Hermione Norris has directly addressed persistent rumours regarding a potential reunion for the beloved ITV comedy-drama Cold Feet, after being flooded with inquiries from eager fans. The 59-year-old actress, renowned for her role as Karen Marsden alongside James Nesbitt in the series that chronicled the intertwined lives of three couples, shared her thoughts in a recent interview with Prima magazine.
Cold Feet Reunion Speculation Dismissed
In the candid discussion, Hermione responded to the swirling speculation that the show might return after a six-year hiatus since its last broadcast. She revealed, 'There have been rumours on Facebook, and people keep coming up to us and saying, "I gather Cold Feet is coming back" – but, like anything, we’d be the last people to know. I very much doubt it would come back...'
Despite her scepticism, she acknowledged the show's enduring impact, noting, 'It would be very nice for our audience, everyone who has been on that journey with us, for it to come back. It’s close to them, it mirrors their own lives.' Cold Feet originally aired for five series from 1998 to 2003 before being revived from 2016 to 2020, cementing its place in British television history.
Cast Bonds Remain Strong
Hermione emphasised the lasting connections among the cast, stating, 'Cold Feet was such an intense shared experience, and we’re all still close. John Thomson comes to stay, and Faye Ripley and I did DNA Journey last year... We have a WhatsApp group, of course.' This camaraderie highlights the show's legacy and the deep relationships forged during its production.
Personal Life: Children Leaving Home
Beyond the reunion talk, Hermione opened up about her personal life, particularly the transition as her two children, Wilf, 21, and Hero, 18, have left home. Married to British screenwriter and TV producer Simon Wheeler since 2002, she described the experience as 'really weird,' adding, 'My husband feels it. The day-to-day life of school, GCSEs, A-levels, those days are gone.'
She shared her initial apprehensions about reconnecting with her husband, saying, 'I felt quite nervous before my husband and I went on holiday recently, to be honest, but it was really easy and nice just to be together. As a couple, you think, "Will we still like each other?" because, for years, it’s all about the functionality and dynamics of a family. It becomes about everyone else.'
Health Struggles with Long Covid
Hermione also delved into her health challenges, including her battle with long Covid and managing menopause. Her latest project, filming Pilgrimage: The Road To Holy Island for the BBC, presented physical demands that concerned her due to her past illness. She admitted, 'I’m not great at extreme discomfort. I had long Covid a few years ago, so I was worried about my physical fitness and the demands of walking so much every day, plus carrying the backpack. But we did a couple of massive walks and I was fine. I was pleasantly surprised.'
Focus on Wellness and Recovery
Reflecting on her recovery, Hermione highlighted her renewed focus on health, explaining, 'Having been ill with long Covid, my focus is on being well and healthy. It’s about exercising, not to make me look good but to keep me strong. I stretch a lot, and I’ve really got to start lifting weights.' She also mentioned using an infrared sauna for her autoimmune condition, which causes stiff joints, and noted, 'I’m so much better after the long Covid, but I feel different, physiologically. It gave me a shock, as I’ve always been quite fit and strong.'
The full interview is available in the May issue of Prima, currently on sale, while Pilgrimage: The Road To Holy Island airs on BBC2 from 5-7 April.
