Joanna Lumley '˜terrified all men seen as bad' after MeToo movement

Actress Joanna Lumley has said she is 'terrified that all men are seen as bad' in the wake of the sexual misconduct scandal which engulfed Hollywood.
Ab Fab star Joanna Lumley. Picture: PA WireAb Fab star Joanna Lumley. Picture: PA Wire
Ab Fab star Joanna Lumley. Picture: PA Wire

The Absolutely Fabulous star, 71, recently hosted the film Baftas, which was dominated by the Time’s Up and #MeToo movements.

She said: “This year I do feel the spirit of the suffragettes is with us and we’re speaking out about women being treated badly around the world. That said, I am terrified that all men are seen as bad.”

Hide Ad

She added: “I love and respect men. I am married to one, I work with some wonderful men and I have a son. We mustn’t deride all men, as only the few are bad and we need to remember that too.”

Lumley said of hosting the Baftas: “Even though they [the stars] were dressed in black, they looked wonderful. It felt right to wear black at the time [in support of #MeToo].

“Anything that empowers women is to be supported.”

Lumley, who has also forged a reputation as an activist, including for the Gurkha Justice Campaign, said she speaks up for what she believes in partly because her mother was a “very good role model”.

She said: “She couldn’t bear bullying and had an enormous sense of social justice. ‘Do as you would be done by’ was always her mantra … and to stand up to any form of wrongdoing and bullying.”