To be honest, since I never watched Spooks the first time she really appeared on my radar was late last year in Last Tango in Halifax (I never wrote a blog post about that and it really really deserved one). But suddenly it seems everything I watch (and I actually watch little television) has her in it. Unfortunately, last week was the culmination of two of her programmes but that was a delightful week while it lasted and showed her versatility over three nights.
She played Helen Bartlett, a woman strangely unruffled by the news of her estranged mother's murder to the point where she becomes a viable suspect. As the episode goes on the disturbing details of her relationship with her parents trickles out in an extended scene that is as gut-wrenching as it is captivating. Probably has to be seen to be appreciated but, damn, it was good.
So airhead to murder suspect to DCI in the space of three days - and all of them believable in their own different ways. If I hadn't already been converted to her fan club in December I would definitely be signing up now. Looking forward to the rest of the series of Scott & Bailey and I'll then be counting down the days till Last Tango returns.
6 comments:
Great appreciation post. Nichola Walker is one of the best, most underrated actresses of out time. Saw hire in the theatre last October and she mesmerising. She's nominated for an Olivier award for that.
Oh and if you haven't, you really should watch Spooks. Fantastic series ,are even better by. Nicola Walker.
Didn't know she was up for an Olivier!
I'll try Spooks when my stomach's up to it. I caught one episode once - involved a head being dunked into a deep fan fryer - and it scarred me a bit.
I first became a fan of Nicola's in her early days in S2 of "Spooks", and subsequently caught pretty much everything she's been in before and after, save for stage theatre performances as I'm not in the UK. She's a very versatile performer, and quite understated when it comes to 'popular' media exposure. But she's an absolute gem.
It's strange how someone with so much versatility isn't more widely praised - maybe they don't like the fact they can't categorise her easily!
If I ever get the chance to see her on stage I'll take it.
I have loved Nicola since Spooks. She is a very versatile actress and I wish that she was in more shows and in bigger and more varied parts.
She has this rare ability of being able to shove emotional intensity into the audience's face so that they uncomfortably can't look away. She plays emotions with such rawness and authenticity you forget that it is someone playing a part.
Very true - the varied nature of the parts I listed above was astonishing! Looking forward to the return of Last Tango in Halifax - can't wait to see how Gillian gets this series.
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