GATESHEAD lass Jill Halfpenny is back on television in the last of the current series of Blue Murder.
The versatile performer and ex-EastEnder makes a guest appearance in the show as Army mechanic Jackie Holroyd.
Another former soap star Richard Fleeshman, from Coronation Street, plays her screen son Ben. The family are under investigation when a body is found at the barracks where Jackie works.
For Jill the role was a chance to get back into television after a spell in theatre.
She said: “I had just finished Uncle Vanya at the Repertory Theatre in Birmingham and it’s always nice once I’ve finished performing on stage to then do TV again.
“When the role for Jackie Holroyd came up I was keen to take on the challenge.
“Jackie’s a very loyal and devoted mum who works hard but she’s also a tough cookie with a very strong and independent outlook on life.”
Jill enjoyed getting to grips with the character — a single mum — and her feelings as her children go missing.
She said that she enjoyed filming the episode.
She said: “It was really good fun and there was a great atmosphere on set. The cast and crew were lovely to work with.
“There are lots of great roles I would like to play. I would love to do a big period drama, and also maybe a comedy.
“I’ve got a list as long as my arm so I’m really open to all possible roles in both TV and theatre.”
Blue Murder star Caroline Quentin said the current series was spiced up by the calibre of guest stars. She particularly enjoyed working with Jill and former Corrie star Kate Ford.
Caroline said: “Everyone has been fantastic to work with and we’ve had great fun.
“It was Kate Ford’s first role since leaving Coronation Street and I think she really enjoyed herself.
“I only did one scene with Kate but she was completely charming. Jill Halfpenny is a wonderful actress and I was delighted to work with her.”
