Doran Godwin was born in Harrow in 1950. She is probably best known for her participation in two extremely popular television series, “Shoestring” with Trevor Eve in 1979 and 1980 and “The Irish RM” as the wife of Peter Bowles in 1983.
Interview with Doran Godwin regarding “Shoestring: Doran Godwin kindly agreed to share her thoughts with us on Shoestring, and acting. We’ve reproduced her answers to our questions below, and would like to thank Ms. Godwin for her enthusiasm and help
Dene & Nick: What prompted you to become an actress?
Doran Godwin: I was encouraged, as a child, to enjoy books, libraries, poetry,
drama and the theatre. Elocution lessons, L.A.M.D.A. examinations, [and]
inspirational private lessons led, naturally, to going to Drama School and knowing
that I wanted to be an actress. I can’t think of any particular actor who interested
me. I loved American films.
drama and the theatre. Elocution lessons, L.A.M.D.A. examinations, [and]
inspirational private lessons led, naturally, to going to Drama School and knowing
that I wanted to be an actress. I can’t think of any particular actor who interested
me. I loved American films.
DK & NS: How did you get the role of Erica Bayliss?
DG: [It] was offered to me by Robert Banks Stewart with whom I had worked
previously.
previously.
DK & NS: In what way did you view, or approach playing, Erica?
DG: I had a friend who was a solicitor, he helped me with the ‘law aspect’ of the
Erica character. She was modern, hard working, bright, [and] independent.
Goodness knows why she took Eddie Shoestring seriously – I think he may have
started off as a tenant in her home. She had him there, in her life, on her own terms
I feel. [There was] not a great deal of actual development – just the ageing process
– [and a] slight dissatisfaction with Eddie at times.
Erica character. She was modern, hard working, bright, [and] independent.
Goodness knows why she took Eddie Shoestring seriously – I think he may have
started off as a tenant in her home. She had him there, in her life, on her own terms
I feel. [There was] not a great deal of actual development – just the ageing process
– [and a] slight dissatisfaction with Eddie at times.
DK & NS: Can you remember any aspects of Shoestring’s production?
DG: [The] schedule [was] well planned and executed. I think this was the first (or
second) filmed series for the BBC. This made it exciting, and the permanent
studio sets helped enormously. It was like ‘going home’. I was very proud of the
work done on the two series, it was fun being in something modern and enjoyed
by many people.
second) filmed series for the BBC. This made it exciting, and the permanent
studio sets helped enormously. It was like ‘going home’. I was very proud of the
work done on the two series, it was fun being in something modern and enjoyed
by many people.
DK & NS: Had Shoestring continued for a third series, would you have stayed?
DG: I would have been very content to do further series.
With thanks to Doran Godwin.
The above interview can also be accessed online here.
