Nominate the best older person’s character

I think numberplease's post about Indian clothing (and the responses it received) demonstrates that there are still people on Gransnet who are definitely not set in their ways but open to new ideas and innovation.

I don't feel old, I am not fat, and I don't blame the government for everything

Well said Katy. If I found myself in a situation where I felt surrounded by such people I'd remove myself from it pdq!

I'd say the mix is much the same as it was when I joined in the summer of 2011 - some debating politics, some discussing heartthrobs, some at the races, some buying clothes, some sharing angst about family estrangements, some asking about cooking or household matters. A few arguments and a lot of support.

Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.

And a few who will complain about either the one-up-manship of posting a quote in French or the inaccuracy of the missing accents and other mistakes.

I think maybe some things are meant to be a bit tongue in cheek. I posted on the 'looked in the mirror and wish you hadn't' that I have bits dropping off, and things appearing on my face that I didn't want, but it was meant to be lighthearted. I am alive and (as far as I am aware) not ill.

Yes, yes I take your point mcem. I wasn't referring to any specific members, just a general overall impression.

The problem with nominations for this year's Best Older Person's Character is that there seem to have been so few outstanding new dramas, plays or even comedies screened during the speficied period, certainly not featuring 'older' characters.

Perhaps Aka's right and Sarah Lancashire's character in Happy Valley should be considered old enough to be 'older'...

Elegran your second post at 10.29 made me giggle!

I do like Allsorts and that's what we get on GN, the good 'uns and the bad 'uns, the wise and windbags all mixed up together, with the nice and the nasty, the self-opinionated and the self-deprecating. A wonderful mix! My favourite Allsort continues to be the aniseed jelly one which is so complementary to the taste of good old-fashioned liquorice.

I don't care what the criteria is I just think that Julie Walters is the best all round character ever, luv her to bits.

I think it should be Roy of Corrie, and sod the rules.

I agree with Ana, The best dramas shown during the specified time have mostly been police/action based. Apart from Sarah Lancashire's character - and she was hardly old - there's no one that springs to mind.

Vanessa Redgrave as Marion in Song for Marion.
Or Terence Stamp as her husband Arthur.

Eloethan, when did you start campaigning for the People's Assembly? Have you written anything about it? Can we nominate you?

I have actually nominated Harry Smith for his book Harry's Last Stand, and his article in the Guardian last November, "This year I will wear a poppy for the last time."
But I am sure we can nominate more than one person.

Song for Marion was 2012, so outside the time period specified, jendurham.

That's kind of you durham but no thank you. I would be massively embarrassed to be nominated, as my contribution to the People's Assembly - or any other group that is campaigning for justice - has, I'm afraid, been but a drop in the ocean compared to that of other highly committed people. Having read Harry Smith's moving article in the Guardian recently, I support his nomination.

My husband and I attended a screening of The Spirit of '45 when flyers were handed out for the People's Assembly (which is not a political party but a movement for social justice), which we liked the sound of and therefore we went to its first conference last year. We then set up a small local group and we campaign by setting up a stall in areas of high footfall - near the market, outside stations, outside colleges, etc., handing out leaflets about our group and asking people for their opinions as to the present situation. With many people feeling that politics is nothing to do with them, we aim to get them to realise that politics isn't about a group of people shouting each other down in the House of Commons but is something which affects each and every one of us in our daily lives. Of course, many do not agree with us or are totally uninterested and it can be disheartening at times, but we try to encourage people - whatever their views - to at least think about different ways of achieving economic and social harmony.

In any event, I think this is about a "charactersisation" in film or TV rather than an actual person.

Yes, this category is, Eloethan, but if you look on the website there are lots of other categories, which is why I nominated Harry Smith for his book.
Shame about Song for Marion. My copy says 2013. Didn't realise it was that long ago. My eldest granddaughter was an extra in it, but nobody saw her.

Is the People's Assembly the one that is organising the march against austerity next week? I think Tony Benn and Ken Loach had something to do with setting it up, along with people like Arthur Smith and Bruce Kent.
It's in my list of favourites, which seems to get longer every day.

Song for Marion was made in 2012 but not actually released until February 2013, so it's still out of time, I'm afraid.

It was released in this country in 2013, but was in Canada in 2012. It was filmed in 2011, according to my granddaughter's CV. She probably did not tell us at the time because her grandad was dying of a brain tumour.
Just found out she's got a first in drama and English, from the same college that Christopher Eccleston went to.

I think Bill Nighy as Johnny Worricker in Turks and Caicos and Salting the Battlefield (OK it's a bit dodgy because the first of the trilogy was made in 2011) but he was excellent in all three. And he is one of the best older male actors around.

Roger Allam as Fred Thursday in Endeavour. He is always good to watch and does a bit of scene stealing as well.

For me too, it has to be Maggie Smith in Downton Abbey. What a character she plays and what an actress too.

Latest nomination-Stephen Rea in The Honourable Woman. A man who has a past, but is trying to do some good. Sympathetic, intelligent, sexy.