Between 1999 and 2009 Lightsabre.co.uk brought news, fanfic, podcasts and much, much more to the masses. Our eleventh guest played Mon Mothma herself – Caroline Blakiston.
Lightsabre – Caroline, welcome to Lightsabre.
CB – Thank you Mark.
Lightsabre – You’ve been in episodes of Midsomer Murders, Lovejoy, Shoestring, The Sweeney and appeared in two episodes of The Avengers, yet you are internationally best known for your role as Mon Mothma in Return of the Jedi. How do you feel about that?
CB – I’m delighted that Mon Mothma made such a mark, as she is only on screen for twenty-seven and a half seconds!
Lightsabre – Return of the Jedi was the final chapter in the original Star Wars trilogy, and as such a huge amount of expectation was weighing upon it. How did it feel to come into that arena as a new actor to the series?
CB – I hadn’t seen the earlier Star Wars films when I made my debut. But I knew I was joining a rollercoaster and that was exciting
Lightsabre – Tell us something of your career. How did you begin in entertainment and what led you to where you are today?
CB – I’ve worked in film, theatre and TV for nearly half a century. I’ve had a wonderful career in all forms and I’m not planning to stop yet!
Lightsabre – What has it been like to be a part of the Star Wars phenomenon?
CB – What I like about the Star Wars films is that they are great myths about Good and Evil and there is plenty to learn for the world of our time.
Lightsabre – We often hear funny stories from the sets of the movies, and I expect Jedi was no different, although am I correct in saying that you were very nervous when you stepped onto the set?
CB – The text I had learned was changed when I arrived on set so that took plenty of determination.
Lightsabre – Your character Mon Mothma had a great fiction life beyond your portrayal of her in Jedi until her fictional death. What is it about Mothma that made her such a popular character in the Expanded Universe, and did you like to keep up with her exploits
CB – Mon Mothma is a good name. I figured it derived from Moon Mother, which gave her a calm exterior when things got rough
Lightsabre – What would you change about your Star Wars experience if you could go back and do it again?
CB – Nothing. It was great and I’m off to the 25th anniversary convention in Indianapolis in April.
Lightsabre – In the mid 80’s and again in the early 90’s you played Lady Patience Hardacre in the series Brass, alongside Timothy West. That was a roaring success. What memories do you have of the series?
CB – Too many and too shocking to repeat. We had the best time and I’d be happy if it was revived now for six months every year.
Lightsabre – Mon Mothma appears in the latest episode, Revenge of the Sith. Are you intrigued to see how Genevieve O’Reilly portrays the role, knowing that she will be taking many of her cues from your own performance back in 1982?
CB – Of course I am. I am sure she will find her own way. After all, in the story she was Mon Mothma before me! I wish her great success.
Lightsabre – What do you foresee in the future for yourself?
CB – Having fun playing lovely entertaining parts, knitting for my grandchildren and growing organic vegetables in my garden by the sea.
Lightsabre – It’s been a great interview, and thanks for being our guest. Just one final question. Mon Mothma and Lady Hardacre are at the dispatch box in the Houses of Parliament, debating a political point. Which one gets their point across the best?
CB – If you put them together as Lady Patience Mon Mothacre you could get sense from half of her and a lot of shocking jokes from the other half!
This interview was originally posted on lightsabre.co.uk on 20th March 2005.
