Political activist, feminist, staunchly independent three-time divorcee, and one-time Excessive Machine-busting doe-eyed space vixen – Jane Fonda makes it easy to introduce an article. Continuing is a touch more difficult, however, as ArtsWom feel that we shouldn’t simply dwell on the 70-year-old’s appearance in the campy cult classic of the 60s, Barbarella. Since the classic film’s opening zero-gravity undressing scene, Fonda has won awards, inspired a fitness craze, and led protests against both the Vietnam War and Iraq War. Despite this, the ArtsWom team are having a difficult time thinking of Ms. Fonda without being reminded of silver hotpants hugging tightly around those long, lithe legs – and that includes the feminine section of the ArtsWom conglomerate.

It is fortunate then, that tonight’s episode of Inside the Actor’s Studio on Sky Arts features the actress. We hope that, with the aid of James Lipton’s friendly inquisition, we will learn to see Fonda as more than just a fantasy of our misspent youth.

Inside the Actors Studio: Jane Fonda, showing tonight on Sky Arts channel 267 on Thursday 10 January 9:00pm to 9:50pm - for more details on forthcoming episodes, visit this link to the Sky Arts website.