NATALIE ANDERSON

Get to know… NATALIE ANDERSON

ACTRESS AND FOUNDER OF THE CAPSULE

Q Why did you first launch The Capsule?

A I was writing a fashion blog for Hello!, back in 2015-16, and I decided I wanted to expand on that. The premise behind it was I wanted to source and find things for women when they didn’t have time to go and do it themselves.

I started to get an idea that I wanted to create more of a website feel to it, and that was from 2017-18. That’s what I was doing very slowly because I was working full-time, and then in 2018 I was really struggling with my anxiety which I have had for a really long time, but I was really struggling privately with it. I had never discussed it in public, but I was finding products that were helping me and putting them on the website, saying this may help but not saying why. What I started finding was that those products and articles were doing the best, so it made me really think there was something going on here with women and mental health. Then we did a live event and the whole thing started to snowball, it got bigger and bigger very quickly. At this live event, it was obvious there were so many women who were not being supported in areas of wellbeing and mental health, and women’s health in general.

Q Do you enjoy creating The Capsule in Conversation podcasts?

A I love them. I never expected to feel the way that I did doing the podcasts. I never expected it be what it is. We are into season seven now, three years in, and I can’t even believe we have had over 80 guests. It gives me so much joy because every single person has something di erent to say and something di erent that will relate to another woman. That for me is the most beneficial part, being able to share people’s stories with other women so they go “actually, yes, I relate to that, I am not alone”. If it makes people feel less alone or weird, then that’s the most rewarding part.

Q You are also an ambassador for Smart Works. What does the charity do?

A Smart Works is an amazing charity and is something I am really passionate about. It’s a charity that helps to get vulnerable

SOME DELIGHTS FROM BETTYS

“I get really emotional when I start to think about home”

and unemployed women back into the workplace. Across the board there is a spectrum of women that need to get back into work, but have lost their confidence and wouldn’t know how to start with the interview process, and Smart Works helps to give them the confidence.

Q How do you look back on your acting career to date?

A I am really happy with it. I wouldn’t have thought at 12 when I started my first professional job that I would still be doing it 30 years later. I have been so fortunate to have done so many amazing things, with so many wonderful people, I have ticked a lot of boxes. I have been lucky enough to do the West End, to do soaps, to do films. I feel very fortunate

STARRING ALONGSIDE LIAM NEESON IN MEMORY WAS A HIGHLIGHT

I have had those opportunities. I am proud of myself and how I have managed to navigate in what is a really di cult industry, but I think for me it never stops. It’s always a hustle! But there’s been some good stu in there.

Q Is Emmerdale the highlight?

A I would probably say the film that I did with Guy Pearce, Liam Neeson and Martin Campbell [Memory] last year is a highlight for me. Martin is the director of Casino Royale and I am a massive James Bond fan, so to get to work with him was pretty cool.

Q You are Yorkshire born and bred, so where are your three favourite spots in the county?

A When I start to think about home, that is when I start to get really emotional! Ilkley Moor, 100%, my number one place. I have to start every new year with a walk on Ilkley Moor, otherwise the year goes bad! It’s my

LEEDS BRADFORD AIRPORT IS A QUIRKY LOCAL FAVOURITE

tradition now, to get up there and look out, it’s the most beautiful place to be.

Number two, Betty’s, either one of them, Betty’s in Harrogate and Betty’s in Ikley. It’s a tradition as well, it’s a special thing to go to Betty’s and get your egg custards and your cakes and things. That’s a massive piece of home for me.

Then my third place… This is a funny one, but I would say Leeds Bradford Airport. When I was little I used to go and watch the planes taking o and I love travelling so much, so for me the airport is a sense of adventure. I was so lucky to have it so close to where I live, it’s that freedom that we could hop o anywhere.

The Capsule #inconversation is available to listen to on all major platforms including Spotify, Google and Apple – see more at thecapsule.co.uk