My Acton: Susan Brown, Actor

Our regular feature on the people of Acton

Susan Brown is an actor on stage and screen. She can currently be seen on Sky Atlantic’s Game of Thrones.  She lives in Acton Central with her husband, the casting director Toby Whale.

What's happening in the life of the actor Susan Brown?

This year I’ve done an exciting movie job - The Iron Lady..I play the carer to Margaret Thatcher. Meryl Streep was talented, thoughtful..everything a star of that calibre should be. She was completely wonderful.

Oh, and I just finished filming a Midsommer Murders.

I would like to now do some more theatre.

Where do you live?

I live in Acton Central. We moved from Chiswick because I couldn’t afford to buy a house there. I’ve never regretted it for a moment. Acton just feels more real.

What is Acton’s best kept secret?

I’d have to say that Acton’s best kept secret is my friend Charlie, who lives near me. Charlie who turns 90 in October. I’ve lived in Acton for 25 years. When I first moved in the first thing neighbours said was you must meet Charlie. He was born and bred in Acton. He was a window cleaner. He also looked after people’s houses, feeds cats when we’re away. He keeps an eye on people who live alone.

Another little secret I’ve discovered is Alam Clothing on Church Road.  They are fabulous at alterations.

That is the thing about Acton - the community. We know lots of people in our road, not all terribly well but enough to feel that it’s got a community feel to it. My mother in law lives down the road.

What’s a night out for you in Acton?

If one went out in Acton, it would have to be to the North China. It really is one of the best Chinese restaurants in London. And across from there is Thai Nice, which we like. The Rocket is lovely too. If we eat out in Acton it’s one of those three.

How about a quick lunch or breakfast?

L’Oriental on Churchfield Road is great for grabbing a chicken wrap.  We often lunch at the Rocket or Angela Malik. She does marvellous soups. It’s marvellous that she does the curry making courses.

And I have to mention the Churchfield Cafe - it’s the perfect place for a Saturday morning fry-up.

Anything you can’t live without?

You can support life from Londis , along with the bread shop, you can support life completely.

I love the lampshade shop, Menos, and I know that people come from all over London to visit it.

I try to avoid going to big diy shops and I always try to go to Poore’s of Acton off Bollo Lane.

There are people in the neighbourhood who are always there for you - like Dave at Rosebank Motors and Nish and his wife at Pearl’s Drycleaners are just fantastic.

I love the key cutting shop in Market Place the electrical shop. The guy in there is marvellous and they do everything in there.  The other thing that is wonderful about Acton is the Mill Hill Surgery. It was all female but they’ve recently introduced their first male doctor.

What would you change about Acton?

It would be nice if there was a deli. It has been tried but it just doesn’t seem to work.  Fruit and veg is great. The one in market place is great.

I’m not a hundred percent sure where cross rail is going to hit acton. I  hope it doesn’t change the character of Acton.

The park and the cafe in the park is lovely.

It’s quite nice that people don’t pour in and over gentrify it.

Has Acton changed much since you’ve been here?

No, I don’t think it’s changed that much. Churchfield Road has some great shops but it’s never allowed to get to big for its boots.

It’s very neighbourly here. That’s not unique to London but there aren’t a lot of place that do that.

What do you do if you’re not in Acton?

Unless I’m working, we spend a lot of time on our narrow boat on the Thames.

Anything that makes Acton different?

One of the things that kind of makes Acton is the fact that it isn’t brilliant for public transport. It’s slightly awkward but in a way that’s quite nice because it keeps it from being too convenient..although once you get used to it and use the north london line it’s actually better than you think but I’d rather not spread that around.

What I love about Acton is it’s really cosmopolitan, it is totally ageless. You don’t feel that it’s packed with young people or very elderly people. There’s a lot of people who are indigenous, people who were born and bred right here.

Do you know someone in Acton who has made an impact on our community? Email editor@actonw3.com