Interview with Laura Fraser (DI Bea Metcalf)

Beatrice, or Bea to her friends, is a Detective Inspector with the City of York Police. She loves her job, you might even say she’s consumed by it, and she boasts the best clear-up rate in the county. Bea is curious, instinctive and empathetic, although she has a tendency towards disorganisation and occasional irrationality. Bea ‘shares’ custody of her 11-year-old son, Alfie, with her ex-husband, David. Alfie has behavioural issues and is a disruptive presence at school, where he’s being bullied. As Bea grows closer to Patience, professionally and personally, Bea will be forced to reassess everything in her life, from her approach to Police work to Alfie’s particular needs.

Interview

Laura Fraser – Bea Metcalf

 

Can you describe Bea to us?  Give us a little about her background and where we find her as the first episode lands...

Bea is struggling to accept her son might be autistic. She finds being a detective easier than being a mother, but as the series progresses, she starts to emerge from the denial. As she becomes closer with Patience, she softens into acceptance, and develops more of an understanding of her son.

Tell us a little about how she realises that Patience might have skills that can make her department function more efficiently?

Bea realises that Patience sees things from a different angle. She makes connections that otherwise may have been missed, and this perspective becomes invaluable to the department. 

Tonally how would you describe Patience as a drama?
I would say it's a light-hearted show, with unusual crimes being investigated each episode. Each character furthers their understanding of autism as the show progresses. 

How have you enjoyed working with the rest of the cast?

Ella and Nathan are hilarious, we had a real giggle. We started laughing on day one, and the laughing continued. 

How important is it to you that neurodiverse actors play neurodiverse roles?

I think an autistic person can portray an autistic character from the inside out, and certainly gives an interesting perspective. However, I don't think neurodiverse actors should be limited to playing only neurodiverse roles. I think good actors have imagination and empathy and can play a huge range of characters.

You were shooting in both Belgium and York.  What did you like best about both places? 

I loved the skies in Antwerp. We were there in Spring and lived by the river. Me and Ella would go by the water on our days off and do Tai Chi together.  I loved staying in York too, hearing the church bells and the birds from my window overlooking the beautiful cathedral.

Tell us about Bea's relationships with some of the other characters in particular Patience, Jake etc?

Bea finds Patience at turns intriguing and annoying. Bea is a little uncomfortable at first, and not very generous- she takes things personally, and finds Patience rude. They slowly become friends, and Bea comes to admire Patience. They continue to have misunderstandings as they navigate this new working relationship, but Bea really comes to value Patience, and finds her impressive not just as a colleague, but also an excellent friend. Bea and Jake have a good working relationship, but conflict emerges between them as Bea starts to value Patience's perspective more and more. It brings up some anxiety for Jake and takes them a while to find a new balance.