The obesity crisis? That’s a casting opportunity for me

thinking, ‘Oh that is really similar.’” It’s hard to believe now, but Joanna gave up on acting altogether for a while after suffering multiple rejections for roles in her 20s.

Thankfully she gave it another crack and, aged 34, finally landed a part in Peak Practice.

But her best work so far has come in her 40s and 50s, finding fame as Terri Coverley in politics tics satire The Thick Of It and Det Insp Vivienne ne Deering in police drama No Offence.

She said: “I’ve been lucky. As I’ve grown in my career, the industry has been changing simultaneously. What is happening now is women are writing those stories more. Women are creating those stories.

“I’m lucky to be riding the crest of a very y brilliant wave of female characterisations.”

Joanna is also proud to represent bigger ger women on screen. She said: “Yes, that is the real eal world isn’t it? We’re supposedly in this obesity crisis, well that’s a casting opportunity for me.

“I do believe in living well and healthily but I also believe this is the real world and these issues of sexuality and body positivity are very current and I’m right in the epicentre of that. I’m really glad to be me.” Joanna previously revealed she piled on weight at Cambridge University in the 1980s to avoid the “sexually aggressive” atmosphere, saying “my extra padding prevented me from being an obvious target”.

Almost 40 years later, Joanna fears male attitudes haven’t changed much.

She said: “I think that’s still an issue. There is a sense in which there’s almost a backlash around basic respect which can be very tough.

“When I talk to my young god-daughters and nieces I’m always very keen to impress upon them to have self-respect and look after themselves. They have a right to their own sexuality

and it’s important they cherish who they

are women. “From that I believe t he men around them may be more likely to respect them. If you respect yourself first then people around you can respect you.”

While at Cambridge she joined the Footlights drama club – a legendary crucible of comedy and acting talent – and became friends with Tilda Swinton. After they graduated Tilda’s career took off quickly but Joanna struggled.

In 2014 she said of those days: “It felt like I was trying to join in a party that I wasn’t really invited to.” Now Joanna’s success has ensured a host of producers want her at the party.

The Accident continues on Channel 4 on Thursday at 9pm.

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