Jodie Whittaker and Suranne Jones brilliantly protest for equal pay at the NTAs

Life


Jodie Whittaker and Suranne Jones brilliantly protest for equal pay at the NTAs

By Susan Devaney

8 years ago

Actresses Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker came together at the National Television Awards to fight for equal pay. 

Since actresses across the pond started the Time’s Up initiative at the Golden Globes, award shows in 2018 have started to discuss more than women’s outfits on the red carpet.

Which is why when Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker scooped big awards at the National Television Awards in London last night (Tuesday 23 January) they seized the moment to fight for equal pay and more opportunities for women.

The Doctor Foster actress opted to wear a 50/50 badge in protest for gender equality as she picked up an award for her role as Gemma Foster in the brilliant BBC One show.

“I thought it was the right time to wear [the 50/50 badge] because I was going to be presenting. It was the right time with women on the rise,” Suranne told Digital Spy.

“It’s 50/50 equal representation for actresses but also it’s about equal and fair representation of women within the industry.

“So it’s about the kind of stories we tell, the kind of parts… So that those stories are being told on screen and in the theatre and in film, and younger women can look up to those women.”

Fellow actress Jodie Whittaker, who recently became the first female Doctor Who, also spoke of the importance of equal pay.

“It’s an incredibly important time and the notion [of equal pay] should be supported,” Whittaker told Digital Spy.

“It’s a bit of a shock that it’s a surprise to everyone that it should be supported.”

After a massive gender pay gap was revealed at the BBC last year, the broadcaster has since pledged to close the gap by 2020.

Whittaker rightly demanded equal pay to her predecessor Peter Capaldi before taking on the iconic role. 

“I know I do not speak just on behalf of the women here, I speak on behalf of the men and the women,” Whittaker added.

Images: Rex Features 

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