Taking back the night
In their new dystopian drama, all men must stay home from 7pm to 7am, so women can feel safe on the streets. But would Sarah Parish, Alexandra Burke and Mandip Gill ever walk home alone?
- Emma Cox
Ad
"There are some angry men out there" – Sarah Parish
Sarah Parish in Curfew.
What do you think of the concept of a curfew for men?
I was drawn to the fact this would cause a stir. It’s interesting that it has started a bit of a hoo-ha, whereas when women were told, in the wake of Sarah Everard’s murder, that they shouldn’t go out alone, nobody blinked an eye.
How safe do you feel in real life?
I very rarely walk home, I’ll get a cab rather than take the risk. If I do walk at night I have my keys in my hand. I’ve never thought, “This is unfair,” it’s just automatic – which is a sign of where we are.
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as YouTube may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow YouTube and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
When women complain about their treatment, some men reply, “Not all men” — what are your thoughts on that response?
Since #MeToo, there’s an underlying feeling of resentment that we got a bit “out of line”. There are some angry men out there, and these toxic masculinity sites have started up. I think that might be a kickback from us finding our voice. It was like, “Get back in your box”.
Did you feel any safer when you were growing up? I grew up in Yeovil, Somerset, in the 70s, when it was all pinching ladies’ bottoms – which you were supposed to see as a compliment. My daughter is 14 and when I tell her some of the things that were said to me as a young woman, she’s horrified.
Have roles for women improved as you’ve got older?
When I started, you were the wife or prostitute; you were never the lead cop, so we’ve come a long way. Women can be awful and brilliant and funny and sad, and it’s OK to show all those things. And now I’ve hit my 50s, I give zero f***s. I’ve had kids, I’ve gone through the menopause and it’s freeing. I’m hoping I’ve timed it perfectly because, as I reach this point, there seems to be a bigger appetite for older women on screen.
"I've had two stalkers" – Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke and Oliver Alvin-Wilson in Curfew.
This is your first TV drama role. How did it come about?
After I did the Tina Turner jive on Strictly I was offered a film called Pretty Red Dress – Curfew came about because someone saw me in it. I’m still pinching myself! After ten years of grafting in theatre, being in this series is amazing! I just pray other doors open now. I’ll always sing, but I want to dive into acting. It’s taken me years to be taken seriously as a screen actor.
How safe do you feel in real life?
I have anxiety walking at night. I’ve had two stalkers, which was very traumatising for me, so I don’t go out for that reason. I’ve done a lot of work around that and have had fewer panic attacks in recent years.
Did you feel safer when you were growing up in London?
I’d be at after-school clubs acting and singing, so I often wouldn’t get home until 11 at night, but my mum – who was a single mum – couldn’t afford to give me a mobile phone. I’d walk home down quiet London streets and past Pentonville Prison and always felt unsafe.
What do you think of the concept of a curfew for men?
I’ve got brothers, a partner, a dad and a lot of amazing men around me, so I’d hate to see that happen to them. But women need to be protected and this series will hopefully be a conversation starter. When I told my brother and my partner about the show, it caused a massive debate in our home, which I think is healthy. The question is – how do we make our streets safer for our children? I don’t know the answer but I do know we need to have the conversation.
'I don't go anywhere at night' – Mandip Gill
Mandip Gill and Neil Ashton in Curfew.
What do you think of having a curfew for men?
Personally, I don’t go anywhere at night because I’m scared of the dark and dogs! But who wouldn’t like women to feel safer? I don’t think that’s by putting men under curfew, though. I’ve got a dad and brother and they’re not part of the problem. It’s unfair and unrealistic to tar everyone with the same brush. Our show never says that a curfew is the answer, but if the show opens up conversations, then we can start to tackle the problem.
Do you think the premise will put men off watching the show?
It’s not anti-men; it’s pro-safety. I’m sure the majority of men want their mums, their sisters, their daughters to feel safe. If you want to turn it off, maybe talk to the women in your life – ask what makes us feel unsafe, and what you can do. If it’s dark and you’re walking behind a woman, cross the road or put your hood down.
Did you feel safe, growing up?
I have five sisters and a brother and we were the only Asian family on the council estate we grew up on in Middleton in Yorkshire, so we weren’t allowed to play out. I saw my sisters in uncomfortable situations and I saw my dad in lots of fights, so we all stuck together – I didn’t realise until my 20s that you were meant to have friends outside your family!
Does being in the public eye make you feel more unsafe?
Ad
No. Doctor Who fans are lovely [Gill played Yasmin in Doctor Who from 2018–22] and don’t cross the line. Some of the fans have made friends through their love of the character, so they’ll come to somewhere I’m filming and say “Hi”, which is sweet.
Authors
Emma Cox
Ad
Ad
Get the Christmas double issue
Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...