NEW EPISODE: Hermione Norris' Easter Pilgrimage

In this episode of White Wine Question Time, host Kate welcomes actress Hermione Norris for a reflective and deeply personal conversation that unfolds like a modern-day pilgrimage. Drawing from her role in the BBC’s new series Pilgrimage, Norris shares how stepping away from her public persona to walk alongside individuals of diverse faiths and life experiences has catalyzed profound self-discovery. At 59, she reflects on the emotional and psychological liberation that comes with menopause, children leaving home, and the quiet unraveling of societal expectations. She speaks candidly about the masks women wear—submissive, polite, accommodating—and how abandoning herself to please others has come back to haunt her in subtle, recurring ways. Her journey into her family’s past through DNA Journey reveals a lineage of resilience, independence, and quiet heroism, from a wartime RAF pilot to a pioneering Swedish seamstress and a mining community advocate. These stories deepen her understanding of her own grit and determination. The conversation also touches on the erasure of women’s spiritual power in early Christianity, the value of public servants, and the importance of speaking truth—even when uncomfortable—especially in the face of misinformation. Ultimately, Norris champions authenticity, self-honour, and the courage to live truthfully, especially in later life.