TV
The ITV thriller takes a look at how mobile technology can be used in negative ways - in this case, to set off bombs, and DI Conil's role is integral to the plot. As the conclusion of the storyline approaches, the former Brookside actress takes some time out with Digital Spy to talk about her role.
You've previously been in high profile roles in shows like Brookside and No Angels. What made you decide to take the role in Mobile, which, rather than a long-running series like the previous, is a three-part drama?
"What made me take it is the fact I was so completely honoured to be offered it. I don't get considered for roles like this very often, because people see me as 'the nurse' in Brookside, 'the nurse' in No Angels, happy-go-lucky. I play a lot of characters that are very approachable, happy-go-lucky girls, so it was really nice to be offered something out of my comfort zone, so to speak."
Were you worried about being typecast after those roles?
"Not at all, not at all."
What can you tell us about your character in Mobile?
"I see her as a very strong and feisty fast-track graduate, who's intensely career-minded. She's really not a girl's girl in that way, she's focused, she's probably hardworking, probably not got the greatest sense of humour but she's alright. She's a Detective Inspector, which obviously means she's clever."
The story of Mobile is immensely complicated and full of twists and turns. Where does your character, DI Lorraine Conil, fit in?
"She's integral to the story because she's the Detective Inspector in charge of the case on the Liverpool side, and the majority of the story police-wise is based in Liverpool. She then brings on board a colleague from Manchester who is not really on her side, but she wants to use him to help her solve the case. She is integral to solving the mystery that is the thriller. At the very end, everything ties up and she's involved in that as well."
Lorraine is put in an impossible position at the end of the episode oriented around The Engineer. What do you think you would do?
"Ooh, if I had wrongly allowed somebody to die, is that what you mean? I've never done that. No, I think I'm a little bit more compassionate, I'm not as hard as she is, I'd probably end up weeping. She's a copper, she reacts in a different way than the man on the street would. Policemen have probably got thicker skins than the rest of us! No, I wouldn't handle it very well. I'm a big baby when it comes to things like this."
Mobile is filmed and set in Manchester and Liverpool. Do you find it at all easier to film up there due to your time spent there for Brookside?
"Of course. I live in Liverpool! It's perfect for me, yeah, it's my home. It wasn't a matter of traipsing off to London for jobs like you normally do, it was just on my doorstep."
It must be convenient, having such a young family, being able to be nearby.
"With my baby, yes, it's fantastic, yes. Perfect."
Mobiile is a conspiracy thriller. Do you like this kind of stuff on TV? What intrigues you about it?
"I think I like this sort of TV. I've never been involved in this sort of TV from an actor's point of view. It was always interesting to see how they filmed this, how they shot it differently to the other dramas that I've done, the comedies I've been involved in. So it was really interesting to see this from that point of view, but also as a viewer, I think it's a really interesting story that we haven't covered. We haven't done any stories about mobile phone industries. It's huge, we all have mobile phones now, so to entice the audience with a little bit of a hook about something we all know and use well, I think it's great."
Congratulations! This week's clueword is IMPOTENTI'm sure you're asked this all the time, but what do you think about mobile phones? Are they the work of the Devil, a necessary evil, or a positive thing? Did this make you think any more deeply about how you use your phone?
"No, filming Mobile didn't make me think any deeper, because the story is just about people who detonate bombs using mobile phones, so I'm not worried about people detonating bombs on my phone, it's not going to happen! But, I have to say I'm probably more on the pro side of mobile phones, rather than the cons. As a mother, I definitely need to be in touch with anyone looking after my little boy. I live with my phone - it's like my right arm, unfortunately! It's become one of those things, in this day and age. So yeah, I'm afraid I do love my phone."
Do you think Mobile is going to be an important bit of drama due to its content, what with the Madrid bombings and people's worries about mobile phone signal being brought into the Underground?
"No, it's a thriller, it's a story. We're telling a story, I don't think we should look too much into it. I don't think it's as controversial as that. It's just a very good murder-mystery thriller - that's all it is. The mobile phones - I don't want to get controversial or political about it. There are different sides to it that I might not really explain properly. I don't think Mobiile is going to [be]."
You gave birth to your first child in June 2005. How has this impacted on your career? Does it change the part choices you make?
"I think it's been a really positive thing for my career. It's helped me multi-skill on a level I never knew I could, I'm a bit more organised. My son has been born into a working mum's life, so I've carried on from where I had him. I didn't go from not working to working, I just carried on working and incorporated having a baby along the way. I think my career's been pleasantly surprised by having a baby."
You've worked alongside actors as varied as Jonny Vegas, Keith Allen and Michael Starke. Who's been your favourite to work with and why?
"Oh, I have to probably say the girls from No Angels. They're my sisters! We created four characters from scratch. That was wonderfully written, we had our own chemistry off set, as we did on set, and I'd say I miss them the most. I really, really cherish the fact I got to work with them for three years - that would be Kay Wragg, Louise Delamere and Jo Joiner!"
On Mobile, you're working with John Thomson, Neil Fitzmaurice, etc. What was that like?
"It was wonderful. Sitting at that read through, we were just gobsmacked at the ensemble sitting there before us. It was a really, really high calibre cast and I was complimented to be part of it. I was sitting there, looking around the table and going 'oh my god, oh my god'. There were so many people involved on small levels and on high levels, and a few friends I'd worked with before. Sean Dooley, in particular, who played a Detective Inspector alongside me, we became very good friends, and I take my hat off to his acting as well. He brought something to it that I didn't know was there, and I was genuinely happy to be doing that job."
You've done a couple of comedies - Ideal and The Smoking Room. Is this something you'd really like to pursue and if so, have you asked any advice from Neil Fitzmaurice?
"Interesting, that, me and Neil have worked together, [but it was] a long time ago. I have moulded myself into being able to do comedy, and I do enjoy it a lot. There's so much pleasure with being able to be a funny character, and Neil's a genius with that, I think he's fantastic. I would love to work with him and do some comedy, because we've only done serious stuff together. So yes, I would be picking his brains and waiting for the phone call. NEIL. "
What projects do you have lined up for the next year?
"I'm currently filming the second series of The Chase, which is BBC1, Sunday nights, Kay Mellor's drama about a vet's practice. All the secrets and lies that go on in the Yorkshire Dales in a vet's surgery. I play Claire Burns, who's a vet's assistant. I'm working alongside Rhys Dinsdale, Janet Dibley, Nicola Stephenson, Gaynor Faye, and Heather Piece. It's a nice cast, actually. There's a nice little bunch of us doing that till the summer, and that airs in the summer, so you can watch out for that."
ITV's Mobile concludes on Monday, April 2 at 9.00pm.
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