Interview with Hermione Norris

What attracted you to the role of Roanna?

I’m a massive Kay Mellor fan. I think she’s a huge ambassador for women. I was also handed six brilliant complete scripts to read when I was offered the part, which almost never happens. All of Kay’s characters were rich, vibrant, real and raw and there was an honesty that ran through all of them.

The women seem to be very close despite being from different walks of life…

Childbirth is a great leveller and the shared experience between the characters proves to be an incredibly powerful thing that cuts through any potential social boundaries.

How does Roanna cope with impending motherhood, whilst facing so many challenges in her personal relationships at such an emotional time?

She’s got a lot going on which means she doesn’t have any choice but to cope. She’s fallen madly in love and isn’t thinking beyond the baby arriving at this point. The birth stirs up all kinds of feelings that she wasn’t expecting about her teenage children and she has a struggle ahead.

How was it wearing a prosthetic bump and re-living pregnancy and birth?

Really uncomfortable! As you’re not really pregnant you’ve not got the spatial awareness that would actually come with your size if it really was you, so there was a lot of bumping into things and people!

How was the experience of working with such a strong female cast?

It was fantastic to work with such wonderful women. It really was a lovely bunch of brilliant actresses all playing such diverse characters; we had such a positive collective experience.

Had you worked with Kay Mellor or any of the cast before?

I hadn’t worked with Kay before and I’m so glad I’ve had the chance to, as I’ve always been a huge fan. I’d not worked with any of the cast before either, but Tara and I have been friends for years.

Did you find yourself getting engrossed in the other character’s stories and births?

I did. What became really apparent at the read through was how excited we all were about each other’s births! My character’s birth is in episode three so it was lovely to finish my own birth scenes and get to watch and enjoy everyone else’s.