Interview with Suzanne Lloyd

Suzanne Lloyd was born, raised and educated in Toronto. While living in England, she worked with Roger Moore in six episodes of "The Saint". She kindly accepted to answer some questions for Sir Roger Official Website.

Suzanne Lloyd and Roger Moore in "The Man Who Liked Lions"

When did you meet Roger Moore for the very first time ? Was in on the set of “Maverick” ?

I was not introduced to Roger but we would see each other from time to time on the lot at Warner Brothers. He was working for a serie called “The Alaskans” when I first saw him and I was doing one of the many series they had there at that time. They had bleached his hair very blonde and he had tan make-up on his face. After all these years I remember thinking he was the most beautiful man I had ever seen. He was surrounded by women from the front office.

How did it come you were involved in “The Saint” ? Did you know you were about to co-star Roger Moore before you migrated to United Kingdom in the early 60 ?

I worked on “The Saint” before I moved to London. I lived in München and called Roger when on a trip to London. I told him I wanted to work and he set up a meeting with his producer for me. He said he could not guarantee me a job but he could guarantee the interview. The producer had seen my work on TV in London and I was hired. Much to my amazement I must admit. I did not speak to Roger again until I came to work at Elstree.

Did you know, when you played in “Luella”, that you’ll co-star Roger Moore in five other episodes of “The Saint” ?

I had no idea I would be called back to do so many episodes of the show. I believe I played Americans three times.

In “Luella”, Sue Lloyd who played the part of Luella was your pseudo-doppelganger ...

Neither Sue or myself knew of the other’s existance. Suzanne Lloyd is her given name as it is mine. She changed her first name to “Sue”; so she could work through sag in the States.

Staying on “Luella” and knowing Roger Moore and David Hedison were good friends, what was the atmosphere on the set ?

I did not know at that time Roger and David were good friends. I had given birth three months before doing “Luella” and it was my first show after that. So I was a bit excited. The mood was always the same on all shows. Relaxed, focused, professional with a good mix of laughter.

Could you tell me some great anecdotes from Elstree ?

Tea at 11 and 4, no matter what was going on the set. And they called “Miss Lloyd” and asked “Please will you”. That was a change from the way they do things in the States.

“Simon And Delilah” was a really funny episode. Could you tell me more about your role as the fiery and tyrannical Serena ?

I was not comfortable in that role. I had trouble with it. I felt I was over the top. And watching it today, I was.

Could you tell me more about your role in “The Man who Liked Lions” and especially the famous fight between Roger Moore and Peter Wyngarde ?

Fighting puts me on edge. I do not remember the levity. The plot was very serious. My father had been assassinated and I was in great danger trying to find who did it. The character trusts only one man and he is murdered in the opening five minutes of the show. So I was very serious most of the time. I am delighted to hear the others were not as serious as I was.

What is the favourite episode you played in and why ?

I like the episode where I am an American Broadway star, friend of Simon’s and I had to become an Irish waitress to help Simon find the villain. I loved doing the Irish dialect. Stanley Holloway’s son, Julian, helped me learnt it.

According to many people, working with Roger Moore was always a true pleasure. What makes working with him so special in your opinion ?

Roger is a professional. He shows up on time, knows his lines and helps anyone who needs it. He does not play the star. He is part of the team. The lead and director set the tone on the set. Roger made it a pleasure to be there.

Did you prefer to play in an atmospheric thriller like “The Time To Die” or in a light episode like “Simon and Delilah” ?

The more dramatic a show was the more I liked it. I have changed and for me now it is 50-50.

What is your best souvenir from filming “The Saint” ?

One of my best memories of that time is sitting in the dining room at Elstree with Roger over lunch and listening him tell me stories of filming in Italy. I have never laughed that hard. You must get him to tell you the stories, you will not believe what they put him through.

Oh, let me add this: Roger does not wrinkle. He looks the same at 6 pm as he does at 8 am. He always looks as if he just stepped out of the shower, and dressed. His pants did not wrinkle. It fascinated me at the time. The rest of us would wilt during the day of shooting but not Roger. He was always perfectly groomed.

Also Roger has good disposition. My experience of him was that he is even tempered which is rare in an actor. He is kind and a true gentleman. I would like you to know he is an excellent raconteur. He could tell a very good story and believe me you are glued to him until the finish and usually there was a big laugh at the end. I don’t think his devilish sense of humor was ever captured on film but as I have not seen everything Roger has done, sorry, I could be mistaken.

Interview: Marie-France Vienne

Link: Suzanne Lloyd Website