Art imitates life for pregnant Sheridan Smith in a hard-hitting new ITV series based on the current health crisis and its wider impact on British society.
The actress, 38, takes a starring role in Isolation Stories, a collection of four brand new stand-alone episodes born out of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, which has so far claimed 227,638 lives across the world.
Expectant mum Sheridan plays Mel, a heavily pregnant young woman stuck in lockdown without the married father of her child, while preparing for the imminent birth of her own baby with fiancé Jamie Horn.
Coming soon: Art imitates life for Sheridan Smith in Isolation Stories, a hard-hitting new ITV series based on the current health crisis and its wider impact on British society
But she admits the unique filming process necessary for her to successfully shoot scenes while adhering to strict social distancing presented more of a problem than the character, whose experiences go some way towards mirroring her own.
Reflecting on the shoot, which took place in the home she shares with her insurance broker fiancé, Sheridan admitted it was left to him to set up the production equipment and handle the cameras while she filmed her scenes.
She explained: ‘They dropped off lots of camera, lighting and sound equipment at the gate, all disinfected. Jamie was then talked through how it all worked.
Uncertain times: Expectant mum Sheridan plays Mel, a heavily pregnant young woman stuck in lockdown without the married father of her child, while preparing for the imminent birth of her own baby with fiancé Jamie Horn
‘We had a crew of people on Zoom with us at all times during filming, explaining to Jamie where to place the cameras and lighting, he was amazing and isn’t in the industry so I was so proud of him.
‘He was so good and turned out to be a natural cameraman. They were so impressed that they trusted him to do camera shots that are even tricky with a whole crew.
‘I couldn’t help much with lifting, currently being so pregnant myself, so I was in charge of costume, make up, continuity etc.’
Unusual: Reflecting on the shoot, which took place in the home she shares with her insurance broker fiancé Jamie Horn, Sheridan admitted it was left to him to set up the production equipment and handle the cameras
The actress admits she immediately said yes to the project after an initial approach from Oscar nominated writer and producer Jeff Pope, who laid the foundations for the series after watching wife Tina struggle with coronavirus symptoms.
She said: ‘I am heavily pregnant and have been isolating at home so I jumped at the chance to make a drama about the massive drama going on all around us right now.
‘I think it’s really important to try and reflect what’s happening to us whilst it is still.’
Inspiration: Sheridan was approached by Oscar nominated writer and producer Jeff Pope, who laid the foundations for the series after watching wife Tina struggle with coronavirus symptoms
Six weeks of government mandated lockdown has also made Sheridan acutely aware of her good fortune in having Jamie, while character Mel faces an uncertain future without the father of her child, and without her family – who have abandoned her.
‘I’m lucky I have the baby coming soon so it’s been a focus for me,’ she said. ‘I think it would be hard for people like the character I play in the drama, as she is on her own. And obviously it’s hard for all the families being kept apart at the minute, so I count myself lucky and we have adapted to this new “normal” for now.
‘Clapping for the carers and watching all the beautiful situations happening have put things into perspective. It’s a terribly sad time for so many.
‘But people coming together encouraging each other to stay strong has been a wonderful thing to witness.’
Robert and Tom Glenister, Eddie Marsan, Angela Griffin, Darren Boyd, David Threlfall, Michael Jibson, Leanne Best and Philip Jackson will also feature in the new four-part series.
Isolation Stories will air at 9pm for four consecutive nights on ITV1 from Monday May 4th.