She’s been gone from the city a long time but Hollywood actress Roma Downey hasn’t forgotten her Derry roots. The Derry woman has sponsored an attempt to break the world record for the number of people singing and dancing to a song from the musical ‘Annie’ - due to be held in Ebrington in March as part of the City of Culture programme. She tells Erin Hutcheon why she’ll always think of her home town as the ‘City of Dreams.’
Outside her Malibu home Roma Downey has an Irish signpost leading the way to Derry. While the views of the gorgeous blue ocean and the warm sunshine might be a world away from the harsh winters of the North West, for Roma, there’s no place like home. Roma lives in Malibu with husband Mark Burnett, creator of the hit show, The Apprentice. “When it rains here I have a melancholy homesickness and a longing for Derry,” she said. “I miss Derry but I do love waking up to the sunshine every morning. I’m like Annie, the sun always comes out tomorrow for me. “But I try to get back to Derry at least once a year and see the girls that I went to Thornhill with. “I’ve been following everything that has been happening on the City of Culture website and I am excited for the city. “I am, and always will be a daughter of Derry. I’ve always tried to be a good ambassador for the city. I love Derry. I left my hometown with a dream but that dream was born in a community that supports dreams. “I still have that hint of a Derry accent despite the efforts of numerous vocal coaches. ”I even had one called the ‘Brogue Basher’, but throughout all my years on Touched
by an Angel I spoke with a Derry accent.” Unfortunately a hectic filming schedule prevented Roma from attending the ‘Sons and Daughters’ concert at ‘The Venue’ at the end of January. “It was a shame I wasn’t there,” she said. “But I was able to send a video message.” Roma’s just completed a mini series called ‘The Bible’ which will premiere on The History Channel in the US at Easter. In it, Roma takes on the role of Mother Mary. “We’ve been working on it for the last three years and it has been the most wonderful work bringing it to life,” said Roma. “It really is an epic mini series. We hired a team from London and they added a new level of effects to the scenes. In it you can see Jesus walking on water and Moses parting the Red Sea.
“Throughout the years I have been grateful for my faith. This series to me, was a great opportunity to glorify God, and remind people of how amazing the stories in the Bible are.” The show has already opened in the US and will finish on Easter Sunday with episodes featuring the crucifixion. “I am very proud of it,” said Roma. “Viewers in Derry will be able to see it, but as yet I don’t have a date for when it will be shown over there.” As part of City of Culture Roma has sponsored all the T-shirts for a world record attempt by Sandra Biddle for the largest group of people singing and dancing to a tune from Annie. Roma said Sandra, an old school friend, is a woman who “inspires dreams.”
“We also have the most amazing score. It is a beautiful series.”
“I am a great believer in giving back,” she said. “All the money raised will go to the Foyle Hospice which makes such a difference.
And it’s clear that Roma’s faith has been instrumental not only in her life but also in her work.
“I recently saw Sandra’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ video and it reminded me of how creative she is.
“I have great faith,” she said. “My faith has been important to my whole life and was a great comfort to me when my mother Maureen Reilly died when I was just 10.
“It was not only a good dose of Derry humour but reminded me of the great Derry talent that is in the city.
“My mother was my sun and my moon. She was a great ‘Feis’ mother. It was her love of the stage and shows that inspired me to become an artist. I named my daughter Reilly after her.
“I would love to be involved on the day but I am so busy I can’t be there. “At least this way I was able to take part.”
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