VoxVib

Ashes to Ashes, Upstairs Downstairs, Line of Duty and now Doctor Who - learn all about Keeley Hawes'

As Line of Duty nears its climax, we look back on Hawes' TV hits and misses...

The Blonde Bombshell – 1999

After early roles in Karaoke and Our Mutual Friend, it was her portrayal of a young Diana Dors in The Blonde Bombshell that launched Hawes' career. Starring opposite Amanda Redman in the ITV two-parter, the then-23-year-old binged on chips, chocolate and beer to recreate the UK starlet's fuller figure.

More like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwijdohPZVE

Tipping the Velvet – 2002

Along with Rachael Stirling, Jodhi May and a young Benedict Cumberbatch, Hawes appeared in the BBC's adaptation of Tipping the Velvet – the Sarah Waters novel telling the tale of a nineteenth century lesbian love story. The miniseries required Hawes to shoot some steamy sex scenes, causing a fair bit of controversy among viewers but putting her name firmly on the map.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZakjst7Wso

Spooks – 2002-2004

One of the many famous faces to grace the BBC1 spy drama, Hawes was there from the very start, along with fellow founding members David Oyelowo, Jenny Agutter, Peter Firth and her future husband Matthew Macfadyen. Playing case officer Zoe Reynolds, Hawes lasted until the third series when her character skipped the country to Chile with a new identity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=medR_d_FxKI

Ashes to Ashes – 2008-2010

Fast-forward to 2008 (and then rewind to the 1980s) and Keeley joined Philip Glenister in Ashes to Ashes – the sequel to Life on Mars – accepting the part of policewoman Alex Drake having never seen the original. Good thing, too – Hawes enjoyed three successful series sporting her character's colourful '80s threads.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kk0ioIvpjb4

Identity – 2010

Sticking with police procedurals, Hawes took issue with identity theft as crime-busting DS Martha Lawson in this cop drama. But sadly the public didn't take to it, with ITV pulling the plug after just one series.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wax-mypXkwE

Upstairs Downstairs – 2010-2012

"This house is going to see such life," declared Keeley in the trailer for the Beeb's revival of Upstairs Downstairs. Sadly her words failed to ring true with the show shedding viewers, and lasting just two series thanks in part to the overwhelming success of its ITV rival, Downton Abbey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WYKhwiiaIA

Line of Duty

In DI Lindsay Denton, Hawes has found herself a character to demonstrate her full dramatic ability, delivering a performance lauded by critics and viewers alike. Events draw to what is sure to be a dramatic conclusion next Wednesday with viewers waiting on tenterhooks to discover whether the suspected detective is victim or villain. Tune in to BBC2 at 9:00pm to find out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nd7kfWjoCl0

Follow @RadioTimes

Advertisement

ncG1vJloZrCvp2O%2ForDIqKuipZWoe6S7zGilnq%2BjZH9xfZNmZ2xlYWp8p77OpmSsqJ%2BkuLR506hkpaGemnqwsoydrK2xXWJ6rLHEpZyyZZiWxKa%2FjK2tZpum

Lynna Burgamy

Update: 2024-05-17