Meryl Streep unveils The Iron Lady billboard poster

[brightcove]1274860262001[/brightcove]

If you were strolling by the Houses of Parliament today, you might have happened to see Hollywood icon Meryl Streep unveiling the billboard of her new film, The Iron Lady .

This being the much-anticipated biopic of Margaret Thatcher, Streep was quick to comment on her experience. She said, “It took a lot out of me, but it was a privilege to play her”.

The two-time Oscar winner went on to say “It was one of those rare films, where I was grateful to be an actor and grateful for the privilege of being able to look at a life deeply with empathy”.

Check out our exclusive video above.

Directed by Mamma Mia! ’s Phyllida Lloyd, the film has already divided audiences over whether an American actress should portray such an iconic British figure.

Streep is hotly tipped for an Oscar nomination for the role, which will rack her total up to an astounding 15.

The Iron Lady graces our screens on 6 January 2012.

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.