Casualty star Sunetra Sarker has a cameo in Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine’s new comedy Puppy Love on BBC Four… that would be as well as making it to week 10 partnering Brendan Cole in this year’s Strictly. So with all that good fun/ hard work in hand – how does she keep going?
I have been a big fan of Joanna Scanlan for some time. I met her whilst she was doing a guest role in Casualty about five years ago and was quite star struck. I told her what a fan I was of her work with Vicki Pepperdine, especially their series Getting On, and she said she would remember me if there was ever an opportunity to work together. I never thought anything would come of it and it was just Joanna being polite, but then when Puppy Love got the go-ahead, they very kindly offered me the cameo role of the vet Lilli Kusiak. I was thrilled.
Joanna Scanlan and Sunetra Sarker film a scene with Joanna's own dog, Millie, who plays No Name
I haven't worked up north for so long, so it was lovely to film Puppy Love only a few miles from my family and old friends, and it meant that my son Noah got to spend some time with my folks. It was a real pleasure to hear the northern accents around too. The cast and crew were all very relaxed and humorous to be around.
It was too funny working with Joanna and Vicki. They are such clever, modest women, the pair of them. They are always striving for the best laugh regardless of who gets the credit. We laughed and improvised certain lines and it was the most collaborative and hilarious experience for me. Without sounding like a stalker, just to watch them repeating funny lines scene after scene was terrific. Proper belly laughs.
Writers Joanna and Vicki used local dog owners as extras 'to capture real relationships'
I'm not great with dogs! Seriously, I'm a bit scared - probably because I never grew up with dogs at home - so I put on a brave face and thankfully all the dogs on set were so well behaved. It's funny, but once I was in character I had no problem with the dogs, but as soon as they said “Cut!”, I would find myself taking a small step back!
I’d back Nana V (Joanna Scanlan’s character) to compete in next year’s Strictly Come Dancing. She would rock that floor with an array of bras for sale on her arm I'm sure!
Dancing the Waltz with her Strictly partner, Brendan Cole
It turns out Brendan Cole is a real family man as well as such a great dancer. As my partner in this year’s Strictly, he was very chilled out and told me off for not believing more in myself. We did have a laugh and teased each other a lot. But Blackpool was our hardest week.
Tackling Strictly on top of Casualty and keeping up at home is incredibly hard. Sometimes I don't believe I will get to the end of the week without burning the house down or breaking my legs! The multitasker in me has really been put to the test and my wonderful support system of family and friends have all helped keep me on track.
Sunetra as Zoe in Casualty, alongside actor William Beck (Dylan)
When I had to switch from being Sunetra the dancer to Dr Zoe Hanna on Casualty in the same day it was the Zoe clothes and stethoscope that snapped me back into doctor mode! A lot of juices, energy bars and water have helped when I'm low on energy – as well as the odd chocolate bar or five!
Sunetra Sarker plays Lilli Kusiak in Puppy Love and Dr Zoe Hanna in Casualty.
Puppy Love continues on Thursday, 4 December at 10pm, on BBC Four and BBC Four HD. For further programme times please see the episode guide.
More on Puppy Love
The Guardian: New BBC Four comedy explores the nation's canine compulsion
The Telegraph: Puppy Love - a dog's view
Comments made by writers on the BBC TV Blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.
