Ep 223: Sian Clifford on her hilarious leading role in LADY & why FLEABAG will be with her forever

This week Anna talks with actors Sian Clifford and Laurie Kynaston, and with director Samuel Abrahams about their new film LADY, a mockumentary about a lonely aristocrat who invites a documentary crew into her home, with events taking a surreal turn as her desire to be seen spirals out of control. The episode opens with a lively conversation recorded live at BFI Southbank, where Sian, Sam and Laurie discuss how a real life YouTuber inspired the writers, the 15 day shoot at Somerleyton Hall in Suffolk, the improvisational freedom of shooting in documentary style, and the joy of working with a tiny, trusted crew. Questions from the audience touch on class, Britishness and the film's surreal turn into invisibility. Anna then sits down with Sian Clifford one-on-one, for a more in-depth conversation, about her leap of faith in taking on the role, the emotional afterglow of the BFI screening, FLEABAG’s lasting legacy, and her recent run of releases including MOTHER MARY and THE BALLAD OF WALLIS ISLAND, and what it means to carry a film as a lead after playing mainly supporting roles. LADY is in UK cinemas from Friday 14th August 2026. This episode was made in partnership with LADY. Sign up to our newsletter at girlsonfilm.org.uk, and keep an eye on our socials for news of our upcoming show at the Edinburgh International Film Festival. Other films and TV series mentioned in this episode: Fleabag The Ballad of Wallis Island Mother Mary Ludwig Season 2 Life After Life Become a patron of Girls On Film on Patreon here: www.patreon.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Follow us on socials: www.instagram.com/girlsonfilm_podcast/ www.facebook.com/girlsonfilmpodcast Watch Girls On Film on the BFI’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLX…L89QKZsN5Tgr3vn7z Girls On Film is an HLA production. Host: Anna Smith Executive Producer: Hedda Lornie Archbold Producers: Nicki Glossop and Hedda Lornie Archbold Audio Editor: Elliana Jay Hamer Social Media Producers: Dr Jade Evans and Ruby Rose Bradshaw Intern: Lucy Johnson Principal partners Peter Brewer and Vanessa Smith This episode is in partnership with LADY © HLA Agency