The lighting of ambition: Anna Friel on surgery, swimming and the power of a lightbulb

British actor Anna Friel has turned her attention to the high-stakes world of Australian medicine, starring as Dr Gloria Wall in the new series The F Ward. To prepare for the role, Friel consulted with two surgeons on maternity leave and studied footage of actual operations. The reality of the procedure was stark; she recalled watching scenes where half a patient’s body was externalised, a sight that initially triggered a strong gag reflex before she became immune to the graphic nature of the work. Her consultants advised that the character must be no-nonsense to survive in a male-dominated profession, a trait Friel embraced to avoid portraying her character as merely difficult.

Filming in Australia offered Friel a cultural contrast she found striking. She described the local cast and crew as a "nation of beautiful people" who possessed a confident, non-arrogant demeanour, distinct from what she characterised as British reserve. A particular point of fascination was the Australian habit of swimming daily, regardless of the hour. Friel noted the nonchalance of crew members who would dive into the water despite early 5.45am call times and late wraps, often in the dark, a practice she found both admirable and bewildering.

Beyond the set, Friel’s approach to her craft is deeply personal and sensory. She revealed a unique method for memorising scripts, preferring to learn lines in the bath by sticking pages to the walls and refusing to exit until the material is committed to memory. She acknowledged that this process becomes more difficult with age but remains a reliable tool for her. This tactile engagement extends to her interest in lighting, a passion she describes as affecting how one thinks.

Friel carries a bag full of lightbulbs to every location, aiming to create warmth and a yellow, candlelight-like ambience. Drawing inspiration from her collection of 1880–1920 Arts and Crafts furniture and Vaseline glass, she seeks to counteract the sterile lighting often found in offices and hospitals. She believes that manipulating light to be softer and warmer positively influences mood and thought, a philosophy she applies both on set and in her personal life, often suggesting dimmers or additional lamps in any room she enters.

The actor also reflected on her previous work, expressing a desire for a revival of the cancelled series Pushing Daisies, which she considers ahead of its time. She praised creator Bryan Fuller and the show’s unique blend of music, colour, and positivity. While she remains nostalgic for the comfort of 1980s and early 1990s cinema, her current focus remains on the present. The F Ward is now available to stream on Stan in Australia, bringing Friel’s portrayal of Dr Wall to local audiences.