CultBox caught up with actress Jodie Whittaker (Attack the Block) for a chat about Sky1′s new firefighting drama The Smoke, out on DVD this week.

From the creators of Spooks and Broadchurch, The Smoke is a show about ordinary men and women, about fire-fighters, and heroes, about life and death stories of risk and rescue.

Kev Allison (Jamie Bamber – Battlestar Gallactica) is a seasoned fire-fighter and the leader of the crew at White Watch. Being a hero is part and parcel of how he sees himself as a man: it’s in his blood and who he is. But his life is about to change when he’s called to the worst fire of his career… and every belief Kev held sacred about being a fire-fighter, and serving the public, is about to be turned on its head.

Watch the trailer…

 

What’s the reaction been like to The Smoke?

“Well, the only reaction I’ve had if checking with my mates and family. I couldn’t sit there at home watching myself on TV! But I got the seal of approval from them. I’m so proud of the show and just really excited for everyone to see it. But no, I’d feel so arrogant watching myself!”

What attracted you to the show and the part of Trish?

“I got the script for the first episode and was just like ‘oh, some big fire drama, what’s this?’ – but I read it and got to the reveal [of Jamie Bamber’s character’s injury] and was like ‘WHAT THE FUCK?’! The more I read, it was brilliant.

“The writing continually shocked me, how Trish behaves… I loved that I could play a woman who was really flawed but not portrayed as a total bitch, because that’s so rare in female roles. The characters have everything, they show what people are actually like, but in this heightened environment.”

What were the cast like to work with?

“I knew Jamie a bit before, socially, but the others were all just acquaintances really. We all met at the read-through and all got on so well. Particularly with White Watch, it was really important for them to have that chemistry.”

Were you jealous of the cast members who were involved in the stunts and action?

“No fucking way! I’m sure they had a laugh, but I’m terrified of fire.

“I got tricked into doing some stunts later in the series, but it was alright because I was meant to look scared. I don’t do fire; I just flap about! I don’t mind doing action, like in Attack the Block, but not fire.”

Have you heard anything about a second series yet?

“Not yet, but you don’t do these things thinking that far ahead. I’d absolutely 100% be back though. Well, I’m contracted anyway, but you know!

“We’d all be delighted though – well, everyone who’d be coming back…”

What did you think of The Smoke? Let us know below…