Interview with Gina McKee (Kate)

What drew you to the series?
I was interested in working on Suspect after reading the script, because I found the dynamic between Susannah the lead character and Kate, who I play fascinating. It's almost like a chamber piece. And the quest for knowledge and power, I guess, in broad terms was interesting to me.

What are the challenges you face as an actor with that two-hander structure?
These are half hour episodes. And within that format, you have two people who are both seeking information, both seeking survival, and both trying to not reveal themselves too much to one another. So the dynamics in the dialogue are fascinating. And the non-verbal communication is perhaps even more fascinating. What is not said between the two people? I think it's quite unique in television to have basically a dialog for a whole episode, and that gives you a chance as writers, creatives, directors, actors to explore, perhaps a different rhythm to what is normally on TV shows. And I thought that was a fascinating element.

Could you tell us about your character’s situation?
We meet Kate in episode seven when Susannah stumbles upon Kate waiting for a bus in central London. And so part of our episode takes place on a London double decker. And, and at another point, they're walking by South Bank and Westminster and also Tower Bridge. They are on a journey throughout the episode. So there's quite a lot of modes of transport. It's kind of odd, in a way, to talk about Kate as a character, because the series is very plot driven and the things we know about Kate are minimal, and that fits. I think it's good that we only get to know a little bit. What we do know is that she's a psychotherapist like Susannah. She's also a friend of Susannah's, and she is in a situation which is extremely difficult because she's in deep, but she's quite ignorant of what is happening. And so, she's at a double disadvantage.  However, she's very smart and she's a survivor. This episode is a constant power battle. What you choose not to say, particularly after you've received some information, is quite strategic. And those elements are brilliant to play, to explore and to try and put across. I believe Kate is a good person in a bad situation. She's made some poor choices which have got her into a very difficult, complex and definitely life-threatening situation. I don't think Kate is in control. I think that she is beyond that now. However, she is masterful at a certain element of psychological control because of her profession, and her survival instinct means that she uses that.

How did you find working with Carolina as a director?
I loved it. I first met Carolina many, many years ago, and she was an actor, and so it was lovely to have that connection. And it's lovely to work with a director who has been an actor. Their perspective is richer as a result. So that was beautiful.