14 May 2023, London, United Kingdom
Oh my God. Sorry. Hello. Right. So I've been warned to not do a political statement or to be really, really boring or sad and stuff, so I'm going to start with a funny bit.
[reads] As my mother lay dying in the Bon Secours Hospital in Cork, one of the very last things she said to me was, 'would I not consider retraining as a teacher'. If she could see me now, getting a BAFTA for playing a teacher ... Joke's on you, Mam!
Sugar, sugar. No, no, I'll never be up here again. Dammit. Lisa McGee, thank you. Who knew that getting drunk and making each other laugh for decades would pay off? Thank you for giving me Sister Michael and not listening to me when I said I could play all the girls' parts. Thank you, BAFTA. I wanted this so much. Thank you for giving it to me, especially considering the other nominations. And Channel 4, you have my devotion. Don't fire me. Hat Trick. You're very clever for picking up this script. Well done. Liz Liu and Caroline Ledger. Brian Faulkner, you're fantastic producers. Thank you for extraordinary crew. I love you. Thank you for reminding me, Mike Lennox, you're a brilliant director, my darling girls, Louisa, Nicola, the whole lot of them. Peter, I love you all. To Kevin Brady, my agent and my pal for seeing everything all the day,
Ugh. [exhausted at the pace]
Toi AHA talent, to my chosen family and friends. I'm everything because of you. To the people of Cork who supported me, despite the fact I'm not Cillian Murphy. I know that has been very difficult for you. To my brother, to my mother and father who aren't here, but I'm going to be quick because it has to be to the people of Derry. Thank you for taking me into your hearts and your living rooms. I am daily impressed with how he encompassed the spirit of compromise and resilience, despite the indignities, ignorance and stupidity of your so-called leaders in Dublin, Stormont, and Westminster.
In the words, words of my beloved Sister Michael. It's time they started to wise up. Thank you so much.