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WEBCHAT GUIDELINES: 1. One question per member plus one follow-up. 2. Keep your question brief. 3. Don't moan if your question doesn't get answered. 4. Do be civil/polite. 5. If one topic or question threatens to overwhelm the webchat, MNHQ will usually ask for people to stop repeating the same question or point.

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MNHQ

Emma Thompson: Live webchat, Wednesday 2 October, 8.15-9.15pm

206 replies

RachelMumsnet · 30/09/2013 12:24

To celebrate the publication of Christmas Tale of Peter Rabbit, Oscar-winning actress, screenwriter and children's author Emma Thompson is joining us for a webchat on Wednesday 2 October at 8.15pm. The book is Emma's second tale about the iconic blue-coated rabbit; The Further Tale of Peter Rabbit marked the first Beatrix Potter tale to be published since 1930.

Join Emma for a webchat on Wednesday eve at 8.15 pm or post a question to her in advance on this thread.

OP posts:
IHeartKingThistle · 30/09/2013 12:36

That is so exciting! I'm a huge fan!

The DC and I are desperate to know if there will be a Nanny McPhee 3 even though I cry at both the others every single time Grin.

PS I LOVED Stranger than Fiction.

ShatnersBassoon · 30/09/2013 15:51

I feel a bit starstruck Blush.

Are there any roles you've played that you would love to go back and have another stab at, whether because you enjoyed it so much or because you'd do it differently second time round?

RollerSkateKate · 30/09/2013 16:39

Wow, another starstruck fan here! (Slight wibble!)

My mind is boggling at what I could ask you. There are so many of your performances I could watch over and over (and do) Sense and Sensibility particularly.

My question is, if you could work with anyone you haven't previously, who would it be and why?

Looking forward to Saving Mr Banks!

PersonalClown · 30/09/2013 16:44

Ooooh I loved you in Harry Potter, MIB3 and I think we all love the Joni Mitchell scene in Love Actually.

Is it wrong to ask if Stephen Fry is as lovely as he seems and did you really lock all the doors on him and come down the stair naked?? (As you said on QI)

PPPpickUPaPenguin · 30/09/2013 16:50

I loves Emma! She has been in so many great films, from being a nanny, to Edwardian servant, right through to witches, Austin, and Shakespeare!

Emma, will you be acting with your family again?

EverybodysGoneSurfing · 30/09/2013 17:53

I feel a bit starstruck too! I would love to find out that you are a mumsnetter but I don't expect an answer to that! I don't really have a question, I just wanted to say hoe much I love your work, especially Sense and Sensibility and Love Actually.

dinkystinky · 30/09/2013 17:57

My ds2 loves Peter rabbit (and as a result radishes and all rabbit vegs!) which I love as I have fond memories of Peter rabbit from my childhood. Who were your favourite childhood characters and why?

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 30/09/2013 17:59

Emma, there was thread here very recently where there was general agreement that whatever their opinions of Love Actually (love it myself), people thought your performance was masterful.

So how nice it must be for you to know that scene is something people will remember for years.

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 30/09/2013 18:04

P.S

Is it actually true that lettuce is poisonous to Rabbits and thus BP was advocating bunny cruelty?

IslaValargeone · 30/09/2013 18:15

Haven't got any questions, but saw some photos of you doing the rounds with Pierce Brosnan for your film 'The love Punch' and thought you looked bloody fabulous.

FellatioNelson · 30/09/2013 18:15

EMMA THOMPSON? Shock

Oh blimey. What to say? Confused Ahem

Emma,

Sorry for the gushing but you are hands down my favourite and most admired actress and two of the most wonderful, memorable, heartbreaking lines/scenes EVER (for me at least) have been delivered by you. The crying scene in Sense and Sensibility when Edward Ferrars finally gets his act together and comes back to you (I blub in solidarity every time) and in Love Actually, that bedroom scene, on Christmas Eve. With some more of that crying that you are so good at. Oh good grief, it's utterly heartbreaking. And it touches a nerve with married women/mothers everywhere. Completely Oscar worthy. We talk about that scene and your character in LA on Mumsnet all the bloody time. We can't get enough of it. Thank you.

Your devotedly,

F. Nelson.

PS. My friend is a London taxi driver and he once had you in the back of his cab. As it were. Grin He said you were lovely.

Willemdefoeismine · 30/09/2013 18:17

I have watched Sense and Sensibility about three times in the past three months. I just can't get enough of it! It's just brilliant!

Emma, of your main and varied films what is your favourite role and why (if it's not impertinent to ask!)?

Also who do you particularly rate as actors, loved ones excepted?!

Many thanks!

cranberryorange · 30/09/2013 18:33

Emma, another massive fan of yours here!

Have you ever turned down a role that you later regretted and which character would you most like to play now if you had the chance?

tinypumpkin · 30/09/2013 19:54

Oooh, too hard as Emma is just truly amazing.

What has been the most difficult thing you have done in your varied career and why?

Badvoc · 30/09/2013 19:55

OMG!
Emma!

Ok...ok....ok.....
I think sense and sensibility is one of my all time fave films. The scene when Edward tells Elinor he isn't married....sigh :)
Also, along with many other MNers the scene in love actually when your character discovers her husbands affair. Heart rending.
My question is very boring - what made you chose Peter rabbit as a project? My ds2 (5) loves the stories and your new one will be in his Xmas stocking :)

northernlurker · 30/09/2013 20:33

Another one here having a bit of trouble getting a grip on self....

Ok - stern effort!

Emma, I know you have an amazing mother and are a mother of a daughter yourself. What is the single most important thing for us, as mothers, to teach our daughters?

Can I just say that my whole family LOVED your character in Tutti Frutti. My daughters all have Shakespearean names, the youngest is Beatrice and when I think about the Shakespearean Beatrice I see you, I also love that scene in Love Actually, and Sense and Sensibility and my best friend and I were very keen on Peters Friends and I applied to Cambridge partly because of you (got rejected but hey, taught me a thing or two about life) and you are generally FANTASTIC! Smile

Poor woman's going to run screaming from the HQ office isn't she?

MikeLitoris · 30/09/2013 20:55

Hi Emma, my question is about the role you played in Love Actually. What do you think happened at the end? That look and awkward kiss in the airport. Do you think your character forgave Alan?

NatashaBee · 30/09/2013 21:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LovesBeingOnHoliday · 30/09/2013 21:29

Emma I love you. You are fab.

Anywho what advice would you give your younger self?

TheStitchWitch · 30/09/2013 21:49

OMG another massive fan here. Thanks

I would love to know how you keep yourself looking so fabulous, I'm 39 and I would love to look half as good as you. Grin

Littleredflowers · 30/09/2013 22:06

Wow, It's so exciting that you are here!

I want to know what you think of the new Peter Rabbit animation on TV. DS (aged 4) and DD1 (aged 2.5) love it and all their games this summer have been stimulated by the characters and stories in the tv show. I have spent many an afternoon pretending to be Mr Todd and chasing them round the park...

Do you think that updating the stories and characters in this way is a good opportunity to reach a new audience or is the tv show taking away some of the magic of the original books?

Ps DD2 is called Jemima so I am biased about which Beatrix Potter character I love the best. Which is your favourite?

I know that is two questions, I'm sorry.

Mumzy · 30/09/2013 22:18

You always seem to play the sensible one: Elinor Dashwood, Margaret Schelegal, Harriet Pringle. Do you ever want the play the femme fatale or the giddy airhead and if so from which novel?

southeastdweller · 30/09/2013 22:19

MikeLitoris I'd love to know Emma's thoughts on that one, too (your name is one of the best ever I've seen here, btw).

Spongingbobsunderpants · 30/09/2013 22:23

I would love to say that your more serious films have been the most inspirational but, in actual fact, your character, Kate Lemon, in The Tall Guy was my feminist role model for the best part of my teenage years... I can still recite many of the the lines and her ascerbic wit provided the basis of many exchanges with boyfriends or potential boyfriends for a good few years (although I don't think I could ever replicate the sex scene!)

I also still hum "Life in the Vatican is fun, fun, fun, for a dancing nun, nun, nun" and use the term 'beardy weirdy', clearly frequently enough for my 4 year old to call random people on the street it.

Anyway, just wanted to say - thank you for that, your Beatrice in Much Ado and all the other lovely films you've made. I also love your mum too!

Spongingbobsunderpants · 30/09/2013 22:31

PS: I have a question! What are your thoughts about all the British actors going to America for TV work and receiving more critical acclaim throught that than over here? I mean actors like Hugh Laurie, Eddie Izzard, Dominic West, Ian McShane, Charlie Hunnam etc. (desperately trying to think of some female ones, but failing) Have you ever been tempted by this?