The Inbetweeners actress Belinda Stewart-Wilson has reminisced about her time on the series and revealed she still receives “odd [and] graphic” messages from fans.
The hit E4 sitcom followed briefcase-sporting Will Mackenzie (Simon Bird) as he is moved from private education to a state school following his parent’s divorce, where he and his new socially inept friends struggle with the trials and tribulations of teenage life. Belinda played Will’s mum, the "infamous" Polly Mackenzie, who became a favourite amongst many of the show’s male fans – and characters.
The series ran for three years between 2008 and 2010 and spawned two movies following its final episode. Despite its finale airing almost 12 years ago, Belinda has revealed she still gets a lot of attention thanks to her role in series.
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Speaking to the Daily Star, she said: "I've had some odd messages and suggestions over the years, some of which are so graphic I can't repeat them. But you have to take it with a pinch of salt - it's still nice to be loved.
"I still get shouted at in the street and it's great just being Will's mum, forever in the hearts of the nation."
Despite the popularity of The Inbetweeners, Belinda revealed her own 16-year-old son, Jackson, has avoided watching any of the series. She said: "My son was really small when I did it and I thought 'oh he's not going to know anything about it'.
“Now he gets teased at school. He swears he'll never watch it.
“I think he's chosen to avoid it because maybe he's heard comments about me.
Belinda went on to say she is happy to accept her title as ‘TV’s fittest mum’, saying: “Well it's quite good fun isn't it, it means that my work has gone well if people are talking about a part that I've played.
"I never saw it coming, to be one of TV's fittest mums, it's a weird combination of things but I'm happy to accept the crown."
She also admitted the popularity of the show – and her character – was something of a surprise, and she had “absolutely no idea” where it would lead. She added: "I think Polly became infamous because of the way the boys talked about her.
“Her screen-time wasn't enormous but I was lucky she got talked about a lot, though in some quite extreme ways."
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