The star of the political thriller reveals five secrets from the set

1

My character is Home Secretary Julia Montague and the prop I disliked most was the red box in which she keeps official documents. Somebody decided our version should be made of solid wood. I groaned as I picked it up and I swear my biceps grew bigger!

2

Julia has a close relationship with her bodyguard

David so it was important to get to know Richard Madden, who plays him. I’d forgotten we’d already acted together in the movie Complicity, from 2000, so we had a giggle about that. Richard was 13 when he made that film. I was… older!

3

We filmed a speech in London where Julia was prevented from talking by protesters at the same time as a real student protest prevented me from acting! Luckily they agreed to keep the noise down.

4

On location, I realised if Julia was having a good

day, the public recognised me as fresh-faced Zoe Reynolds in Spooks 14 years ago. On a bad day it would be as Lindsay Denton in Line Of Duty two years ago.

5

Julia usually keeps a lid on her emotions – but I don’t. We filmed a scene where I had to go down stairs, shaking hands with people. For some reason, Richard found this hilarious, and couldn’t stop laughing. After a while, nor could I!

Keeley as Julia, with Richard Madden as David