Freya & Jennifer Saunders: the mother and daughter act

Actress Jennifer Saunders and her youngest daughter, Freya, talk about working together, family life and taking fashion advice

W&H: You're on the cusp of empty-nesting...
Jennifer: Two years away from being child-free. I got a huge burst of wanting to do things in my career and I think that's because I have so much more time. And somehow I managed to get two new series on television [Jam and Jerusalem and Vivienne Vyle].

You reach a point when you realise your capabilities. You go through life feeling you don't know quite as much as other people, then you get to a certain age and think, “Actually, I do! I probably know more.” So you start driving yourself to do stuff. I don't care so much what people think of me. I'm not so self-conscious, but I'm not so tolerant, either.

I suspect Dawn [French] and I have been at the BBC for longer than anyone else. We're like two fossils. I think, “Keep on going and everybody else keep up!”

On family
W&H: How did the part for Freya in Jam and Jerusalem come about?
Jennifer: She was cheap! And she was on the spot.
Freya: I really liked doing it and if I had another chance I would take it, but I wouldn't base my future plans on acting.
Jennifer: You've got to do something different from your parents.
Freya: Exactly. Do I want to follow in their footsteps? No.

W&H: Are they cool parents or embarrassing parents?
Freya: Hmm, they're cool, but occasionally embarrassing. Especially Dad…
Jennifer: Daddy isn't embarrassing!
Freya: Well, no, but he does some silly things. All my friends find him hilarious, so I don't really mind, though.
Jennifer: We don't do that kind of [show business] life. Beattie once asked me, “Mummy, are you Jennifer Saunders?” I never used to explain what I did. I don't watch my own shows on telly, so there was no reason they'd have any idea about what I did.
Freya: I remember doing a school project and had to ask you what you did. When you said you were a comedian, I didn't know what that was. I thought it meant someone who was small!

On shoes and fashion
W&H: Dawn French says the two of you swap shoes.
Jennifer: Freya takes my shoes. I will never be seen in a flat pump.
Freya: Even her flip-flops have a heel.
Jennifer: You know so much more about fashion than I do. I stick to my thing.
Freya: You dress quite well.
Jennifer: Thank you! I'm never seen in big T-shirts and leggings, which was the school gate uniform. I swore I would come in Prada to pick you up but never, ever…
Freya: I steal some of your clothes.
Jennifer: I'd noticed. If I have doubts when I'm going out of the house, I go to Freya. I was wearing that long tweed coat in London and you said, “Hmm, yes, that's a New York look.” I thought that was so cool. We like shopping together. We chose my last car. An arctic silver Porsche Carrera with a brown leather interior.
Freya: Cocoa leather – it matches your handbag.

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