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CHARLOTTE SPENCER on the joys of playing a 1980s detective

- CAREN CLARK

THE GOLD 

SUNDAY, 9PM, BBC1 DRAMA

Charlotte Spencer delivered a standout performance as cold but fragile aristocrat Esther Babington in ITVI's period saga Sanditon. Now, the rising star is tackling another compelling but very different role as down-to-earth detective Nicki Jennings in BBC1's 1980s-set true-crime drama The Gold.

In episode two, airing this week, Nicki, colleague Tony Brightwell (Emun Elliott) and boss Brian Boyce (Hugh Bonneville) step up their investigation into the Brink'sMat bullion robbery after they realise they face a race against the clock to trace the remaining thieves and find the stolen gold. As the intrepid team follow a tantalising lead, they could make a crucial breakthrough.

Here, Charlotte, 31, gives us her take on the series...

It'll be 40 years in November since gold bullion worth £26 million was stolen from the Brink's-Mat security depot. Why do you think this case still captures the imagination?