What was it that initially drew you to WPC 56 and your role as WPC Gina Dawson?
Jennie Jacques as Gina Dawson / Credit: BBC
There were several reasons why I was so passionate about WPC56 and my character Gina Dawson. I love period dramas and any excuse to dive back in time and pretend to be part of a different era draws me in like a moth to the camp-fire. But something which really compelled me to dive deeper as I learnt more about the history of the 50's was of course the movement for women and the fact that Gina defied the status-quo. Gina was daring and determined to follow her dream to build a career as a police-officer during an era when such ambition in a young woman was universally frowned upon. The fact that Gina didn't care and forged ahead made me fall a bit in love with her!
Set in 1956 there is the theme of sexist attitudes in the force at the time, did you feel a pressure going into this series because of that, to portray everything perfectly?
Yes there were sexist attitudes and despite moving so far forward we still have the odd one to nip in the bud today. I felt confident with the preparation I'd put into my role and the era in order to give an honest performance so the pressure wasn't too much when I stepped onto set but I was still nervous. Gina and I shared a lot of similar characteristics so it was easy to find her instinct and her reactions to certain situations, largely because Gina was a woman ahead of her time, so she was bold enough to answer back to some of the sexist comments in a similar way to how I would today, which is pretty brave. However I did have to bite my tongue during some of the scenes! It was nice to be able to use the nerves of my first day at work for Gina's first day too!
For those who haven't yet seen the second series and have been waiting for the box set release, just what should they expect?
You can expect even more from the second series! I devoured the scripts as soon as I received them! They were even more exciting and edgy while keeping that good old fashioned 1950's police drama at the heart of it all and not forgetting to keep a sense humour and fun, despite being another dark and twisted story-line.
How did you find the response to the first and second series?
I am very grateful for such a positive response to the first and second series for WPC56! A lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes, before and after the show, so to know that the audience had responded in the same way I had to reading the scripts was a wonderful experience. Feedback and support for a show is vital and always appreciated especially when the words were as kind as what I'd read. I am smiling now just thinking about it! Honestly when you work so hard to get a role then you see each department working equally as hard with their passion and heart, it's very rewarding to read and hear good things!
And we now know that a third series is currently being filmed, can you tell us a little about a typical day on-set?
A typical day on set would start with a very early pick up, sometimes as early as 4.45am, then the transformation to become the part begins in the make-up chair! Thankfully Gina did not wear much make-up so that was nice to keep it relatively light and easy to wear all day, but she did have a wig to put on and occasionally a police hat to add to that and a fancy 1950's uniform! I wanted to really feel the part so I'd even wear the 1950's underwear! Location would change depending upon the scenes we were shooting first up, but we were always in Birmingham, staying true to the heart of the Midlands, England which was lovely. During the first series especially I was practically in every scene every day so the days and nights were very long with no breaks but I guess I used Gina's determination to keep going!
Can you tell us anything about what to expect from this new series?
Considering series 2 was a surge into more suspense, exciting story-lines and new successful characters, I can only hope and imagine series 3 will offer the same!
Is it easier coming back to a series than when you first started, because the relationships with cast and crew are already there?
Yes I believe it is easier to come back into a series after you've shot a season, because by this point you have had the chance to grow into your new role and yes of course build relationships, not just with your cast-members, but actually on the set too. It might sound silly but you will even build a relationship with your own office, even if it is a dusty old broom cupboard!
What's it been like working with the rest of the WPC 56 crew?
WPC56 series 1 and 2 is a success because of the writing and casting and performance combined with a fantastic team of people, the crew, who can work well together, listen and respect each other. I've made some good friends on the job and for that I'll always be very grateful.
How does WPC 56 compare to the other work you've done and are currently doing?
It is difficult to compare jobs because each project is an individual, a bit like a child, with different needs and expectations. When I stepped onto the film-set of Tim Burton's Dark Shadows I was overwhelmed by the organisation, attention to detail and just how big and beautiful the set was but even when shooting smaller short-films there are equally overwhelming experiences, for example standing on the edge of the cliff in Beachy Head looking up at the stars and feeling the wind at midnight when shooting Nocturn with director Leanne Welham, both completely different but both helping an actor to get into character. I like to enjoy each job individually and learn as much as I possibly can from the experience to take elements of that learning into the next project and who knows, maybe even start creating my own jobs! Now that would be fun!
Finally, what's next for you?
I've just finished filming the show Vikings for the US History channel playing Saxon Princess Judith, a new series regular, and that has been a truly magnificent experience, I have enjoyed every second of it. I'm currently rehearsing for a new TV series called The Delivery Man for ITV which is a comedy about a male midwife played by Darren Boyd coming onto the predominantly female Midwifery ward, which is ironic compared to WPC56 where I was Gina walking into a predominantly male environment in a completely different era! I'm playing Tash a Midwife from Manchester! I hope to carry the same twists and turns and more energetic work into 2015!
WPC 56 series 1 and 2 are available now in a new box-set.