It was a nude clinch in a film with Marlon Brando that first brought her into the spotlight. Then TV audiences took her to their hearts in Tenko. Now Stephanie Beacham is starring in a new drama series to be screened next month. Here she tells Suzanne Thomas all about her new young love, her views on men, and how a brush with death has changed her life.

Right now there is a lot on Stephanie Beacham's mind. At this moment, it's Chloe, her daughter, who needs a new leotard for her ballet classes as only a seven-year-old can. And with Chloe's gentle and charming persuasion her mother finally understands the true gravity of the situation.

Then, of course, there's Connie, a new Central TV drama beginning next month, which has been dubbed the "Dynasty of the Midlands". Stephanie Beacham plays the ruthless and bitchy fashion boss in the title role. It's a good, strong part and a spectacular change from her last TV appearance as upper crust Rose in Tenko.

Connie is a flawed person, says Stephanie. "Aren't we all, really? She's a princess of the streets and a rat. She can stoop as low as anyone possibly can. And I love playing that sort of person.

"I mean, I think I know who I am and I'm a very nice person... and an old cow bag," she adds bluntly. "But I think it's fascinating to pull out the nasties."

Also on her mind is a recent house move to Hampstead and the education and upbringing of her two daughters, Chloe, 8, and 10-year-old Phoebe. And another, somewhat more difficult poser of life and death. For Stephanie Beacham believes she has experienced both. At 36, stunning, she sits in her kitchen dressed from her sweatshirt to her sneakers in palest blue. She is given to long pauses between her words and attaches a steady thoughtfulness to each one. She tells, with simple honesty, of an event which has changed her life.

"I was ridiculously ill last summer," she says. "I'll tell you, I nearly actually died. And..." she pauses for some moments before continuing slowly, "I passed over. I passed through. And if I genuinely believe that that's what I did, then I have to accept that I have seen there is an after-life.

"I saw a huge light... I'm afraid I even saw cloaked figures leading me," she says. "I was being led by someone whose face was human but my attention was focused towards the brightest light I have ever known. It was completely unfrightening, inviting, and I was going.

"The only thing that suddenly came in close-up was a picture of my daughter Chloe's eyes. A really deep close-up. And I welled backwards. It was like replaying a film and I thought, 'I'm not going... I'm not going... I'm not going...

"I regained enough understanding to realise I should be back in the hospital. I came sinking back into my body and was able to press the emergency bell. I was operated on within a very short time."

Understandably, the telling of this story is not easy. But the impact of that experience has equally understandably, changed her outlook. "It's fascinating," she says, "because it happened. It wasn't a dream. There are some things you know and I know," she says firmly. "The repeating of the words on my lips may lessen the story but the truth of what I went through is undoubted.

"And it opens up a whole load of things, all of which have to be answered. Last night I was deep in my Bible because I've got a huge poser on the whole of my spiritual life."

That momentous event however, has been the mark of a new beginning.

Her career really started in 1974 with a starring role and a nude clinch - opposite Marlon Brando in The Nightcomers. "I had it on a plate," she says. "People really wanted me to be a star. I didn't want to do it. I thought it was very superficial and I wanted to be an actress. "

She married fellow actor John McEnery and had their two daughters before their marriage crumbled in the face of McEnery's reputation as something of a womaniser.

"Thank God I kept on acting," is her view now - especially as she has discovered an ambition she never knew she had. "I feel I want to find out how good I am," she says. "And I'm greedy to learn as much as I flaming well can before I lose what I've always considered my best friend - my brain. I'm greedy for all of it. Why not?"

In many ways, she is thankful for every experience, good and bad. She says: "Last summer my house was burgled, every piece of jewellery was taken and most of my decent ornaments. I had a total break of heart in a relationship - he wasn't English and he was pulled off by his family. And then I nearly died. Now I call that a clean-out myself," she says laughing. "But I'm grateful for the fresh start.

"Everything has been revalued. I've got quite lyrical over the sound of children's voices and sunshine and flowers. You try nearly dying - it's dead good for you," she adds with a mischievous smile.

"I think I'm exactly on target for the moment. I have a very uncomplicated life now. I have no deep misery in me - my husband is a dear friend, in and out of the house, and he's just great. The kids are straight and on course. You couldn't ask for a better part than I'm playing. And I've got a lovely boyfriend..."

Her boyfriend is a 27-year-old actor. "He's smashing and I'm lucky to have someone as kind as he is. I like to have my fella," she says. "That does not mean I want to have his shirts and underpants in my washing machine. Or him lounging around the house when he doesn't feel like shaving. I'm quite a female chauvinist pig about that. I'll put my lipstick on, clean my teeth and say to my man, please wear a collar and tie and have a shave, too, while you're about it.

I don't want a live-in; no way. I won't go into details but I think I've tried most combinations," she said with a gentle smile. "Priorities now are the children, my career and calm. The three Cs.

"If it weren't for my daughters, maybe my boyfriend and I would be living together now. But you can't screw kids up like that - it's not on."

The difference in their ages is of no major concern. She laughs and says "I'm afraid I've hardly gone out with anybody over 30 for the last six or seven years... I don't know where they're all hiding."

Certainly the term "toy-boy", generally associated with an effort to hang on to youth, is totally inappropriate here. She is slim, utterly elegant and composed. Her voice, is deep and calm as she enunciates each word with the precision of an elocution teacher.

"In some ways, though, the age-gap worries me," she says. "I've lived a hell of a lot, and, inevitably, I've learned from it. On the other hand, another person has another set of values and another wisdom, so they counterbalance."

Her views on marriage are straightforward and cynical. "I don't think we have it right in the West," she says. "I almost believe in arranged marriages. I think here we are brought up on some strange combination of Walt Disney and dumb-thinking that causes us to feel that when we get that stirring in our loins for someone, it's going to keep us with them for the rest of our lives. It's dumb. I believe in fidelity. I see no point in being with someone otherwise.

"If I get married again, and I can't imagine it would be for several years," she pauses, remembering, "I'd have to get divorced first. We just never bothered. But actually, I can't see it. Between buying this house and selling the other, I've managed to put my kids' school fees away so I won't have to go into a marriage for economic reasons."

Is that how she really sees it? She nods fervently. "Yup - security," she says, obviously amazed that other people haven't always known it. "I think it's an economic contract. I don't want any more babies. My two are quite enough and I love them very much. There is a sadness in knowing that I won't have any more," she admits. "On the other hand... I won't have to stay up all night."

And anyway, she knows all she needs to know. Running down the stairs on her way out, she yells: "I'm the best mother in the world - do you know that?" She had it on the highest authority - her daughter had left a surprise taped message to tell her so.