Harry Potter star Miriam Margolyes backpedals on her claims Australia is ‘brutal’ and ‘greedy’ – but insists she ‘won’t keep her mouth shut’
British expat Miriam Margolyes has cleared the air following her controversial remarks about Australia.
The Harry Potter star, 79, recently came under fire for describing her adopted home country as ‘brutal’ and ‘greedy’ ahead of the release of her ABC documentary series Almost Australian.
During an interview on Today Extra on Monday, Miriam clarified that she wasn’t referring to all Australians when she made the divisive comments.
Setting the record straight: Harry Potter star and British expat Miriam Margolyes , 79, has cleared the air following her controversial remarks about Australia
‘I was quoted [by the media] as saying, “I think Australia is greedy and brutal.” Well, that’s just not what I said,’ Miriam told host David Campbell.
‘I said, “I think some Australians are greedy and brutal,” and particularly I think the architecture is awful in places like Surfers Paradise,’ she added.
She went on to complain that the tall buildings in Surfers Paradise, on Queensland’s Gold Coast, are so tall they block out the sun.
‘That, to me, is horrible and not what Australia should be like,’ Miriam said.
Clarification: During an interview on Today Extra on Monday, Miriam clarified that she wasn’t referring to all Australians when she described parts of the country as ‘brutal’ and ‘greedy’
However, Miriam insisted there were plenty of ‘glorious’ places Down Under and that she was willing to learn more about the country.
She then issued a warning to those who have been offended by her comments.
‘People get very antsy, very quickly,’ she said. ‘I’m not going to change! I’m not going to keep my mouth shut. Because that’s not what who I am!’
Learning curve: Miriam insisted there were plenty of ‘glorious’ places Down Under and that she was willing to learn more about the country. Pictured on April 16, 2015 in western Sydney
Miriam told TV Tonight last Monday that she was horrified by the ‘brutality’ and ‘greed’ of modern Australia – and later declared in an interview with The New Daily that she wouldn’t be making any apologies for her remarks.
‘I hope people will not be too annoyed about the things I have to say, but in the end, to be honest, f**k ’em if they are. That’s tough. I’m telling it like I see it,’ she said.
The BAFTA-winning actress, who lives in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, became a citizen in January 2013 after years of dividing her time between London and Australia.
‘F**k ’em’: Miriam told TV Tonight last Monday that she was horrified by the ‘brutality’ and ‘greed’ of modern Australia – and later declared in an interview with The New Daily that she wouldn’t be making any apologies for her remarks. Pictured on March 9 in London, England
‘I don’t like class distinction and there is far too much of that in England,’ she said at the time.
‘There’s an energy here – an optimism, a vitality. I think England doesn’t have that anymore. There’s an irony and not accepting bulls**t [in Australia] and I love that, that straight-talking stuff.’
Almost Australian airs Tuesday at 8.30pm on ABC and ABC iview
Famous role: Miriam, who is best known for playing Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter film series, lives in the NSW Southern Highlands with her partner. Pictured with (L-R) Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
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