Interview with Helen Baxendale

We last saw Lorna at the Christmas special, how has life changed for her since then?
Well, her husband had lied about having a vasectomy! She has gone from having two grown children, a job, a life that is sorted and easy again, to the start of this series when she’s having a baby at the age of 40 plus-plus-plus (laughs) and she thinks it’s her turn to return to work and wants Ken to take paternity leave. It’s all a bit up in the air - much like having a baby!

What is it about Lorna that the audience can relate to?
She’s a proper mum and wants everybody to be happy all the time, to make everything okay - she doesn’t want anyone to be upset with anyone. I think that’s quite relatable as I share that with her, I'm a pacifier and I don’t like conflict. She also has flaws and a past and been a bit of a one! I really like her!

Have there been any funny moments on set this series or any highlights?
We went on location to Buckinghamshire which was so beautiful, and there was even a helicopter - but then everyone got hay fever. We camped and that was nice.

What’s it like working with Greg?
He’s the most lovely lovely man you could ever meet and he’s obviously very funny to work with and very entertaining and very self-deprecating. Yeah he’s ace. You could say he’s really distracting and makes me laugh!

What was it about the series that appealed to you and made you want keep coming back?
It’s just such a brilliant programme, I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever done, everyone in it is such a laugh and so lovely. It’s just a joy to do - there aren’t many cases like this!

What’s it like having a programme set in Lichfield?
I come from Lichfield, where the series is set. So playing someone who came from Lichfield is just great and I Iove that Lichfield is getting a bit of air time.