‘I constantly want to prove myself’
Suranne Jones talks about reprising her much-loved detective in Vigil, the juggle of balancing her life and career – and the pressure she puts on herself...
It amassed 13 million viewers, won an Emmy and became the UK’s most-watched new TV drama. Here, Suranne Jones – who has a seven-yearold son with her director husband Laurence Akers – tells best how much she relates to her Vigil character, DCI Amy Silva. As a mum, Suranne, 45, is constantly trying to balance life and her career – and like her much-loved character, has battled anxiety...
Suranne, – what tempted you to come back for more?
Vigil
Well, the first series was so wild and brilliant, I didn’t know what the second would be like. But it is the characters and it is about our relationships. In the middle of such a big thriller – the heart of it is the two of us and I was intrigued to see where we went – the fact that one of us is having a baby. It sits so well in this huge show. The scope of the show is so big. Bigger than the last one – I thought the last one was big, but we managed to sit at the heart of it.
This must have been very different from series one, spent in a submarine!
There are a lot of younger actors... well, younger than me! On the first season I was in a submarine so this time I was like: ‘Oh wow, I am filming with pretty much everyone.’ And seeing everyone’s point of view. So many names… and trying to remember my lines. When you know nothing about these worlds – as you’re working on it, in a fictional world, you’re finding out the whole time. We were shown the real videos of drones which were mind-blowing and terrifying.
How would you say Amy develops this season?
You fall in love with a character and you wish you’d delved more – there’s stuff you want to come back to. So in the second series you fall in love with the character more. It’s great to get to know the next bit! What I found about seeing how our relationship develops (Rose Leslie plays Amy’s partner Kirsten Longacre) – they have a daughter together and a child on the way – but they are very defined by their work and their careers. They want to do everything. It brought an element of fun, but there’s a serious side about how that changes a relationship dynamic. With myself and Romola (Garai) it was finding the fun in it – who was going to be on top and how we were going to help each other.
What was it like working with Sally Wainwright (producer of
Scott & Bailey)? Sally is a power house. Her writing is so real, mucky, dirty, fun and musical. I loved Scott & Bailey. And I swore I would never play a detective or a police officer. Because of all the jargon!
You’ve just started your own production company, haven’t you...
Yes, we made Maryland and our first doc. I love it. I hope eventually to make projects that I’m not in. Have a cup of tea and chill – not that it will be very chill. But to do a bit of everything. But I am very excited about it.
You have a history of playing gay female characters, don’t you?
First you are drawn to the character, that is the first thing. Through Gentleman Jack I found a community so open and wonderful and receptive and willing to share their experiences with me I was like: ‘ Wow, this can be another part of a job’. A whole other level. Doing that and this one. I have been very welcomed as an ally and I take it very seriously.
You are used to playing powerful female roles, is there more to be done with them?
Yes, don’t take your foot off gas! We need to tell the story of the people behind the cameras. I think from when I started 25 years ago we have come a long way. But so much content is needed, there are so many places we can put our stories because the way we watch TV has changed so much these days. So I think the key is not to settle, keep finding the stories.
How was filming series two in Morocco?
In Morocco we had a great crew. My driver tried to teach me French, but I didn’t do very well. It was great to get out into the world, you are in another world – that was really fascinating. So you’re in a different head-space. And Moroccan afternoon tea – the size of the tea table was huge!
Do you share many similarities with your character, Amy?
Yeah! Being a woman who constantly wants to prove herself. And feels the responsibility of many people – we were out filming with crews who are doing lots for us. I think Amy and I both share that. I have a child, I share that. I am constantly trying to balance life and career. I’ve had issues with anxiety, which Amy has had. There is lots that I can relate to. That’s the beauty of this job, and finding characters you can go back to.
● Vigil continues Sundays, at 9pm on BBC One.
‘The writing is real - mucky, dirty, fun...’