Grief Encounter

The Fall’s Denise gough and Victoria star Tom Hughes on their new revenge thriller about the deadly fallout from a one-night liaison

- Hannah Davies & Rebecca MaHoney

It’s already been a great year for thrillers, with both The Replacement and Line of Duty attracting huge ratings. And now viewers are in for another thrill ride with Paula, BBC2’s haunting new three-parter, starring Denise Gough and Victoria’s Tom Hughes.

Denise plays chemistry teacher Paula, who is desperately trying to end an affair with married PE teacher Philip (Edward MacLiam).

When Paula needs to get rid of rats in her basement, in walks local handyman James (Tom Hughes). The attraction between them is instant and they have a passionate one-night stand. But, unknown to Paula, James is a violent man and when their two worlds collide it sets off a deadly chain of events.

Here Tom, 31, and Denise, 37, tell us more…

Hi Denise and Tom, tell us about Paula and James…

Denise: Paula doesn’t feel very connected to the world. She says she doesn’t have any real feelings and I think she uses men to give her a shot in the arm and feel alive. She’s also unapologetic, so she feels no guilt about her affair with Philip.