‘My Daughter And I Love Going On Adventures!'

The actress tells us about her new priorities, and how she feels about her child following in her footsteps

- Gerry Gilbert

Rochdale-born actress Anna Friel sprang to fame at the age of 16 playing teenage lesbian Beth Jordache in Brookside, before establishing herself on the big screen with movies such as The Land Girls and Rogue Trader. Anna, 41, has a daughter, 12-year-old Grace, from her former relationship with Harry Potter actor David Thewlis, and currently lives in Windsor, Berkshire. She talks to us about the new series of ITV crime drama Marcella, and how she juggles being a busy actor and a single mum.

‘Marcella was the first time I’ve worked in London for a few years and I have completely fallen in love again with our city.

I say ‘our’ city, but I’ve been here since I was 18. It’s great to come back and make a film set in London. For research, I was partnered with a female detective and my big question to her was, “Do you use your womanliness to your advantage in being a detective? Or do you find it gets in the way?” And she said, “I would just be exactly as I am.”’