“And then you go out into the bush and there you are with this wild country and the animals.

Through Hodges – the driver I had again this time – I’ve visited Soweto to meet his family and friends and talked to them about what life was like during apartheid times. These are countries going through their birth pangs. It was in 1980, there were rumblings of discontent. It’s been a real learning experience for me.”įormer child star Hayley had previously filmed the ITV drama series The Flame Trees of Thika in Kenya. “One can only hope and pray fervidly that they hang on to what they know is right. It’s still not perfect, everybody knows that. It’s wonderful and inspiring and they have come a long way, and by and large they are living and working together very successfully. “There is a tremendous pride in the country at what they have achieved – black and white. “Living in Africa and seeing the country, driving and walking through Soweto and the townships, the poverty is dreadful, and yet people have a resilience, a warmth and a humour, and a determination to make the most of their lives. Usually based in New York and London, Hayley adds: “Everybody is affected by Africa, by the impact of that continent. All the cast and crew were very welcoming.” It was great fun to work with my sister, and I stayed with Juliet and her daughter Melissa. Talking about her screen double act with Juliet, she recalls: “It was very exciting. “That’s why I’m always keen to get my family out there – and if possible get them in a show,” she laughs. Everyone is going through the same homesickness and the problems of being alone. “It draws everyone closer, you all depend upon each other so much. Hayley points out that every cast and crew member is away from home when they work at the Glen Afric site. Their cousin Susie Blake appeared in the last series, filmed on location in South Africa, as Hayley’s fictitious sister.

Strange as it may seem, Wild At Heart (ITV1, Sunday, 8.15pm) sees the two real life sisters acting together for the first time ever on camera. Now the ten-part series comes to a close with a climactic reunion between Caroline and the residents – human and animal – of Leopard’s Den. Her elder sister Juliet joined the cast of the hit drama this year as Georgina, while her screen sister Caroline, played by Hayley, remained in the UK. WILD At Heart star Hayley Mills returns to the screen this weekend for a real family reunion.

The cast of wild at heart