Emma Rigby, the actress portraying convicted murderer Tracie Andrews in a new Channel 5 drama, has revealed she wants to sit down with the real-life killer for a television interview. Rigby, best known for playing Hannah Ashworth in Hollyoaks, said she would love to make a documentary featuring a conversation between the two of them.
“I would love to make a documentary following a sit down between the two of us. I have so many questions for her. She has never told the truth on camera, it would be interesting to see what story she would tell now,” Rigby told the press.
Rigby's Preparation for the Role
Rigby, now 36, was only seven years old when Lee Harvey was killed in 1996. She knew nothing about the case before being approached for the role. To prepare, she watched numerous documentaries and read the book Pure Evil by Lee’s mother, Maureen Harvey, who is played in the drama by Jo Marriott of The Witcher fame.
An avid consumer of true crime, Rigby found Andrews’ psychology “fascinating” but struggled to find any sympathy for her. “The most chilling moments are when we used transcripts of what Tracie actually said. Her tone is terrifying and her lack of remorse is extremely sad. Tracie is the very definition of chilling. Her behaviour is shockingly unbelievable,” she explained.
The Crime and Its Aftermath
Thirty years ago, Andrews was found covered in blood next to the body of her fiancé Lee Harvey on a dark country lane near their home in Alvechurch, Worcestershire. She had stabbed him 42 times in the neck and chest during an argument as they drove home from a local pub. The crime was premeditated; she had hidden a knife inside her boot.
Andrews initially claimed a road rage incident, saying Lee was killed by a man with “starey eyes” in another car. However, her story unraveled when she contradicted her own statements at a televised press conference. She was sentenced to life in prison and served a minimum of 14 years before being released in 2011. She now lives under the name Jenna Stephens in a southern coastal town and married bouncer Phil Goldsworthy in 2017. Two years after her imprisonment, she admitted to killing Lee but claimed it was in self-defense.
Rigby's Portrayal and Insights
The 90-minute drama, Suspect: The Road Rage Killer, depicts how Andrews, then 27, craved fame as a model and enjoyed being the center of attention at the press conference, even as she exposed herself as a suspect. “Tracie has many facets, her wanting to be on camera was one of them. It was important to show how Tracie's demise was essentially giving the camera too much,” Rigby said.
Rigby noted that playing Andrews meant getting into her head, where she found no redeeming features. “I can believe that in her way she loved Lee, and relate to a toxic situation masquerading as an all-consuming love, but this does not extend to sympathy for her actions. The more I consumed, the more horrified I became. Each new detail that emerged was more shocking than the last, it makes for a gripping drama.”
The actress also highlighted Andrews’ lack of remorse. “The key element is Tracie's apathy - which is offset by her complete conviction to come out on top, whatever the cost.”
Impact on Rigby's Career
Rigby, who also starred in BBC1’s Prisoners’ Wives, said she loved taking on the challenging role and hopes it leads to more complex parts. “I hope it will reveal a whole new dimension to what I can do. Tracie is my first onscreen role playing a real person and is someone many people are familiar with, due to the iconic press conference. I wanted to give a raw and very real performance. As an actor I had the most enjoyable time playing Tracie; I really loved the grit.”
Under Suspicion: Tracie Andrews - Lover, Liar, Killer airs on Channel 5 on Monday 13 July at 9pm.
