10 Questions for Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie found fame playing Hayley Cropper in ITV’s Coronation Street for 15 years. Since leaving she hasn’t stopped working, but it’s her latest role that has really brought her praise. Julie plays rape victim Trish Winterman in the final series of Broadchurch, released on DVD this week along with the complete series 1-3.

YOU DON’T TAKE ON THE EASY PARTS, DO YOU?

I know. I guess in my bleeding heart, liberal way I hope to contribute to society’s conversation, whether it’s respect for transgender people like Hayley or for those who have been raped.

DID YOU AUDITION FOR THE BROADCHURCH ROLE?

No, that was offered to me. Just as well, as I’ve done lots of auditions in the past year for smaller roles and not got any of them (laughs).

WAS IT DEPRESSING PLAYING THE VICTIM?

Despite the subject matter Olivia Colman, David Tennant and the others make Broadchurch fun. My first day on set was solemn though, a bit like Hayley’s death scene in Corrie. That was almost religious.

SO HOW DID YOU FEEL MEETING THE CAST?

Nerve-racking. At the first read through, I wondered whether they’d pull me aside and say: “Sorry, we’ve made a mistake.”

WHAT’S ON YOUR ACTING WISH LIST?

I want to do an out-and-out comedy. I love Fleabag and Catastrophe. And I never miss Car Share. Sian Gibson is great. She’s a comedy hero of mine.

EVER THINK ACTING IS A DAFT WAY TO MAKE A LIVING?

Well, I guess it is a bit bonkers. Exposing yourself, digging in to your emotions, being coddled and fussed over as if you’re special when you’re not. You do sometimes have to get over yourself.

YOU ALSO DO RADIO DRAMA. WHY?

Well there are no lines to learn for a start, and it’s fun. One producer records all her dramas in her house. So we might be in her daughter’s bedroom pretending it’s a quiet restaurant, or in her car. Never boring.

ARE YOU HAPPIEST AS A BLONDE OR BRUNETTE?

I shaved my hair off last year to play a character with cancer, which is why it’s so short and dark in Broadchurch. But I’ve just gone back to being blonde. I feel I’m more me like

that.

ANY PERSON YOU’D LIKE TO PORTRAY?

Someone put a photo of me on Twitter last week saying: “I can imagine her playing Victoria Wood.” Great idea, but I can’t play piano.

YOU HAVE 24 HOURS LEFT TO LIVE. HOW DO YOU SPEND IT?

My husband and I holiday in west Wales at a hotel on a cliff-top where we got married. I’d go with the family, get someone to play some Joni Mitchell, and I’d watch the

sunset with one last pint of real ale.