Midsomer Murders star admits she 'hates' watching herself on TV despite success

Annette Badland reveals she doesn't like watching herself

A star of Midsomer Murders admitted she "hates" watching herself on TV despite being a respected actress.

Annette Badland was among the guests on Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh, alongside actor Sir Cameron McKintosh, The Durrells star Milo Parker, Miranda actress Dee Hart-Dyke.

Annette Badland joined the cast of Midsomer Murders in 2019 as the motorcycle-loving chief pathologist Dr Fleur Perkins. But the 74-year-old admitted she doesn't like watching her own work and can be overly critical of herself.

Gardener and presenter Alan Titchmarsh asked her: "Your background is incredibly diverse. I mean, a lot of theatre, RSC and the Olivier nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Little Voice and you can lean on that in a way. But do you ever lean on your past as an actor only after as good as the next role?"

Midsomer Murders star Annette Badland appeared on Love Your Weekend (Image: ITV)

In response, Annette said: "Absolutely - I hate watching myself on television, which are a lot of actors are the same.

It's never good enough, there's always that little bit you think 'ahh or 'I didn't hit that', but I think that keeps you on your metal too, and keeps you keen."

The pair had previously been discussing Annette's role as chief pathologist on the ITV series Midsomer Murders and how she had become a hit among viewers.

She said: "I adore playing Claire, really, really, do. I mean, she's an older woman with a brain, a sex life, a Harley Davidson, a black Jag convertible, and she can do that to Neil Dudgeon and just puts the men down to size."

Alan Titchmarsh referenced Fleur's mysterious backstory and how viewers only get little snippets about her. Annette continued: "I think sometimes she's playing with them. She's going, will you buy this or not?

Alan Titchmarsh interviews Annette Badland on his ITV chat room Love Your Weekend (Image: ITV) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20241119.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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"Some of it will be real but not everything, necessarily."

Annette Badland has a respectable TV career thanks to roles in Doctor Who, Aunt Babe in EastEnders, Mrs Glenna Fitzgibbons in Outlander and Mae Green in Ted Lasso.

Annette's latest role is in the comedy-drama 'Portraits of Dangerous Women' which follows three strangers whose paths cross following a traffic collision.

Choosing to deal with the consequences on their own terms, without police involvement, the trio forms an unlikely bond. As they delve into each other's histories, they find unexpected camaraderie and a shared sense of belonging.