When it comes to playing the British TV game, Kara Tointon has pretty much completed it. Her first part straight out of school was in Channel 4 classic Teachers playing a student. Two decades later, the roles have reversed – and now she’s at the head of the class in Channel 5’s The Teacher.
In the 20-odd years between, she shot to fame as Dawn Swann in BBC’s EastEnders; she won Saturday-night TV as well as the Strictly Come Dancing crown in 2010; and she sizzled on screen as Jeremy Piven’s better half in ITV’s Mr Selfridge.
Yet she’s admitted in the past that theatre is actually where she’s happiest – her poised and elegant Olivia in Twelfth Night with the Royal Shakespeare Company undoubtedly a career highlight.
We caught up with Tointon fresh from Series 2 of The Teacher…
Shop the look: Dress by Carmen March; earrings by Wolf & Zephyr
Life
SM: What upcoming projects are you most excited about?
KT: It’s been a lovely year work wise to have led two Channel 5 dramas – Too Good To Be True and The Teacher. It was great to get my teeth sunk into two strong lead characters, each very different, which was both challenging and fulfilling.
Whilst on a personal level, it’s been full-on juggling filming and relocating my family to Norway; I’m looking forward to spending the winter in Scandinavia.
SM: What is your proudest professional accomplishment?
KT: Great question. That’s what keeps me in the industry: striving for it.
SM: If you could change one thing about your career, what would it be?
KT: There are many things that in retrospect I may have done differently, but in the end you need to accept your personal journey because no two people are alike. You never stop learning. I feel incredibly lucky to be where I am in my career – and still able to do it.
SM: Outside of your family, who is your biggest inspiration?
KT: There are so many people I admire for different reasons. A lot of actors obviously and people who create.
Most of the films that I watch for comfort are directed by Nancy Meyers. Growing up, they were the films that I loved and always had on loop. I then realised that they were all made by the same person. She’s incredible.
SM: What do you stull hope to achieve?
KT: To continue to work and keep enjoying what I do.
SM: Tell us something nobody knows about you…
KT: I’m a good skier, it’s my favourite hobby and being outdoors in the mountains is where I love to be.
Shop the look: Dress by Carmen March; earrings by Wolf & Zephyr
Style
SM: What’s your favourite item of clothing – and what does it mean to you?
KT: The jumpers my nan used to knit are of huge sentimental value. Her beautiful handy work means a lot.
Another is an Alexander McQueen dress I bought for myself back in 2011 for an event. It was extremely expensive but I love that I own it. Black, classic and timeless.
SM: And your favourite accessory ?
KT: A John Hardy bracelet that I bought about 15 years ago. I don’t wear it so much anymore because it’s quite chunky but it’s stunning. It felt really good to buy a piece of jewellery for myself.
SM: What’s your biggest style disaster?
KT: Too many. Red Carpet disasters. Things may have trailed along and I’ve tripped over or I couldn’t breathe. Something fitting you properly is as important as it sounds.
My stylist Kelvin makes sure everything fits immaculately and so nowadays I always feel comfortable and confident.
Jacket and trousers: Laura Green
Jacket and trousers: Laura Green
SM: Is there an item you threw away that you really miss?
KT: I threw away a Vivienne Westwood poncho/cardigan and I’ve never forgiven myself. Not really sure what I was thinking but at the time I was trying to streamline
a very cluttered wardrobe. I messed up.
SM: What’s next on your shopping list?
KT: Having two children, I don’t really shop for myself like I used to. I’ve developed a more comfortable wardrobe. I do enjoy buying quality pieces that last. Quality over quantity, good materials.
It’s great to dress up occasionally but I’m naturally a jeans and T-shirt kinda gal.
SM: And what if money were no object?
KT: A big yacht that we could live on and travel the world.
Shop the look: Dress: Free People; hat: Lock & Co. Hatters
The Teacher Season 2 is available to watch now on catch-up on My5; channel5.com
