Why I Changed My Tune

Jessie Buckley on her journey from a TV talent show singer to becoming a serious actress…

- Benji Wilson

DRAMA

The Last Post SUNDAY / BBC1 / 9.00PM

Jessie Buckley is standing on a bed in a Crimplene nightie, whimpering. We’re on the set of BBC1’s military drama The Last Post in Cape Town, and Jessie is filming a scene with Jessica Raine… and a scorpion!

The scene featured in the second episode of the drama which is set in the former British colony of Aden in 1961. It saw Jessie’s character, Honor, finding the creepy-crawly in her digs and asking new best friend Alison (Jessica) to help out.

In rehearsals, the scorpion was plastic, but for the actual take a real one has been brought in – and poor Jessie looks genuinely scared. But as soon as the scene has been shot, Jessie returns to her usual self, which means a smile – and a song.

As she sings Wonderful World, it’s a reminder of how she first found fame as a contestant on talent show I’d Do Anything in 2008. She came second in the Oliver!-themed series, but since then she’s been to RADA and grown into one of our most promising young actresses, albeit with a tendency to break into song.