‘I hope I'm not like Belle!'

Victoria Hamilton on the challenges of reprising her Doctor Foster role

- REBECCA MAHONEY

LIFE

TUESDAY / BBC1 / 9PM / EP 3 of 6 / DRAMA

When TV Times meets Victoria Hamilton on the set of BBC1 drama Life in October 2019, we’re unsure whether to curtsy or simply say, ‘Ma’am.’

Too much? Well, the London born star is acting royalty having played the Queen Mother in Netflix hit The Crown and Queen Victoria in 2001 BBC1 drama Victoria & Albert.

However, it was on stage in 2012 play Love, Love, Love where Victoria first met writer Mike Bartlett, who would later also cast her in his smash hit BBC1 series Doctor Foster.

So enthralled by Victoria’s portrayal of Anna Baker, friend and neighbour of GP Gemma (Suranne Jones), Mike decided to bring the character back in his Manchester set saga Life.

This week, Anna – who’s now calling herself Belle – has to face up to a ghost from her past.

Here, Victoria, 49, talks about revisiting her Doctor Foster role and why she hopes she’s not like Belle…