Juliet Stevenson: If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change? — FLAPSS

The question

If you could revise one chapter of your past, what would you change?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Repeated verbatim in The Guardian's long-running Saturday Q&A; two publisher-hosted examples establish recurrence.

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Juliet Stevenson

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I would find a much better way of looking after my mum in her last three years of dementia. I did my best, but it was incredibly difficult to find the right kind of care unless you’ve got £3,000 a week to spend.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 203 →

Ronnie Wood English rock musician

All the hanging about.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 September 2017 source ↗

Greg James British author, broadcaster, comedian, and presenter

If I had known what a stylist was when I joined Radio 1, I would have enlisted the help of one.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2019 source ↗

Emma Barnett British broadcaster and journalist

Not being able to have a baby for two and a half years. Lots of people say it made me a better person; I think it made me worse. You go to a very dark place with your friends because they are having kids, and you want to be happy for them but you’re not.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 20 February 2021 source ↗

I’d drink less alcohol in the 90s.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 9 September 2023 source ↗

More from Juliet Stevenson

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Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I really wanted a role in Harry Potter and I never got one.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

A deep sense that they will be fine in the world without me.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

Question What is the harshest thing anyone has said to you? Failure & regret

I get a lot of abuse online because of my opposition to the assault on Gaza. The abuse is horrific, but I’ve learned to ignore it. The integrity of how you live your life is more important than what strangers think.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

Question What is the worst job you have ever had? Craft & work

I worked in a supermarket on the Kings Road when I was 17, standing by the beers, wines and spirits to make sure people didn’t shoplift. They were such horrible employers that I didn’t care whether people shoplifted or not.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I talk too much.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

Question When did you last change your mind about something important? Change of mind

I vowed never to marry, but we got married as soon as we could after lockdown. I used to think it was patriarchal but when same-sex marriage became legal, I thought: OK, great, this institution has finally changed.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 2 May 2026 source ↗

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