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Virgin Radio
20 Apr 2024, 10:04
Credit: BBC
Blue Lights star Joanne Crawford opens up about character's struggle to cope with series 1 loss.
(Spoilers for series one of Blue Lights below!)
As the Northern Irish police drama has returns, fans brace themselves for an intense ride as the PSNI team confronts a new threat following the tragic events of the McIntyre family in the previous series.
Joanne Crawford reprises her role as Helen McNally, leading an ensemble cast including Sian Brooke, Martin McCann, Katherine Devlin, and Nathan Braniff. Together, they navigate through not only escalating crime levels but also the challenges of minimal staffing.
One significant blow to the team was the loss of Sergeant Gerry Cliff, portrayed by the beloved Richard Dormer, whose character's wit endeared him to fans. However, Gerry's fate took a heartbreaking turn in episode five of the first season.
During a routine patrol with Jen Robinson (Hannah McClean), Gerry confronts local gangster Sully, only to tragically fall victim to a fatal gunshot. His death leaves a profound impact, not only on his colleagues but also on viewers.
In an exclusive interview with virginradio.co.uk, Joanne Crawford delves into the aftermath of Gerry's death and the mounting tension between the McIntyre gang and the police force in season 2: "There is definite, immediate, you know, physical immediate jeopardy for for the team. So from from that kind of 3d sense, yes, there's, you know, we get to see the danger that, that, that these people put themselves into every day. And then, on the emotional side of things, we get to see little threads of how it affects people."
Regarding Helen's response to Gerry's loss, Joanne explains: "I think from Helen's point of view, she hasn't really had time to process it, because she was pushed into promotion, they moved stations, they're low on staff. So I think she's somebody who kind of went, 'I'm going to try and put that to one side.' However, there are decisions being made that make her very uncomfortable, because she has that kind of physical memory, of the immediacy of what that kind of loss is like, they would have been colleagues for a long time."
She further elaborates on Helen's perspective shaping her decisions:
"So some of the ideas perhaps that [DS Murray] Canning (Desmond Eastwood) would like to pursue, she would be a bit more conservative about it. Because she has been witness to, to that devastating loss, you know, he was, he was a big, big part of the station and a big part of everyone's lives.
"We didn't get to see a lot of Gerry with Stevie, for example, Gerry with Helen, or Nicola, but they would have been colleagues for years, you know, even though they got pulled in different directions. He would have been a big kind of anchor to that place."
The second series promises a gripping narrative as Grace, Annie, and Tommy navigate their roles as police officers amid escalating gang conflicts and personal struggles.
As tensions rise and loyalties are tested, Blue Lights embarks on a compelling journey through the intricacies of law enforcement and human resilience.
The official synopsis for Blue Lights series two reads: "In series two, Grace, Annie and Tommy are growing up fast as police officers, but nothing can prepare them for the turmoil they face every day.
"It’s a year since the fall of the McIntyre crime gang and the vacuum has been filled by rival gangs, all competing for dominance. Constable Shane Bradley is drafted in to help, but his motivations are unclear. Tommy is dangerously seduced by the world of intelligence policing, while Grace struggles to deal with her son’s absence, and growing feelings for fellow officer Stevie.
"As a young loyalist threatens to take over the city, the officers face a major gangland feud – culminating in a violent and devastating confrontation."
Blue Lights series two has returned on BBC One at 9pm on Monday evenings. All episodes are now available on BBC iPlayer.
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