Monica Dolan acting inspiration revealed on Desert Island Discs
Bafta‑winning actress Monica Dolan has spoken about how she first discovered her love for acting, saying she “just got a feeling from it that I didn’t get from anywhere else”. In a wide‑ranging interview on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, the star of Mr Bates Vs The Post Office described how her early school performances sparked something that has stayed with her ever since. Her reflections will resonate with many in the UK who have followed her work, particularly her award‑nominated portrayal of subpostmistress Jo Hamilton in ITV’s acclaimed drama about the Horizon IT scandal.
“I think it was basically a feeling of being noticed, or being seen as people now say,” she told presenter Lauren Laverne. “I thought, ‘I want more of this’.” Dolan, whose achievements include an Olivier Award for All About Eve and a Bafta for Appropriate Adult, said that preparing for a real-life role requires a different kind of thought. “You have to think, well if I was this person, how would I behave?” she explained. “I was very lucky with Jo because she was definitely more approachable than most people that I’ve played.”
To get closer to Hamilton’s story, Dolan asked her to record a short version of her life before the events covered in the script. “One of the things I did very early on actually which was really helpful, which I’d definitely do again, was to ask her, if it wasn’t too intrusive, to record her life story,” she said. “That was very useful indeed because you’re kind of absorbing that person.”
Her portrayal in Mr Bates Vs The Post Office has been widely praised and continues to draw attention to the real events behind the drama. The series, which you can find on ITV’s Mr Bates Vs The Post Office page, has prompted discussions about accountability in public institutions. Dolan’s achievements in theatre are equally notable; details of her stage career and recognition can be seen on the Olivier Awards website, while her broader screen work is highlighted in her BAFTA profile.
Reflecting on the people at the heart of the Horizon scandal, she said: “I was immensely proud of people, for being that collectively angry.” It was a comment that captured both her admiration and the sense of responsibility she felt in telling their story.
Away from her work, Dolan also shared some lighter choices for life on a desert island. Her luxury item would be a walk-in wardrobe with a cold glass of champagne and a new outfit for every day, and she said she would take a book on flora and fauna to help identify plants and wildlife. Among her music picks were The Tra La La Song (One Banana, Two Banana) from The Banana Splits, MacArthur Park by Richard Harris and Us Amazonians by Kirsty MacColl.
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