Sheridan Smith has revealed the kind message she received from the late Dame Maggie Smith as they filmed 2012 comedy Quartet together.
The actress, 44, has now opened up about working with the legendary star, who sadly passed away in September last year aged 89.
Sheridan, who portrayed Dr. Lucy Cogan in the film, revealed Dame Maggie ‘spotted her nerves’ on set and told her they need to ‘stick together’.
Speaking to Good Housekeeping UK, she said: ‘Dame Maggie Smith was gorgeous in Quartet, which Dustin Hoffman directed. She spotted my nerves on day one and said, ‘Come on, us Smiths stick together.’
Sheridan also shared the sweet gesture the Harry Potter star made when her dad passed away.
She added: ‘When my dad passed, she sent me a beautiful card that I still cherish.’
Sheridan Smith has revealed the kind message she received from the late Dame Maggie Smith as they filmed 2012 comedy Quartet together; pictured 2012
The actress, 44, has now opened up about working with the legendary star, who sadly passed away in September last year aged 89
The movie, followed a home for retired musicians and the annual concert to celebrate Composer Giuseppe Verdi’s birthday is disrupted by the arrival of Jean (Dame Maggie Smith), an eternal diva and the former wife of one of the residents.
While filming, Sheridan gushed over Dame Maggie calling her a ‘genius’ and said she ‘took me under her wing’.
The Gavin and Stacey star said at the time: ‘She’s a genius. I watch her at work, and you never believe she’s saying lines.
‘She took me under her wing. She’s so nice. On stage for Hedda Gabler, she sent me opening night present and card, left me a voicemail the other day, I’m overwhelmed, really.’
The three-part biopic, titled Cilla, first hit screens on ITV back in 2014.
Following ‘Cilla Black’s rocky path from Liverpool clubs to the top of the charts,’ according to the synopsis, the drama has since been added to Netflix.
Cilla was a famous singer and television presenter, known for her hit singles You’re My World and Anyone Who Had A Heart.
Sheridan, who portrayed Dr. Lucy Cogan in the film, revealed Dame Maggie ‘spotted her nerves’ on set and told her they need to ‘stick together’; pictured 2012
Speaking to Good Housekeeping UK, she said: ‘Dame Maggie Smith was gorgeous in Quartet, which Dustin Hoffman directed. She spotted my nerves on day one and said, ‘Come on, us Smiths stick together’
Sheridan also shared the sweet gesture the Harry Potter star made when her dad passed away, she added: ‘When my dad passed, she sent me a beautiful card that I still cherish’
While filming in 2012, Sheridan gushed over Dame Maggie calling her a ‘genius’ and said she ‘took me under her wing’
The series explores the famous singer’s relationships including with Bobby Willis and Brian Epstein.
Sheridan plays the titular star, alongside Aneurin Barnard, John Henshaw and others.
In the show, Sheridan dons a sleek ginger bob – strikingly different to her longer, blonde locks.
Cilla has received raving reviews by fans and one penned on Google: ‘Brilliant portrayal of Cilla by Sheridan Smith who also sings all the songs! Wow! The whole cast were fabulous. One not to be missed!’
‘Brilliant. Loved this series, Smith always smashes it,’ someone else said.
Another added: ‘Great performance by all and gives a great feel for the early 60’s in Liverpool.’
The show was a hit when it first aired over a decade ago, and triggered Cilla’s music to be back in the charts.
Thousands flocked to buy Cilla’s 1964 Number 1 smash Anyone Who Had A Heart after Sheridan performed it on the show back in 2014.
The classic track was at number 46 in the midweek chart, as well as reaching the top of the Irish charts.
Netflix fans have gone wild over ‘brilliant’ British drama Cilla starring Sheridan and gush that it is ‘not to be missed’ a decade on from its ITV release
Cilla, who sadly passed away aged 72 in 2015, watched the show and gave Sheridan her seal of approval for portraying her.
The Liverpudlian told the Daily Mirror: ‘It’s a strange experience seeing other people recreating your life… I was a bit worried when I heard that Sheridan was playing me because I’d only ever seen her as Mrs Biggs’.
However she added: ‘I needn’t have worried because Sheridan is absolutely terrific. I can’t fault her. But God knows how she sang so well with those false teeth in’, during an interview with the newspaper’s Rachael Bletchly.
The full interview can be read now in the September issue of Good Housekeeping UK
