Today we are joined by Ophelia Lovibond! This chat has everything - from a discussion of prosthetic penises to her Mum’s love for a willy montage, to tackling a very serious and meaningful topic: the need for bystanders to safely step in during moments of sexual harrassment - both verbally and physically - after Ophelia stepped in to prevent another woman being upskirted on the tube.

The conversation was prompted when we discussed the sexist media treatment of Carrie Johnson, who Ophelia is currently portraying in Sky Atlantic TV show, This England. The show, which also stars Kenneth Branagh as Boris Johnson, is an intimate and - at times troubling - look at 10 Downing Street at the outbreak of the Coronavirus and the key characters making decisions at the time.

Discussions around sexism and sexual harrassment are front and centre in Ophelia’s other new show, Minx which after launching on HBO Max in the USA is now finally out in the UK on Paramount+. Ophelia plays Joyce, who after persuading her publisher (played by New Girl’s Jake Johnson), creates the first erotic magazine for women - set to the backdrop of 1970s LA. Ophelia is EXCEPTIONAL in the show and it is thought provoking and laugh-out-loud comedy at its best. Minx is almost as funny as the real life stories Ophelia shares from the set, namely a stunning story about prosthetic penises - a first for this podcast, believe it or not!

I loved talking to Ophelia and I think she raises so many important points - especially during our discussion of everyday sexism - so I hope this episode resonates with you and gives you strength to speak up if you experience it or witness it. I hope you keep on listening and finding the power to Reign in your own lives, too. If you love this episode, please get in touch (follow me across social media @joshsmithhosts), I love hearing from you. Love, Josh xxx

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