"I've Wanted To Act Since I Was Ten!"

Acclaimed actress Suranne Jones talks to us about touching new drama Maryland, family rows, impressions and cups of tea

- SUE CRAWFORD

She's one of our most successful and popular actresses, with a string of awards to her name and the ability to pull off a variety of different roles with consummate ease.

But it's no surprise that Suranne Jones can handle anything that's thrown at her, having made her TV debut on live television at the tender age of 10. What's more, she managed to stay cool as a cucumber - despite a sudden last-minute change of plan.

Suranne had been invited to appear on popular children's TV series WAC '90. But while she was expecting to do an impression of a character from the TV comedy Bread, presenter Michaela Strachan switched her subject at the last minute to a certain former Prime Minister.

"My first TV show was with Timmy Mallett and Michaela Strachan doing an impression of Margaret Thatcher!" Suranne recalls with a laugh. "I think you can find the recording somewhere if you look hard enough!

"I had a curly perm and I was supposed to be doing Aveline from Bread and Michaela said, 'You are doing Margaret Thatcher.' It was live TV, so I did it - I'm awful!"

Thankfully, despite such a nerve-wracking start, Suranne remained undeterred. She pursued a career in acting and at 22 landed the role that was to make her name Coronation Street's feisty Karen McDonald.

Since then, she has established herself as one of British television's biggest stars with leading roles in hit series including Gentleman Jack, Vigil and Doctor Foster.

She's now back on screen in new ITV drama Maryland, in which she stars, as well as being the series' co-creator and executive producer.