Suranne Jones’s year in TV: ‘I read Vigil and said: I want to be airlifted into a submarine!’

Suranne Jones, 43, made her identify as Coronation Avenue’s Karen McDonald between 2000 and 2004. She has since established herself as one of many nation’s most recognisable actors, with roles in dramas together with Scott & Bailey, Physician Foster and Gentleman Jack, which just lately returned to BBC One.

We noticed you in Vigil in 2021 – what had been your first impressions of the submarine drama that had everybody hooked?
I learn the opening of the script, and earlier than I’d completed it, I rang my agent and mentioned: “I need to be airlifted right into a submarine!” I mentioned I wouldn’t do a cop present after Scott & Bailey, however I don’t suppose Vigil had that a lot procedural language. The solid was sensible, and what was lovely was the truth that it wasn’t nearly a same-sex relationship, it was in regards to the coming-out and coming-to-terms a part of Amy’s sexuality. It was a watercooler second, with sensible feminine characters on the coronary heart of it. I additionally did the Dominic Savage drama I Am Victoria, which was very totally different, and really pertinent to folks popping out of lockdown who had been feeling nervousness, even when they hadn’t earlier than. It was a gorgeous expertise; I really feel prefer it helped me turn out to be my genuine self within the public eye somewhat bit extra. I used to be like: “Everybody’s figuring this shit out.”

Jones in Vigil: ‘I mentioned I wouldn’t do a cop present after Scott & Bailey, however it didn’t have that a lot procedural language’ Photograph: BBC/World Productions

What makes you cheerful?
My household and my son, who's six. Has he watched me on TV? Solely the CBeebies Bedtime Tales I’ve finished, and a little bit of Physician Who. I are likely to do a whole lot of traumatic roles, however I might like to do extra household reveals and comedies.

Have you ever ever been mistaken for anyone else?
Sarah Parish and I get stopped for each other, and Davina McCall used to get stopped for me. Generally folks say: “I actually loved you in X,” and I say: “That wasn’t me!”

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Your TV consolation watch
My good friend Sally Lindsay does Posh Sleepover for Channel 5, which is enjoyable – it’s simply her trying round large homes and asking how a lot every part is.

What do you eat in entrance of the TV?
Often a cup of tea and a few biscuits. I could have somewhat Baileys too – even when it’s not Christmas.

The Virgin Media Bafta TV awards are on BBC One on Sunday 8 Might at 6pm. Vigil is out there on BBC iPlayer; I Am Victoria is on All 4; and Gentleman Jack is on BBC One and iPlayer