Actor Jason Watkins on losing his daughter Maude, battling depression and shining a light on grief
Key words: ADHD, child bereavement, dyslexia, grief, sepsis, suicide
In this episode I am joined by the award-winning actor and campaigner Jason Watkins. One of Britain’s leading performers whose roles across drama and comedy - on TV, film and stage - have got us thinking, made us laugh and even cry.
Jason has won a best actor Bafta for his role in the Lost Honour of Christopher Jeffries, played Prime Minister Harold Wilson brilliantly in The Crown and stars in the hit series Macdonald and Dodds. On the big screen he appeared in Bridget Jones and of course the hilarious Nativity films.
But it’s as a result of personal tragedy that Jason has taken on the role of campaigner. Following the sudden death of his two-and-a-half year old daughter Maude on New Year’s Day 2011 (ck this!) Jason and his wife Clara have worked tirelessly as Ambassadors for the UK Sepsis Trust. In the ITV documentary ‘In Memory of Maudie’ they shone a powerful light on the process of their own terrible grief in the hope that it will help others.
I also talk to Jason about his earlier struggles with mental health, his recently diagnosed ADHD and how through resilience, humour and the support of his family he remains, in my view, destined to become a national treasure.
My thanks to Jason for this moving and brave conversation. And if you take away one thing from this powerful episode, please make it this; if you’re worried about someone’s medical condition just
ask the doctor “could it be sepsis?”
This episode includes a discussion about the loss of a child.
Full transcript available here:
www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podc...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:37 Early life
08:25 Dyslexia + ADHD
11:42 Acting
21:32 Not ready for fatherhood
23:39 Acting nerves and egos
27:20 Male suicide
29:32 Maude
41:44 After Maude's death
47:56 Sepsis
48:41 Responses to grief
53:10 Dark pit of grief
59:38 Talking about the pain
01:00:04 NHS A&E
01:12:38 BAFTA
01:13:31 Outro
Links
Jason’s Just Giving Page in memory of Maude for UK Sepsis Trust - www.justgiving.com/Jason-watk...
Surviving the Loss of your World - slowgroup.co.uk
Child Bereavement UK - www.childbereavementuk.org/pa...
The UK Sepsis Trust - sepsistrust.org/
Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: ampl.ink/qp6bm
Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk
Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: open.spotify.com/track/5OX9Xg...
Host - Andy Coulson
CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering
With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global
For all PR and guest approaches please contact - podcast@coulsonpartners.com
Пікірлер: 6
We've experienced the loss of a youngster, it left me empty and I still feel the same 50 odd years have gone by.
I have learned so much about this much respected actor.
I'm so terriblely sorry for your loss to lose an adult in our family is something you can never forget, but to lose a child is always hard to bare my condolences to you Jason and you family I'm so terriblely sorry for your loss..❤
Thank you for sharing ❤
Thank you Jason for being prepared to share and bear pain to reveal this part of your life many of us never knew. We have shared a small part of that pain. We think how can he be so funny, how can he divert from grief long enough to give of himself to acting amazing parts.. This shows tremendous fortitude and discipline, something we might not realise needs to be a part of an actor's life, a profession we might think does not have the meaning and weight of so many others. Thank you Jason for using your pain to help others i will never be able to see you again as just a brilliant actor and comedian that we love and admire. Best wishes to you and your family.
@crisiswhatcrisis
3 ай бұрын
Very well said.