Miriam Margolyes, known for her role in Harry Potter, criticizes Australia and shares what she dislikes about the country

Miriam Margolyes has taken a swipe at Australia and revealed the few things she dislikes about the country she now considers a second home.

The 83-year-old British actress has a deep affection for Australia and has participated in filming numerous programs in the country, with her most recent project being the 2024 documentary Impossibly Australian.

Having been in a relationship with her partner Heather Sunderland for 57 years, who is Australian, Miriam has also obtained Australian citizenship and owns a residence in the NSW Southern Highlands.

However, Miriam has revealed what she really thinks about Australia and why her ‘allegiance’ to the country has changed recently.

During an appearance on the Kyle and Jackie O Show on KIIS FM, she expressed her admiration for Australia, describing it as a fantastic country, even though she believes it is currently experiencing challenges like the rest of the world.

‘But no, I do care about it. And I am an Australian citizen. I became a citizen because my partner is Australian, and I wanted to be ever closer to Australia. 

‘But now I think my allegiance has slipped slightly and gone to New Zealand.’

Miriam also revealed the one thing she doesn’t like about Australia, saying that the manners are ‘f**king terrible’.

The Harry Potter star, famed for playing Professor Sprout, also got in a political row with Kyle Sandilands as she shared her thoughts on US President Donald Trump.

Responding to her remarks about New Zealand, Kyle replied: ‘It’s like Trump says about Canada. 

‘New Zealand’s pretty much another state of Australia anyway, so I totally get it. I get what you love about it.’

However, Miriam passionately hit back with: ‘Don’t ”let’s talk” about lumps of orange turd. I can’t bear it,’ as she made her feelings about Trump very clear.

Shock jock Kyle then replied: ‘Oh, don’t tell me you’re one of these fools that don’t understand he’s going to bring greatness. You’re not. 

‘Oh, you’ve been you’ve been twisted by the Whoopi Goldberg’s of the world. What a shame.’

To which Miriam hilariously replied: ‘I wouldn’t mind being twisted by Whoopi Goldberg!’

Elsewhere in the interview, Miriam also gave a very rare insight into her 57-year relationship with her historian partner Heather, who keeps out of the public eye.

Kyle asked Miriam what the secret is to a long and lasting relationship and how they don’t ‘grow tired’ of each other.

The Call the Midwife star replied that not living together keeps their romance alive, with the couple instead speaking on the phone every day.

‘You have to be honourable and have integrity and not just want to f**k,’ she explained. 

‘You concentrate on the person. And after a lifetime together, you realise how lucky you are to have found somebody so special. And I really do feel that.’

Miriam became an Australian citizen in 2013 and shares a holiday home with Heather called Yarrawa Hill in the Southern Highlands, which they rent out when not in use. 

They independently travel between their respective homes in London, Tuscany and Australia, and see each other about eight times a year.

The couple first met in 1967 while working together on a BBC radio drama after Miriam graduated from her studies at the University of Cambridge.

They have been together ever since and Miriam gushed over their partnership in her 2021 autobiography, This Much Is True.

‘We have been together for 53 years. It is a big achievement,’ she penned at the time.

‘An academic and a scholar, Heather is my polar opposite: reticent, incredibly private and reserved.’

Heather is an Australian historian and former professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands.