‘My first day filming I was looking at dolphins in the bay’

This brand-new crime drama sees high-flying cop Grace Narayan (Anjli Mohindra) side-lined to the small rural island of St Jory. There, she is tasked with the forgotten case of missing teenager Cai, while also learning of the island’s cultish religion, the True Way. She soon realises top-dog on St Jory is local gentry Lady Heather Nancarrow, played by Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh. Will Lady Heather be friend or foe? Adjoa tells us more…

Hi Adjoa. Tell us about your character… What I really love about Heather is she knows everyone. Our story is set on a tiny island off the coast of

Wales which is presided over by the Nancarrow family. It’s a small town and a small island, so there’s a specific mentality there. Heather has to keep the tourism coming in and keep everybody happy. She rules over everything.

How did the island end up with its own religion? Heather’s grandfather, who had all sorts going on with his health, had delusions about religion and making the islanders follow the beliefs he wanted – it’s called the True Way. It’s a sort of Norse/ Viking-type mythology. Now it’s become a bit of entertainment for the tourists – or so we’re led to believe…

Although it’s set in Wales, you actually filmed in the north-east of England. How was that? All the locations are adsolutely stunning. I was at the harbour in Craster on my first day, and I was looking at dolphins just out in the bay, it was amazing! I’ve also got a birdsong app – yes, I’ve turned into that person – and I don’t think I’ve ever had so many hits in just one area. Big up the north-east! I love being in a story that’s set in nature, because that’s the environment I grew up with and I never get to do those gigs.

How did you enjoy working with Anjli Mohindra, who plays Grace? I hadn’t worked with Anjli before, but she is fantastic, and I’ve worked with her other half, Sacha Dhawan, on Line of Duty.

What do you think people will get from the show? I think they can expect to be wrong-footed a lot. They can expect to be moved by different people’s circumstances. I hope they will have a scare at various moments! It’s a visual feast with lots of laughs, jeopardy and I hope a good break-neck thrilling conclusion!

● The Red King starts on Wednesday 24 April at 9pm on Albi. Catch-up on UKTV Play.