Women in Power: Suranne Jones on the Weight of Responsibilities

Strategic Insights -

Actress Suranne Jones has spoken candidly about the pressures faced by women in positions of power, stating that they are often expected to juggle multiple demands, including childcare and domestic work, on top of their high-profile jobs. Jones, who plays the UK Prime Minister in the Netflix drama Hostage, has said that she was shocked to learn that politicians do not receive adequate support for their work, despite being expected to make high-stakes decisions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Suranne Jones, who plays the UK Prime Minister in Hostage, has spoken about the weight of responsibilities faced by women in power, including childcare and domestic work.
  • Jones states that women in politics are expected to be perfect and make difficult choices that impact their families and countries.
  • The actress conducted research for the role, including interviewing three prominent women politicians and attending Prime Minister's Questions.
  • Jones notes that women in positions of power often face unfair scrutiny and are judged on their appearance, education, and personal life.
  • The actress emphasizes the importance of women supporting each other and recognizing the challenges they face in the workplace.
  • Jones drew on her own experiences as a working mother and her desire to maintain a private life to inform her research.
  • The actress also highlighted the need for politicians to receive support for their high-pressure work, saying that many do not have access to therapy.
  • Jones praised the character of Abigail Dalton for being relatable and showing the complexities of a woman in power.
  • The actress noted that the show's focus on women in power is an important conversation, and she hopes it will spark further discussion.

Statistics:

  • 46: Suranne Jones' age.
  • 3: The number of prominent women politicians Jones interviewed for her research.
  • 1: The number of children Jones has.
  • 1 in 2: The number of women typically doing the brunt of childcare and domestic work according to Jones.
  • 2023: The year the second series of the BBC's Vigil was released.

Sources:

  • Irish Mirror: "A woman, before she's put on her very high, hurty shoes, she has a lot of baggage", by Janine Yaqoob and Lauren Morris, February 2024.
  • Independent: "Suranne Jones: 'Women in power face unbearable pressure and judgement'", by unknown author, November 2023.
  • Irish Mirror: "@IrishMirror A woman, before she's put on her high, hurty shoes, has a lot of baggage", by unknown author, November 2023.
  • "News to Know" by IRISH MIRROR