Vicky McClure has hinted at high-powered storylines in the upcoming fourth series of ITV's Trigger Point, which kicks off with her troubled character Lana Washington on the front line with Counter Terrorism Command as the capital is hit by a wave of devastating bombings.
Lana's Personal Struggles
The 43-year-old actress admits the shocking on-screen action keeps her on her toes. She said: "I think it's a really great start, and it was the right place to start with Lana's personal situation. If you've been a fan of the show, you've got to deal with her, and she's got to put herself first eventually, for the job as well as for herself. You just cannot keep going. Especially with what's to come. So yeah, there's a lot going on."
She added: "But I don't think anyone will ever know Lana inside out bless her. There's a numbness to her because of the amount of tragedy that she's faced. Whether it be close family or a stranger in you know a situation, she doesn't feel, and that must be such a disconcerting and scary place to be."
Filming Challenges and Fun
Although the series is serious and tense on screen, the high-octane opening episode was also a mixture of fun and fitness for Vicky. She joked she does a lot of prep in the gym before adding: "No I don't! and I'm not going to lie about it because I don't. It's my gym! It's happening while I'm working, and it is long days, and it is physical, and it is a lot to take on. But, I know it might get said a lot, but I mean it, this was one of the best jobs."
She continued: "And y'know as much as there's a lot of running, there's like running, and then it's like okay, we're going to change lens. I'm like 'I'll see in 20 minutes'. So I'll go and have a cup of tea and sit down and catch my breath and go again."
Cast and Viewing Figures
Vicky is joined by returning cast members Eric Shango (Danny), Nabil Elouahabi (Hass), Natalie Simpson (DS Helen Morgan), and Maanuv Thiara (DCI Batra). Director Jennie Darnell, who also worked on Line Of Duty, used guest stars including Julie Graham and Jonas Armstrong.
They hope to build on the success of the third series, which averaged 7 million viewers, with the launch attracting 7.4 million. The main problem for the explosive opening episode was shooting in London and its landmarks, which is not easy as it's a city that is never quiet or empty.
Keeping Secrets
Director Jennie said it was "very exciting" but added: "How do you track a device on a lorry through London in almost real time. We had to work through that. What makes it complex and difficult is if we were going to say it was set in London, we needed to be in London. So we needed to know those landmarks and know how we could use them, know which ones we could have access to using, and then piece that together from there."
Writer Chris Brandon teased: "This show thrives on its cliffhangers and its surprises, and there's plenty more to come." Vicky has also just finished filming new Line Of Duty scenes for the BBC and is sworn to secrecy, though she thinks some measures by TV bosses to keep things under wraps can be a bit over the top. She said: "I do think sometimes it's a bit dramatic, the industry, it's a bit MI5. Oh sign an NDA for this script. Like we're gonna copy it and get a green light tomorrow, which is impossible ever. So I do think sometimes it's excessive."
She added: "But then, for the audience's sake, I wouldn't dream of saying anything, because, you know whether you're gonna binge it, whether you're gonna go week by week, whatever way you want to approach telly now, which is in so many different ways, people have a choice, and that's great. And it's such a shame when sometimes it is given out, and therefore you kind of can't miss the spoilers. But that's the way it is now. I wouldn't dream of sort of saying too much. I think if my family ask, yeah, they probably know a lot. So don't approach them!"
Trigger Point Series 4 starts on ITV and ITVX on Sunday August 30 at 9pm.
