Rachell Smith

The truth, the complexity of truth, and true stories stranger than fiction have a draw on Keeley Hawes. From light to dark, comedy to crime, it’s a theme that recurs throughout her acting career, from current TV ratings toppers The Durrells and spy thriller Traitors, to Mrs Wilson, the forthcoming Summer of Rockets and next year’s Miss World comedy drama film Misbehaviour.

“Sometimes that’s where the best stories come from. If somebody said, ‘I’m writing a fictional drama and it’s about this man who has been married to however many different fictional wives’ you’d think, hang on, you’ve probably gone too far, no-one’s gonna buy this. But when it’s the truth, you can’t argue with it and it’s just a brilliant, brilliant story.”

Hawes is talking about last year’s BBC One period miniseries Mrs Wilson, for which she’s up for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Baftas, alongside her other nomination for Best Leading Actress in Bodyguard. Mrs Wilson, a true story in which Ruth Wilson played her own grandmother, also starred Iain Glen as her bigamous, spy grandfather, in a tale you couldn’t make up.

“When I read it my jaw was hanging, but it’s all based on truth,” says Hawes. “It was extraordinary, fascinating. I wasn’t in it very much and I’ve just found out I’m up for Best Supporting Actress, which was