Hattie’s delight at mother of all parts

IF it’s 9pm on a Sunday, it must be period drama time.

Victoria was followed by Tutankhamun on ITV and now BBC1 are keeping their viewers in the past after Poldark’s gripping finale last week.

My Mother And Other Strangers is a new five-part rural drama set in Northern Ireland during the Second World War.

It tracks the fortunes of the Coyne family and their neighbours after a huge US airfield is built and its 4000 personnel arrive in their previously-sleepy backyard.

It was created by Barry Devlin who has much-loved Ballykissangel, as well as The Darling Buds Of May, to his name.

Many of the tales are based on events of the time and Hattie Morahan, who plays the matriarch Rose Coyne, says she was hooked from the start.

“I was fascinated by these characters, her family and all the people in the village,” admits Hattie, known for series as varied as Outnumbered and The Bletchley Circle.

“It felt like we were seeing a little slither of a real life lived elsewhere.

“I found the story moving and beautiful and the more I learnt about who was involved, I was more and more excited to be a part of it.”

And although it’s set more than 70 years ago, Hattie reckons viewers won’t find it alien.

“It may seem that their priorities are very different from our lives now,” adds Hattie.

“But then, as you get to know it, you realise that there are some very universal themes.

“There is a lovely mixture of comedy, observations on awkwardness in family life, disagreements and tensions but also quite a dark heart to it. “I hope audiences fall in love with the characters as much as I have.”

n My Mother And Other Strangers, BBC1. Sunday 9pm.