Bodyguard actor Keeley Hawes says she's 'only just' started asking for equal pay
‘It’s all moving in the right direction’
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Your support makes all the difference.Bodyguard star Keeley Hawes has revealed she’s “only just” started asking for the same pay as her male counterparts.
The 43-year-old actor, who featured in hit TV series The Durrells and Line of Duty, said that times are finally changing with more “great parts” being written for women over 40.
“I've only just asked to be paid the same to do exactly the same work as someone else,” she told the The Times. ”In the past, it was always a case of take it, no questions asked, because if you don't someone else will take it.”
Hawes also praised Jennifer Lawrence for finding the confidence to speak up about women's pay in the entertainment industry.
“You need a big profile to be able to stand up for yourself. It took people like Jennifer Lawrence saying it to move things forward,” she said. ”It made her unpopular at the time but it's started a hugely powerful movement. Generally, the statistics for women's pay are still horrific compared with men's, but it's all moving in the right direction.”
It is not the first time that Hawes has discussed the topic of equal pay.
In August 2018, the actor said that it feels like there has been a shift in the way organisations tackle the matter.
“I do think businesses and corporations that we work for seem to be taking it very seriously,” she told The Mirror. “So yeah, it’s not so much of a fight, anymore. It really does feel like there’s been a real sea change here. It feels different. And I feel more empowered when I go into a project.”
Hawes also shared some advice for female actors who are going into a contract negotiation, suggesting they ensure their male co-stars are on the same page.
“If it’s something like Bodyguard and there are two of us and you’re discussing your contract, just say ‘We want parity’,” she said. “And more often than not, the actor will also say, ‘Yes, we’re doing the same amount of work, the same process. Pay us the same.’’
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