Imelda Staunton: ‘Umbridge’s giggle needed to be short and sharp. So I just did a boom, boom’

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Key context: <p>The actor answers your questions on working with her dog, becoming a dame, Harry Potter, and making televisual history in The Singing Detective</p><p><strong>You and </strong><strong>Bill Nighy</strong><strong> were comrades in </strong><strong>Pride</strong><strong>, but play estranged spouses in &amp; Sons. Was it more fun marching alongside him or giving him a piece of your mind? </strong><em><a href="https://profile.theguardian.com/user/id/107981547">MrSOBaldrick</a><br></em>It’s fun doing anything with Bill Nighy!</p><p><strong>I once saw you at </strong><strong>RHS Garden Wisley</strong><strong>. Are you a keen gardener? What’s your favourite plant? </strong><em><a href="https://profile.theguardian.com/user/id/2787309">HeyJudithB</a></em><br> Yes, I am a gardener. We love doing the garden. My favourite plant – this week – is the rose Munstead Wood, which has an incredible scent, and a deep, dark raspberry colour. It’s a rose we might be in danger of losing because of climate change. Roses need water, so I think we’re going to have to change our planting.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/13/imelda-staunton-interview-umbridge-harry-potter">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.