Geraldine James has admitted she had to learn to love her police costume for Black Work, but now can’t get enough of the outfit.
The actress stars as Chief Constable Carolyn Jarecki in the new three-part drama, and said that the wardrobe choices took some getting used to.
She said of the police uniform: “When I first put it on, I thought, ‘I look like a complete fool in this. It doesn’t work at all’. And then I got rather keen on it and quite enjoyed wearing it. It’s empowering. I really got to like strutting about.”
Geraldine, 64, said the role was a change of pace for her: “It was good to play an upright person in the community. I usually play dodgy low-life.”
She also said that she thought being in a position of power, like her character, could be dangerous: “You see it even in something as lowly as acting. Very occasionally, but it does exist. You see people who, because they are leading actors, think they’re of a higher echelon than mere mortals. And that really annoys me, because that’s not true.”
Geraldine admitted it had almost happened to her a long time ago: “I was doing so much work and people can treat you differently. It’s quite difficult not to let that go to your head. You can’t believe in those myths, though. And they are complete myths, so you have to be wary of that.”
The actress added that now she found herself being ignored a lot more as an older woman: “Having been somebody who people might have glanced at occasionally, suddenly you couldn’t be less interesting because you’re past it, or whatever. Becoming invisible is weird.”
Black Work begins on ITV tonight (June 21).
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article