Fiona Shaw Discusses Marriage, Aging, and Her 'Spiritual Daughter' Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Actress Fiona Shaw, 68, has spoken candidly about her marriage to professor Sonali Deraniyagala, her views on aging, and her close relationship with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, whom she affectionately calls her "spiritual daughter." The interviews offer a glimpse into the personal life of the "Killing Eve" star, who has largely kept these aspects private.

Shaw married Deraniyagala, a Cambridge-educated professor, in 2018. Their union garnered attention due to their differing life paths. Deraniyagala is a survivor of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami in Sri Lanka, an event that claimed the lives of her husband, two sons, and parents. Shaw was deeply moved by Deraniyagala's memoir, "Wave," detailing her experience, which led to their initial meeting and subsequent relationship.

"It's really good for me to be married," Shaw told Good Housekeeping UK. She described their shared life as one filled with entertaining friends, with guests frequently visiting their home. While Shaw admits she is not a proficient cook, she notes that Deraniyagala is, contributing to their home life. "My wife and I love entertaining friends. People are always passing through. We have a lot of people for dinner. I'm not a good cook, but Sonali is… It's really good for me to be married," Shaw stated.

Despite her status as a television icon, Shaw considers herself quite ordinary. "I still think of myself as a TV novice – the oldest novice you'll ever meet! My life has surpassed any expectations that I had of it, but I don't think I'm unique. If anything, I'm quite ordinary. And you know what? I've had the most fantastic life," she reflected. Shaw is embracing aging, viewing it as a new experience. "Age is age, but I'm not un-enjoying it. I feel like a young old person. I'm new to old age, so I'm enjoying the novelty of the sloping hills. Those hills might get steeper as I age."

Shaw's connection with Phoebe Waller-Bridge, the creator of "Killing Eve," where Shaw played MI6 spymaster Carolyn Martens, developed into a deep friendship. Shaw met Waller-Bridge for lunch in London and was immediately struck by her. "If I could have a spiritual daughter in my life, she's that. I'm aggrandising myself by saying that – I should be so lucky!" Shaw expressed.

Recalling their first meeting in 2020, Shaw told The Daily Express that it felt like she had "just met life." She initiated the meeting after being profoundly affected by Deraniyagala's book. Shaw explained that she was at a career peak, with her name in lights on Broadway, but felt weary. The encounter with Deraniyagala at that moment felt serendipitous. Shaw quickly realized she wanted to live with Deraniyagala, a sentiment that the economist shared. Shaw described their relationship as a "beautiful thing" that enriched her life with companionship and laughter.