Me and my London: Amy Huberman

Amy Huberman may be a national treasure in Ireland but she's an honorary Londoner, having called this city home in the past. 

She's back in the Emerald Isle now but we won't hold that against (too much). 

The actress and writer has published two novels but it's her TV show Finding Joy that brings her the most, um, happiness. 

Read a few capital tips from a woman who has quite literally been here, done that, and bought the postcard (you'll see what we mean). 

Me... 

What upcoming project(s) are you most excited about?

My show 'Finding Joy' has just started on the W channel this month and I'm so excited about it. It's the first series I've written and it's been a complete passion project and to see it grow from the initial idea, to writing the show, filming it, releasing it, and now seeing it travel overseas so exciting!

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

Writing this show for sure. I've written two novels before but I always wanted to write a comedy series. We've just finished filming series two of the show which has been a great sense of accomplishment in itself as you never know if something will get the green light to go again after the first run.

If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?

I don't like that sense of feeling tethered to past choices or circumstance. The nature of acting and writing is often the unknown and I always try to look forward. That sense of not knowing what's coming next can be as exciting as it can be frustrating. But I've garnered knowledge, experience, made friends, travelled somewhere new and had some sort of adventure be it good or bad from every career moment I've had.

I'd rather hold on to that than wonder about certain things having played out in a different way or other.

What do you hope to achieve that you haven’t yet?

Your head is always thinking, what next? I'd love to co-write a show or be involved in a writers room. Bouncing ideas or jokes around with others is just really fun and inspiring.

Outside of your family, who is / was your biggest inspiration?

I get inspiration from and for so many different things. Career wise, my peers inspire me and I get so excited to see their work come to fruition. That can be really inspiring and encouraging!

But there's nothing more inspiring than good people doing kind, decent things. That can be a fleeting thing from a stranger, or things I know my close friends are involved in. Sometimes it's the smallest things, right in front of your nose that can be the most inspiring things

Tell us something nobody knows about you….

I have impossibly straight thumbs. They do not bend backwards even a millimetre. My secret's out...

My London

What do you love most about London?

The buzz and the pace. Walking down roads of pretty Victorian houses full of character, exploring different boroughs, each with their own charm and feeling.

What would you change about London?

I'd love if London, and the UK was still in the EU to be honest! My father is a Londoner, I have family there and I have lived in London on and off over the years so it feels like a second home. I felt truly sad the day the UK officially left the EU.

Other than that I wish the tube didn't feel quite so overwhelming in the summer at rush hour, especially if you'd had a few cocktails the night before..

What is your favourite London pub / bar?

The Cocktail Bar in The Marylebone Hotel.

What is your favourite London restaurant?

When I think of London food I think of great roast dinners in pubs on Sunday afternoons with friends. I went for dinner in The Cow in Notting Hill recently with friends and the Thomas Cubitt Pub in Belgravia where you can write a postcard at the end of your meal and they'll post it for you.

It was so nice getting home and a few days later receiving a little time capsule memory of great chats over a Sunday roast by the fire one afternoon on a frosty London day. I still have it on my fridge!

Where would you take someone on a London date?

I think it would have to be to see a show. Get tickets to the theatre and then go for a drink afterwards.

If you’re visiting London, what’s the one thing you MUST do?

For me it's heading straight to Soho. I adore pottering around Liberty and then sitting in a coffee shop with a book and people watching.

Finding Joy airs Wednesdays at 10pm on W