Episode 1

"What’s it like being Diana Rigg’s daughter?"

For as long as she can remember, Rachael Stirling has been asked that question.

Legendary actress Diana Rigg was a force – and a mother - to be reckoned with. Her multi-award-winning career took off when she was cast as smart-talking, high-kicking, cat-suited Emma Peel in The Avengers. It was cemented when she played the only Bond girl 007 ever married, and then continued for over 50 years with iconic stage performances in Mother Courage, Jumpers and Medea, and unforgettable TV appearances in Detectorists (in which Rachael played her daughter) and as Lady Tyrell in Game of Thrones.

For Rachael, her mother’s legacy is "a lesson in living life to the fullest: in following your instincts, in taking pleasure wherever there is pleasure to be taken, in loving with all your strength and might, in laughing, always at yourself first, and in being curious, now and forever." Her book reveals her mother as gloriously straight-talking, uncompromisingly frank, fearless and deeply loving. It’s a riotous account of her mother’s life and spectacular career, and a moving testament to the love between mother and daughter.

Rachael Stirling is an acclaimed stage, film and television actress herself, whose appearances include TV’s Tipping the Velvet, Rivals and Detectorists, as well as an episode of Dr Who with her mother.

Episode 1: "One day you are going to be an actress". A drama teacher recognises the unprepossessing teenager’s talent.

Abridged by Libby Spurrier

Produced by Sara Davies

Sound design by Matt Bainbridge

Production Co-ordinator: Dawn Williams

A Pier production for BBC Radio 4