Streep 'in love with Firth and Brosnan'

Oscar-winning actress Meryl Streep says she was in love with co-stars Colin Firth and Pierce Brosnan during the making of her latest movie Mamma Mia! The film is based on the stage version of the show which has been a hit around the world. It's also a bit of a departure for Streep who is usually to be found in more serious roles. Newsbeat caught up with the actress to find out what it was like.

Streep works the red carpet for the world premiere of Mamma Mia! in London

Who do you think is the worst singer, Colin Firth or Pierce Brosnan?

I'm heartbroken that you think they're bad singers! I was in love with both of them. I thought Pierce sounded like a cross between Joe Cocker and Tom Waits. I thought he sounded rough and fabulous.

Were you a fan of Abba before you did the film?

Oh yeah. We played the music in drama school. We always played it in jazz classes and dance classes because it was the only thing that would get people up and moving when they'd had a late night at the theatre.

Pierce Brosnan shares a moment with Streep in Berlin

I listened to it for years afterwards because it sort of permeated the consciousness. There was a point where it was in elevators and supermarkets. It was everywhere through the 80s.

See how Meryl Streep did in our Abba lyrics quiz

In 2001, I saw the show and I had not been aware of anything but the dance music. I didn't know about the ballads and the beautiful tender music that's in the show, so that was a re-discovery. This is closest I'll ever get to being part of Abba!

Are you a fan of musicals?

I'm a big, big fan and always have been. My mother used to pull me out of school and say, 'Come on, let's go to the theatre'. And we would go off to a matinee.

Is it nice to throw off the serious side of Meryl Streep people are so used to seeing in movies?

I don't know if I'm throwing off anything as much as having a wonderful time with a great character and trying to do it as well as I can for all those gals who have played it. There are like 400-500 Donnas around the world and I think three million people have seen the musical and almost that number of people have been in it probably! I'm thrilled for the opportunity, really glad I got the job.

Meryl Streep was talking to Newsbeat's entertainment reporter Natalie Jamieson.

Mamma Mia! is in cinemas from 10 July.