Advertisement
Film

Samantha Morton: There’s a misconception kids in care don’t know love

The actress said the state was useless, but ‘certain individuals’ made her feel loved and supported

Actress Samantha Morton has insisted the perception that kids in care always grow up without love is nonsense.

The Oscar-nominated In America star, who was in care before being moved to a homeless hostel at 16, told The Big Issue: “The state were no help to me but I did feel love and support by certain individuals who were trying to do their best for me. So I always had hope.

“Sometimes all you need to turn a child’s life around is one person who notices, who cares, who goes the extra mile.

“At 16 I was living in a homeless hostel in Nottingham – it was called an independence unit but basically it was a dumping ground for kids who had to leave care. We were just forgotten about really, with no support or follow up. The people who ran the unit were great, they were as helpful as they could be with helping you get your money or apply for college. But it was a very tough time.”

In her Letter to My Younger Self this week she also confessed she’d had “close shaves” in her early career when she starred in ITV drama Band of Gold.

“There was a particular director wanted me to do topless, though that wasn’t in the script,” she said. “I was 16 years old. Sixteen! And I was having sex with a man in his sixties. I didn’t understand that I had a right to say I didn’t feel comfortable.”

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertisement
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Never miss an issue

Take advantage of our special subscription offer. Subscribe from just £9.99 and never miss an issue.

Recommended for you

Read All
Sex work is 'just another option in London's gig economy', says Sebastian filmmaker Mikko Mäkelä
Film

Sex work is 'just another option in London's gig economy', says Sebastian filmmaker Mikko Mäkelä

A Minecraft Movie director Jared Hess on why if you can find the time to play and create, it's worth it
Film

A Minecraft Movie director Jared Hess on why if you can find the time to play and create, it's worth it

The End review – get prepped for a singalong apocalypse
Film

The End review – get prepped for a singalong apocalypse

'They had nowhere to go': The story of rough sleepers left outside in London's Covid-19 lockdowns
A homeless man sleeping rough at Trafalgar Square
Homelessness

'They had nowhere to go': The story of rough sleepers left outside in London's Covid-19 lockdowns

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue