Interview with Nina Sosanya (Leigh Henry)
Category: Press Pack ArticleHow does this series feel different?
In terms of Leigh's character, there was a big revelation about her past at the end of season one, so with this one, it's about how she moves on from that, how she goes forward with all those things she’s realised about herself and divulged to Rose (Jamie-Lee O’Donnell). We see much more of everyone’s personal needs and difficulties, as well as what they're trying to do within the workplace.
What were you most looking forward to about coming back?
Honestly, getting back with that cast and crew because they were phenomenally cool people. Everybody is very in tune with their characters and where each of them sits on the moral spectrum, so you can act between the lines because we know each other and each other's characters. It was also very strange walking back onto set, because of course it's a prison and nothing changes. That was very useful, because the second series picks up only six weeks after the last series ended and also because Leigh feels more at home there than anywhere else. It has stopped being a depressing place full of fear, because it's also full of all the other stories, laughter and warmth.
What's the fallout from Toby Phillips's (Jack Bardoe) death in Long Marsh, both psychologically and practically?
Practically, there's a shake-up in terms of how C-Wing is being monitored because it's not been performing brilliantly, despite Leigh’s best efforts. She is having to try and plaster over those cracks and prove to management and staff that she's making things work. Psychologically, she's got to make up ground again. She has managed to open up to somebody, possibly for the first time ever, but that does mean that she's now vulnerable. Her philosophy would have been that as soon as you start to trust anyone, you're open to that trust being taken for granted or even betrayed. She's trying to do that, to be a more open person and boss, because she's seen that the other way doesn't particularly work very well for her. She's not great at it, but the joy is watching her try to do these things, very sincerely, and seeing what the consequences are.
Rose is now Leigh’s protégé. Does she need to keep Rose onside after revealing so much of herself?
That is definitely part of it, but I don't know if she's consciously thinking that. However much Leigh changes or tries to grow or tries to trust, she's instinctively always going to protect herself.
It's quite a shock to see her being tactile and using Christian names with her team…
Yeah, she’s not that well practised at human relationships, so she’s going: let’s try this tactic or this strategy to see if it works. It all comes from a very real place, but whether it's going to succeed or not? That’s what's fun and interesting about all of those characters. They don't necessarily do the things you expect them to.
Has Leigh’s faith in her approach been shaken?
She fundamentally absolutely believes in what she's trying to do. In the absence of any other options, she's just doing what she can within that system. It looks like she's banging her head against a brick wall over and over and expecting something to change, but I think that's all she can do. She’s got to keep trying until something works and somebody notices.
Is there an element of her honouring Toby's memory as well, by taking on some of what he believed in?
There absolutely is. I think Leigh and Rose are both fuelled by the incident and by the guilt that each of them feels. Both feel responsible for what occurred, so it's not altogether altruistic, it's to do with trying to make up for something she did wrong.
What is Leigh's response to rumours of an undercover cop in the prison?
Her initial reaction is to protect her wing because that spells immediate danger for the undercover cop: if there is one, she knows that would not go down well with prisoners. Her first instinct isn’t, why? It's, how the hell can I find this person and get them off my wing?
How did you enjoy working with Lee Ingleby (playing Patrick Morgan)?
Brilliant. I'm a huge fan of his so I loved it. We had a lot of a lot of scenes with just the two of us and I think he's doing something interesting in Screw, something very ambiguous. You don't know where you are with his character at all.
What was the most challenging aspect of making season two?
It was cold! We went to Peterhead at the end of November, and it was snowing. Everyone bonds in the face of adversity though, so it was fun as well.
What did you make of the reaction to the first series?
It was really fascinating that you couldn't really pinpoint the demographic. It went across all sorts of viewers, which is probably a brilliant outcome. It's different enough and warm enough to attract quite a wide audience.
Have you heard anything about how it has been received in prisons?
I read an article from a former offender who was saying, rather wonderfully, that it was the most realistic portrayal of prison he'd ever seen on TV or film. Reading that, you just go: I think we did our job. It's not just one thing. Clearly being imprisoned and all the reasons for being imprisoned are as varied as all the different people that go in there, so it's good to know that we're hitting the right notes.