Staunton Thrilled By Oscar Nod

Imelda Staunton is one of film's premiere character actresses, best known to Amercian audiences for playing Gwyneth Paltrow's nurse in the Oscar winning "Shakespeare in Love."

Now she is a first-time Academy Award nominee for Best Actress for her riveting portrayal of the title character in "Vera Drake."

After hearing the good news, the British actress told The Early Show co-anchor Hannah Storm she is "a bit over-excited, but being English, I play it down a bit."

The recognition comes after a career that has lasted almost three decades.

"It's funny, coming here today, I passed my drama school and, you know, to think: From drama school to here, it's only taken me -- 30 years. That's not bad," Staunton chuckled. "I keep thinking I can handle it. It's going to be a bit mad today.

"I am so excited, and I'm more excited to the fact that Mike Leigh has been nominated in two categories (Directing and Writing Original Screenplay). I think it speaks volumes for him as a director and the work."

Other directing nominees include Clint Eastwood for "Million Dollar Baby" and Martin Scorsese for "The Aviator."

Staunton credits Leigh for the plethora of accolades she has received for her performance in "Vera Drake." This is her first collaboration with the director.

"Mike Leigh does let his actors shine in his work. They're always out front," Staunton says. "But not in a million years did I ever think this would happen at all."

In the film, Staunton plays a saintly housekeeper in 1950s Britain who performs illegal abortions on the side. And it tells how her decision affects her life and those around her.

"I think it conjures up that period, beautifully and I think it conjures up a world where things were never said," Staunton says in explaining the plot of the film. "Things are not spoken about, no emotions, and not a lot of practical stuff, either, but also a time when people had gone through a war, and when they were glad to have survived a war, and glad there was everything. And in this particular case, there was a huge trauma, which of course brings this close-knit family into chaos."

Leigh did not use a script for the film, and actors rehearsed for about six months.

"He never uses a script," Staunton says. "Six months of research and discussion and then three months of filming. And even when we started filming, none of us knew how the film would end. So it's a pretty extraordinary experience."

Congratulating her once again, Storm said, "Good luck picking out your dress for the big night. I'm sure that will be traumatic in and of itself."

"I've got that under control, actually," Staunton responded, smiling.

List of Awards and Nominations: