Helen Mirren admits she still gets terrified starting new roles

Even legends still feel first-day nerves.

Helen Mirren may be one of the most respected and decorated actresses in the world, but she admits the fear never goes away. In her interview with PEOPLE, she admitted that every new job still fills her with “absolute terror.” For her, the start of a role feels like stepping into a fresh unknown.

No matter how many awards she has won or how much praise she has received, the anxiety always returns. She compared it to entering an audition, saying you never know if you will truly “step up” to the challenge until you’re in the middle of it.

Mirren’s honesty about her vulnerability is refreshing in a profession where many might assume experience erases fear. Instead, she insists that the uncertainty of each project is what keeps her excited and alive as an artist.

It’s a candid admission that shows even the greatest performers wrestle with the same anxieties as anyone starting a new job. Fear, she explains, is part of the fuel that drives her to give her best every time.

Her fear proves that greatness is never about comfort; it’s about courage.

Confidence, crafted, not given

Sometimes courage is simply performance.

Mirren doesn’t deny her nerves. Instead, she leans into them with a personal motto: “Fake it till you make it.” In her interview, she admitted that a lot of confidence is actually “pretense.” She explained that people often assume performers carry a natural boldness, but in reality, they may feel deeply insecure.

Her strategy is to project certainty even when she doesn’t feel it. “You feel insecure, but you pretend you don’t. And we all do it,” she shared. Whether on stage, in a meeting, or even at a party, many people wear a mask of confidence. Mirren shows us that acting brave is often the first step to truly becoming brave.

This mindset hasn’t just helped her survive, it’s helped her thrive. By pushing past doubt, she’s been able to engage in her craft fully. The honesty behind her words resonates far beyond Hollywood, serving as a reminder to everyday people that even icons sometimes fake it.

Pretending to be fearless is often the first step to truly becoming fearless.

The crown’s heavy burden

Playing a monarch meant carrying a nation’s heart.

One of Mirren’s most daunting roles was portraying Queen Elizabeth II in the 2006 film The Queen. She reflected on the unique weight of that performance, describing it as “territory that hadn’t really been explored before.” The public’s attachment to their monarch added immense pressure.

Mirren explained that she and the filmmakers had “no idea how that was going to be received.” After all, the Queen was not just a political figure but a cultural symbol that spanned generations. Taking on that role felt like walking a tightrope: one misstep could have offended millions.

Despite her nerves, the performance became one of her greatest triumphs. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress, cementing her legacy as one of the finest performers of her time. The experience revealed how risk, paired with fear, can lead to unforgettable art.

Her success shows how fear doesn’t have to hold someone back; it can become the very thing that sharpens performance.

Taking on the Queen showed how fear, when faced, can transform into triumph.

Reunions on set bring courage

Old friends bring comfort in new risks.

Mirren is set to star in Netflix’s upcoming mystery film The Thursday Murder Club, premiering August 29. The project reunited her with old friends, including Ben Kingsley, Celia Imrie, and Pierce Brosnan. For Mirren, reconnecting with colleagues from her early Shakespeare and film days was deeply moving.

“There was a sense of, gosh, guys, isn’t this amazing? Here we all are again,” she said. The shared history added warmth to the project, but it also heightened her awareness of time passing. Still, she emphasized that the camaraderie on set gave her strength.

The group felt both nostalgic and energized, realizing they were still pushing creative boundaries decades into their careers. The film is adapted from Richard Osman’s bestselling novel, which already has a devoted global fan base. With familiar faces around her, Mirren found that the comfort of reunion made the challenge feel less overwhelming.

With old allies beside her, even new fears feel less daunting.

Defying age with attitude

She rejects stereotypes of older women.

At this stage of her career, Mirren remains outspoken about how women her age are perceived. She rejects terms like “sweet” or “feisty,” arguing they diminish older women’s complexity. For her, growing older has not meant softening into stereotypes; it has meant leaning into bolder, richer roles.

Her performance as Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in Golda sparked mixed reactions, yet Mirren stands by her choices. She has never been afraid to take on roles that demand nuance and depth, even if they court controversy. To her, that risk is part of the job.

She continues to embrace her career as an evolving journey. By speaking out against labels and embracing challenging roles, Mirren sets an example of how aging can be done on one’s own terms. She’s not slowing down, she’s rewriting expectations.

At 80, Mirren isn’t softening, she’s sharpening her edge.

TL;DR

• Helen Mirren, at 80, admits she still feels “absolute terror” before starting new roles.
• She copes by following her motto: “fake it till you make it.”
• Playing Queen Elizabeth II in The Queen was one of her most intimidating challenges.
• That performance earned her an Oscar, proving fear can fuel success.
• In Netflix’s The Thursday Murder Club, she reunites with longtime friends and co-stars.
• Mirren rejects labels like “sweet” or “feisty” that are often applied to older women.
• She continues to take bold, complex roles, including controversial ones like Golda.
• Mirren insists fear is not weakness, it’s the very fuel that keeps her creative and relevant.

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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.