Vicky McClure returns to ‘This Is England’ mini-series

By Darren Hallesy: One of the most critically acclaimed British films of the last decade, ‘This is England’ written and directed by Shane Meadows, made a huge impact and did big business in Australia, where it quickly earned a cult following.

Three years after the films release, Shane Meadows wrote and directed a four-part mini series, which got massive ratings in the UK.

It is a funny, charming and ultimately shocking story about sexual abuse that results in four of the best hours of drama that British TV has produced for many years.

McClure’s performance earned her a nomination and subsequent win at the British Academy Awards, yet it was just twelve months earlier that Vicky quit her job in a property valuer’s office to concentrate on her acting career.

“Yes, that’s true,” Vicky told City West. “To me its not a big shock that I had a normal job, and I can see why people find that shocking, but we’ve all got to pay the bills, and big jobs in acting don’t come along all the time. For me, they do now, but back then if I could earn money then I’ll take it, and the company I was working for was very supportive for the eight years I was there.”

Before scoring the role that was to change her life, Vicky’s biggest claim to fame was appearing in the film ‘Filth and Wisdom’ directed by a first time director by the name of Madonna.

“It was completely mad working with Madonna, and not a role that I was going to turn down, you have to grab offers like that. She was a big fan of Shane’s work and offered me the role without an audition.

“I got a phone call and I thought it was a wind up…next thing I know I’m acting with Madonna directing me. I was prepared and aware that the press would do their own thing with her as a first time as a director. I look at that film and now realise she did a great job.”

Read the whole interview in CityWest magazine here.