Lola and that's a win for everyone.
There's quite often articles about people I've never heard of - if there wasn't, I'd be stuck in the 1980s.

Lovelyview · 26/12/2025 18:15

TheSmallAssassin · 26/12/2025 17:53

Do you listen to much Radio 4? They're really good for this sort of thing, for example The Life Scientific.

Yes, I really enjoy The Life Scientific.

Americano75 · 26/12/2025 18:25

So many deleted comments. Only on mumsnet could this be such a controversial topic.

PhantomOfAllKnowledge · 26/12/2025 18:32

I'm not especially interested in celebrities, however famous they are - but other people are interested, so nothing is wrong with this kind of piece.

If Lola Pettigrew was in two series recently shown on mainstream telly, that's well-known enough to justify an interview in my opinion.

DuchessofStaffordshire · 26/12/2025 18:44

tartyflette · 26/12/2025 17:38

I'm another one who has not heard of this actress or the TV show in question. And I do watch a lot of television, especially decent dramas.
So I have to concur with the OP on this.

Read: I have exceptional taste in televised drama so if I haven't heard of it, it must be crap.

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 18:47

verycloakanddaggers · 26/12/2025 15:27

Well that's on you, because the dramas she has been in recently are widely known.

I've noticed in the article they are not "she". They are they.

HappyFace2025 · 26/12/2025 18:49

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 18:47

I've noticed in the article they are not "she". They are they.

I haven't read the article but that would put me off no matter how good an actress she is. It's no wonder that the Guardian interviewed her lol

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 18:50

It did make me laugh that they were anxious about getting old, but they've just turned 30 and they realise it's not that bad!
😂

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 26/12/2025 18:51

It's entirely your own fault for reading the Guardian 😂

HappyFace2025 · 26/12/2025 18:53

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 26/12/2025 18:51

It's entirely your own fault for reading the Guardian 😂

This 100%!!!

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 18:53

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 26/12/2025 18:51

It's entirely your own fault for reading the Guardian 😂

😂

HornyHornersPinkyWinky · 26/12/2025 18:54

muognob · 26/12/2025 16:00

I mean, I've heard of her, and think she's been decent in the things I've seen, but she's fighting a losing battle if she thinks anyone is going to take her they/them-ness seriously. Maybe she should stop taking roles for women if she feels that strongly she's not one.

But how else is she going to demonstrate how cool and interesting and not like other boring women she is…?

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 18:56

Also, they are fearless because they speak out about Palestine!
Yes, they are the only person doing this.
It's actually quite a funny article. If you were doing a Guardian spoof, this is how it would read.

HappyFace2025 · 26/12/2025 18:57

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 18:56

Also, they are fearless because they speak out about Palestine!
Yes, they are the only person doing this.
It's actually quite a funny article. If you were doing a Guardian spoof, this is how it would read.

No wonder the Guardian interviewed her/them.

Americano75 · 26/12/2025 19:06

Going on about 'getting old' when you're only about to turn 30 shows a real lack of self awareness.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 26/12/2025 19:09

GeorgeClooneyshouldhavemarriedme · 26/12/2025 17:30

Totally.

How tiring must it be to write like that?

"They say, They've been, They are....."

Should be even easier than usual - set up a template with fields for play/movie/TV show title and the name, whichever news opinion is the main angle of the moment, one for town/country of origin, one for what relative has the sad or funny situation they use as a hook and you're done.

Just like the beauty, fashion and home decor advertorials.

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 19:09

Americano75 · 26/12/2025 19:06

Going on about 'getting old' when you're only about to turn 30 shows a real lack of self awareness.

Honestly, it's such a silly thing to say, isn't it?

Americano75 · 26/12/2025 19:12

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 19:09

Honestly, it's such a silly thing to say, isn't it?

I mean, 30 years ago you'd get away with that sort of shit but now? Idiotic.

tobee · 26/12/2025 19:27

The Guardian has been like this for years now, picking a person to promote that perceive to be trendy and edgy and telling readers how big they will be this year. Generally followed by said person disappearing into obscurity.

Bit like Radio 4 these days, desperate to capture the favour of young people who are never going to be interested in the first place. Not interested in their actual demographic who mostly middle aged and older.

Waste of time

TaraRhu · 26/12/2025 19:36

What? She's a successful actress who is clearly doing some promotion. The whole point is upping her profile and isn't it interesting to hear about people you may NOT have heard off?

whattheysay · 26/12/2025 19:40

I know who she is as I recently watched two shows she was in

JamesClyman · 26/12/2025 19:47

As a long-time Guardian reader I agree that it has declined from what it once was. It hasn't broken a major story in years and if it was behind a paywall, I'm not sure I'd continue with it.

Somewhat ironically for what used to be the MANCHESTER Guardian, it is probably the most London-centric of all the national dailies.

KarminaBurana · 26/12/2025 19:49

JamesClyman · 26/12/2025 19:47

As a long-time Guardian reader I agree that it has declined from what it once was. It hasn't broken a major story in years and if it was behind a paywall, I'm not sure I'd continue with it.

Somewhat ironically for what used to be the MANCHESTER Guardian, it is probably the most London-centric of all the national dailies.

Yes, that's very true.

Northerngirl821 · 26/12/2025 19:52

I think bringing attention to less well known but talented actors, musicians etc. is great.

If you just want endless articles about well known “celebrities” there’s always OK and Hello!

Ponderingwindow · 26/12/2025 19:52

It’s a slow news day and they are filling inches with a PR puff piece.