Eleanor Tomlinson: What did you want to be when you were growing up?

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

This is a standing question in The Guardian's decades-long The Q&A and also recurs independently in career and life interviews.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

Recorded Eleanor Tomlinson said elsewhere, not written here

I wanted to be a vet, and then realised it’s only really dogs that I adore, and if someone had a poorly mouse, I would be the one needing medical assistance.

The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 196 →

Ann Dowd American actress

A surgeon. I studied pre-med in Holy Cross College for four years and then I went to acting school.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 15 January 2022 source ↗

Rosanna Arquette American actress

A ballet dancer, and for a while I wanted to teach children with Down’s syndrome.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 7 August 2021 source ↗

Jeremy Deller English artist

More successful with girls.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 27 June 2020 source ↗

Robert Bathurst English theatre and television actor

Wimbledon champion. I won the title frequently when playing against a pebbledash wall at home in Ireland.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 6 June 2020 source ↗

More from Eleanor Tomlinson

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Question What single thing would improve the quality of your life? Daily life

Endless acting jobs.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2024 source ↗

Question Which moment embarrassed you most? Failure & regret

I’ve never seen Star Wars (I know!) and on my first day of a recent job, I’m sitting next to this very friendly actor. I ask if he has much experience with motion capture. He says, “Yes.” I say “Oh great! What have you worked on?” He says, “I’m Mark Hamill.”

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2024 source ↗

Question What is your greatest fear? Identity & self

I’m terrified of time. The people I love are getting older and time seems to be going faster and faster. It’s scary. I’d like it to slow down, please.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 25 May 2024 source ↗