Luck be a LADY

AMANDA MEALING on landing a plum guest role in Father Brown, and what the future holds for her...

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FATHER BROWN FRIDAY, 1.45PM, BBC1 DRAMA

When Amanda Mealing joins TV Times for an exclusive video interview from her home to chat about her upcoming guest appearance in BBC1’s daytime drama Father Brown, she’s in the company of two very special family members. Tilting her camera, the popular actor introduces us to her beloved canine companions, Nancy and Rufus, who are looking up at her in adoration.

‘When I first saw Rufus, he was a tiny little thing and part of the doggy guard of honour at Paul O’Grady’s funeral,’ shares Amanda, who was a close friend of the presenter, who sadly passed away in March 2023, at the age of 67. ‘As I came out of the church, I saw Rufus shivering in the rain and thought, “I’ve got to have him!” Then I realised Paul had managed to get me to adopt another dog – even then!’

It’s a beautiful story, and also in keeping with Amanda’s reputation for being funny, warm and welcoming, especially of guest artists during her tenure on BBC1’s companion medical dramas Holby City and Casualty, where she played stern, stiletto-wearing consultant Connie Beauchamp between 2004 and 2021.

This week, the shoe is on the other foot, as she pops up in the fictional Cotswold village of Kembleford as Series 11 of 1950s- set Father Brown continues.

The sixth episode of the series, The Quill of Osric, sees Amanda play elegant Lady Violet, the aloof host of a crimewriting weekend, who finds herself under suspicion from the titular cleric (played by Mark Williams) after a novelist is attacked at the event.

Here, Amanda, 56, who is always a joy to talk to, tells us more about it…