'It's fun to play the fine line between love and hate'

Screenwriter Anne-Marie O'Connor is joined by stars Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker to discuss toxic female friendships and ITV's Frauds., which starts this Sunday

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Just like Suranne Jones and Jodie Whittaker, we all have that one friend who always goes a step too far. But because they're just too much fun, we stick by them.

Toxic female friendships are also something Anne-Marie O'Connor has had to navigate; it's why she wanted to explore this dynamic in her new ITV heist drama, Frauds.

Before the British screenwriter started writing the series she co-created with longtime friend and BAFTA-winner Jones, 47, who first rose to prominence playing Karen McDonald on ITV's Coronation Street, O'Connor asked colleagues about the friends they were intoxicated by, and found it was a real “female experience”.

Frauds-executive produced by O'Connor, who also wrote Sky One's comedy sitcom Trollied-is set in southern Spain and follows two con women, Bert, played by Jones, and Sam, played by Whittaker, 43, who rekindle their dark yet funny friendship after 10 years.

When Bert is released from prison on compassionate grounds, she calls on Sam to pick her up and help her pull off one last heist. It involves art theft and gathering a talented team of outcasts who can help them execute this ambitious crime.

Whilst the team come up against various challenges to complete the heist, it's the power struggle between Bert and Sam that threatens to derail their plans and destroy them both.

Whittaker, who became the first woman to play the titular role in Doctor Who, became instantly obsessed with the love-hate toxic obsession Bert and Sam have with each other, and admits that she's “never read anything like it”.