Lesley Sharp, Actress

Lesley Sharp: "It's vital that teenagers watch Girls"

Television

It's vital that teenagers watch Girls. There's an honesty, wit and ambivalence about being in your twenties that makes it unlike any other show aimed at young people. Imperfection is OK, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Lena Dunham busts the myth that women in real life and on television need to look and think like lollipops.

Visual Arts

I saw Chagall Between War and Peace at Musée du Luxembourg in Paris. It's a beautiful and loving exhibition that explains much of his recurring imagery and sadness at losing his beloved Bella. All the more magical for seeing it in Paris.

Books

I couldn't quite believe it when I read Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson. It was as if my early life had been shared and understood by a stranger. And I felt comforted on behalf of my young, confused self that another human being just up the road in the north was also experiencing very ambivalent feelings about their home life.

Theatre

I loved Port by Simon Stephens, directed by Marianne Elliot, at the National. The acting was superb. Part of Simon's genius is to make space for true collaboration and Marianne always catches the wave.

Lesley Sharp stars in 'Scott & Bailey' on Wednesdays at 9pm on ITV