Almost 30 years after the final episode of This Life, Daniela Nardini has swapped acting for therapy. The actor, who played razor-sharp lawyer Anna Forbes in the 1990s BBC hit, now works as a therapist in Glasgow. Speaking about her career change, she says: 'A lot happened in my 50s.'
Nardini’s character in This Life epitomised the work-hard, play-hard attitudes of the era and has been credited as a prototype for Fleabag. However, the actor herself has faced significant personal challenges, including the death of her father, divorce, and a breast cancer diagnosis.
A New Path
Seven years ago, Nardini decided to retrain as a therapist. She explains that therapy had always interested her, and after experiencing her own struggles, she felt equipped to help others. 'If you’ve lived a life and you’ve been through stuff yourself, you are going to have more empathy for people who are going through similar things,' she says.
Nardini qualified as a therapist in 2024, after a training period that was delayed by the death of her mother and aunt. She now works from a consulting room in Glasgow’s West End, where she sees clients, many of whom are women in midlife.
Coping with Cancer
In her 50s, Nardini was diagnosed with breast cancer, which had spread to one lymph node. She underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. 'I felt that it had happened because my heart was broken,' she recalls. 'I knew quite quickly that it wasn’t going to kill me, but once it was dealt with physically, I still needed to process it emotionally.'
The experience changed her relationship with her body. 'As a woman, to lose your breast is a very profound thing. The way I’d previously been recognised by the public, it was very sexualised. Then suddenly to lose that part of yourself is very challenging. It changes your relationship with yourself, but not in a negative way.'
Life After This Life
Nardini’s role in This Life launched her career, but she found it difficult to shake off the character. 'Casting directors kept asking: ‘Can you do her again, but in a different way?’' She eventually broke out by doing theatre and later won a Scottish Bafta for her role in New Town.
Despite her fame, Nardini says she did not enjoy being recognised by the public. 'I’d be out with my mum and someone would come barging up and ignore her, just focusing on me. I found that disconcerting.'
Now, at 60, Nardini is single and content. 'Right now, I’m glad that I don’t have a partner, but it has taken a long time to get to this point. I have a social life, a professional life, and I feel pretty content.'
She still takes on small acting roles but is focused on her therapy practice. 'Doing it all is what makes me tick. It’s been a good move for me.'
