Playing a historical figure is a high wire act. Anyone who’s followed global politics over the last 40 years will have an image of Margaret Thatcher somewhere in their mind’s eye, whether it’s the bouffon halo of orange hair, the studied, breathy voice or the blue crepe power suit with the handbag to match. Thatcher was parodied relentlessly in British comedy shows at the time and she has been ever since, in part because she inspired intense reactions but also because she was so instantly recognizable. She is one of the 20th century's best known women. For an actor to transform in to the Iron Lady is a very conspicuous challenge.

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Gillian Anderson worried first about the teeth.

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