Murdertown
Why former corrie favourite Katherine Kelly is presenting a new documentary series...
Katherine Kelly became a household name as Corrie’s Becky Mcdonald, and since leaving the cobbles in 2012, she has enjoyed high-profile roles in Happy Valley, The Night Manager and Mr Selfridge.
This week, however, she’s fronting 10-part documentary series
Murdertown, which looks at real-life murder cases from across the UK.
Here Katherine,
38, tells us more…
Why have you made this move from drama to presenting a documentary? The producers explained they wanted a storyteller as opposed to a presenter. So instead of this being pure voiceover narration, I’m on screen as well. It definitely doesn’t feel like a presenting role.
What is it that makes murdertown gripping viewing?
I was impressed with its integrity. It isn’t sensational in the telling because they’ve chosen 10 specific towns [from Dundee to Brighton] and really dig into the facts. Many of the cases will get under your skin. If they were in a drama no one would believe them.
This week focuses on two tragic deaths in Hull that were years apart. How are they connected? Some cases go cold, but they’re solved in the end. In this week’s Hull episode, pollen expert Pat Wiltshire solves two cases. She deserves an award for the peace she’s brought to the families.
Why do you think we are so fascinated by real crimes? To take someone’s life is unthinkable to the majority of us, so people who have it in them to do that fascinate us. In the Murdertown cases, you see there’s no formula – there’s a broad spectrum of motivations for murder.
on a lighter note, do you still keep in touch with any of your Coronation Street co-stars?
Yes! I’m currently filming the ITV drama Cheat. I play a university lecturer. Simon Gregson [Corrie’s Steve Mcdonald] left me a voice message the other day saying, ‘I’m just phoning to make sure that you’ve not got posh!’