Julie Walters: Shaves head to play Mo Mowlam

Julie Walters: Shaves head to play Mo Mowlam

Oscar-nominated English actress and novelist Julie Walters have shaved her head to play the late MP Mo Mowlam in a new TV drama.

Julie Walters will play the role of the popular politician in a drama for Channel 4, which is to be broadcast next year.

The drama will be a compelling account of the life of Mo Mowlam, the former Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Labour Member of Parliament, who died in 2005 after battling a brain tumour, aged 55.

The play "Mo", written by award-winning screenwriter Neil McKay, tells the story of the politician's rise to prominence in Tony Blair's New Labour government and her role in the Good Friday peace agreement for Northern Ireland in 1998. But it also focuses on her close relationship with her much-loved husband, banker Jon Norton.

The film is based on research interviews with Miss Mowlam's family. McKay spoke to friends and family of Mowlam and those involved in the Northern Ireland peace agreement, including Martin McGuinness.

Liza Marshall, Channel 4's head of drama, said, "Mo Mowlam is one of the most inspiring figures of our recent political past and I can't think of an actress who could more powerfully capture her energy, wit and ultimately the tragedy of her situation than Julie Walters. It’s a brilliant part and she will play it incredibly well. I think it will be quite a challenge for her, because she will have to be Mo Mowlam and she is so well known for being Julie Walters, but we have a fantastic director called Philip Martin, who has directed Helen Mirren and I think he will do a fantastic job with her".

Mo Mowlam made a name for herself in parliament with her refreshing down-to-earth attitude and brutal honesty.

During her time in government, Mowlam was battling a brain tumour and only went public with her illness after press jibes about her appearance.

Mo Mowlam died in Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury, Kent in August 2005 at the age of 55. She was survived by her husband, Jon Norton, who died in February 2009 at the age of 53.