Q&A with Kelly Macdonald - Line of Duty's DCI Joanne Davidson
We chat to Kelly Macdonald - Line of Duty's DCI Joanne Davidson ahead of the highly anticipated new series of the BBC drama
Can you tell us about DCI Joanne Davidson?
At the start of the series, sheβs quite a lonely figure. Sheβs struggling and we donβt quite know why that is.
Where do we meet her at the start?
Sheβs doing very well in her career. Sheβs the head of an important case and itβs very high profile.
What kind of officer is she - what are her strengths?
Sheβs got a very stressful position and deals with it well but is quite a closed off person. Thereβs a lot going on under the surface with her. She gets to the point where she has to make tricky decisions.
Were you a fan of Line of Duty before?
I hadnβt watched it until this part came up! But Iβve not watched lots of things - Game of Thrones, The Sopranos! However, I was very aware of Line of Duty as everyone in the UK is. I was sent the first couple of scripts and the part was phenomenal. It's so daunting going into a show with such a huge profile. I started watching it and got completely hooked. Then when we were near the beginning of filming, I was half way through Thandie Newtonβs series [series four] and the nerves started to creep in so thatβs when I stopped! I still have some to catch up.
βIt's so daunting going into a show with such a huge profile. I started watching it and got completely hookedβ
What was it like to film during the COVID pandemic?
2020 was a tricky year for the whole world! We started filming this show in February and we got a few weeks in when lockdown happened. We had this massive gap before we got to come back. Itβs been unlike anything Iβve ever been involved in. Itβs such a massive job and an amazing part but with a whole worldwide pandemic on top of things, weβve had to come back in a slightly different way. Iβve been so welcomed by production and the rest of the cast that Iβve had a lovely time! Well, as lovely as I could during this pandemic.
How were the interview room scenes?
Ooh! They were the thing that filled me with the most dread but actually I really enjoyed them. One of the interview scenes is bigger than anything Iβve ever done before - I think over half an hour. We filmed it over two days and on the first day, the cameras were only on my character. I was told there were 50 cameras set up on me just in that one day which is mind blowing. It was like doing a play and it was a real treat to have that kind of material in one scene!
Line of Duty Series 6 airs Sunday 21st March on BBC one
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