My look’s a mixture of Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks. I fell in love
Haunted becomes the haunter as Doctor Who star
The ghosts of Christmas past lingered over actress Neve Mcintosh in her haunting new role.
The Doctor Who and Shetland star plays a spirit inhabiting an old house in primetime festive drama, Susan Hill’s Ghost Story.
And the 47-year-old, who played Madame Vastra in Doctor Who, had her own spooky encounter to draw on when filming.
“I’ve had experiences that make me think there’s so much more out there,” said Neve, who also starred in Bodies, Lip Service and Cheat.
“When I was a kid, there was a lady who used to come and stand at my bedroom door after we moved from Paisley to a big flat in Edinburgh.
“The flat had been in the family for a few generations, and my room was where my grandfather was born.
“At first, I thought this figure was my mum watching over me until I went to sleep, so I said to her one day that she didn’t need to do that, because I was fine in the new house.
“She later told me she was about to say she hadn’t, but stopped herself because she didn’t want to freak me out.
“It wasn’t something that scared me. My mum felt a vibe around the house as well, and I think it was just the spirits of our family welcoming us. There was nothing malevolent about it – they were just looking out for me.
“I don’t think everyone can feel it but, for me, there’s definitely something there.”
In Susan Hill’s Ghost Story, to be shown on Channel 5, Neve’s character Denisa and her son, who is also a ghost, haunt the new owner of their old house; played by Neve’s long-time friend, Douglas Henshall.
“We worked on a series of Shetland together and I did Psychos, my first big telly job, with him,” she continued. “I also did a couple of Sea Of Souls episodes, where he was haunting my house, so now I’m getting my own back, which was quite fun!
“Dougie and I try to keep in touch, and whenever we meet it feels like no time has passed.
“This acting lark makes it hard to meet up with people. But around this time of year is good, because I always make sure to head home and try to catch up with everyone in the pub.”
Although based in London for a number of years, Neve comes home often to visit her mum, her brother and his family. She also hopes to be back more frequently for work.
“It’s great there are more productions being made in Scotland now,” she said.
“I’m in (current Alibi series) Traces, which is set in Dundee, but most of it was filmed in Manchester so I didn’t have the chance to come back to Scotland for that one.”
Although Neve says she’s been
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– Actress Neve Mcintosh