‘Life’ s got in the way of relationships’

Scottish actress Ashley Jensen, 48, found fame in Ricky Gervais’s Extras, before moving to America to star in Ugly Betty. She is married to actor and writer Terence Beesley, and they live in Bath with their young son.

Tell us about your character in this new drama series…

We see Kate in her kitchen with her family. She has a son from a previous relationship, a daughter with Rob, her detective sergeant partner, played by Adrian Bower, and a stepson, who is Rob’s son. Kate is doing what a lot of women do in this world now. She’s trying to juggle family life and be a good mum and a good partner as well as going to work.

Is she serious about her job?

She is very passionate about it. She’s been given a promotion – which is a validation of her being damn good at it – and she’s utterly delighted about that.

And how are things for Kate on the home front?

Kate and Rob do, deep down, love each other, but they’re not finding a lot of time for each other at the moment, with children pulling them in different directions. Basically, life has just got in the way of the relationship a bit.

Do you think people will relate to the characters?

Definitely, because they are very human. They have vulnerability, they have frailty and foibles, they get it wrong. There is no person you’ll point at and say, “They’re the baddie.”

Did you research the role?

We all went to Leeds Town Hall and met some wonderful

people who showed us what they did and the environment they worked in. You have to be a people person to work there, as you’re dealing with people at their most vulnerable.

Is there one scene that especially stands out for you?

The hospice wedding in the first episode. It was difficult not to cry, because it was so moving.

Did you always want to act?

I did, from an early age, although I briefly dabbled with the idea of being a vet until I realised you had to stick your hand up a cow’s backside!

Love, Lies And Records is on BBC One, Thursday, 9pm