Northern stars shine brighter
We have to work harder to succeed, says Anna
ANNA Friel says there is no easy way to the top for actors from the North because they lack the “connections”.
Anna, 41, from Rochdale, is up for best supporting actress at this month’s Bafta TV Awards for her role as a desperate single mum in BBC1 hit Broken.
She says: “How many female northern actresses are successful in America?
“Does it help to have a leg up? Of course it does. And connections.
“Does it feel good to know you’ve done it absolutely by yourself through sheer hard work and integrity? Yes, it does.”
Her co-star Sean Bean, 59, added: “It is true. I’ve been passionate, stuck it out and believed in myself, and that’s it.”
Sheffield-born Sean was also a producer on Broken, which highlighted problems such as poverty, gambling, under-funded mental health care and police corruption. He says: “I felt it dealt with very upsetting subjects without apology. I’m glad that we did that and didn’t pull any punches.”
We were big fans of Broken so were sad when Sean ruled out a second series, saying: “I feel like I’ve gone as far as I can with this role.”
He is many critics’ favourite to win the leading actor Bafta on May 13, for his role as Father Michael Kerrigan.
Anna says: “There were so many people saying if Sean doesn’t get the actor nomination then there’s something wrong, and I completely agree.”