Lisa McGrillis plays Caroline McCoy

I loved Shameless and I actually auditioned for NO OFFENCE series one. So I read that first ever episode about 20 times. But, it didn’t go my way. So when the opportunity came up to audition again I leapt at it. It’s nice to be part of a show that you are a big fan of.

Caroline McCoy is a grass roots politician, and an unlikely mayoral candidate. She is driven and ambitious and very savvy. She grew up on the Cinderly estate, Viv Deering and Caroline’s mum were best friends and after Caroline’s mum died, Viv has always looked out for.

I did research the role, as naively I didn’t know that the Mayor of Manchester had such a huge responsibility. They don’t just cut ribbons and open supermarkets; they are in a great position of power and responsible for the strategic government of Greater Manchester. I looked at politicians like Nicole Sturgeon who are changing the sea of grey, middle class men that we are used to seeing in these political positions of power.

The part I played before Caroline McCoy was Kelly in Mum. These two women literally do not live in the same world! It’s always a nice challenge playing someone who is very far away from you. The clothes, hair and makeup really helped me get into character. They made me stand up straight and strong. It was quite empowering standing on a stage addressing a crowd of people and having them all in the palm of my hand. And then the director would shout ‘cut’ and they all would stop listening! It’s exhausting trying to convince people to think like you!

I love Manchester as a city. Along with Newcastle it’s one of the only other city’s outside of London I could imagine living. I filmed Hebburn in Manchester, so have lots of fond memories of nights out in the Northern quarter!