BBC1’s Prisoners’ Wives is back in a new four-part series from Thursday, March 14 and its star Polly Walker reveals what’s in store for gangster’s wife Francesca Miller and talks about her unusual fanbase…
When we last saw Francesca she was carrying dodgy cash for her imprisoned husband Paul. Is she going to become more involved in his underworld dealings?
"Yes! Francesca’s path isn’t very straightforward. She’s a very committed mother, but she’s strapped for cash, doesn’t have a home and trying to keep her family together under difficult challenges. The demands of teenage children, an elderly father and a husband in prison mean she’s very much out on a limb on her own. It’s a lonely existence."
Last year Francesca had an affair. Will she stay loyal to career criminal Paul (Iain Glen) this series?
"The drama for Francesca this series is whether or not she will stand by her man. I can’t say too much other than they have a complicated relationship! Francesca is a woman battling adversity. She makes mistakes, but she’s a survivor who holds things together under difficult circumstances."
Has her rocky relationship with her long-suffering father Frank (David Bradley) improved?
"I don’t think it’s easy being the father of my character! I imagine from day one it’s been a rollercoaster – and even though she’s in her 40s now, that hasn’t changed."
Did you take much persuading to return from your home in LA for a second series Prisoners' Wives?
"I was very happy to return. It’s great to be back for a second series as I enjoyed the first one enormously. Francesca is a wonderful role and there’s more to her story, so I was more than happy to return. Like Francesca I’m a Northerner so I’m very comfortable playing her."
Are you ever tempted to move back to the UK?
"I’m always tempted! I’m always a day away from going to the airport and moving back. I miss lots of things about England – especially my parents, bothers and sisters. But you go where the work takes you, that’s the nature of the beast and this is how it’s worked out."
What is the particular appeal of playing Francesca for you?
"The strength of the character and her story. She’s a woman out there in the world battling adversity. She makes mistakes and there are a lot of difficulties, but she’s a survivor. I find that very inspiring. There are lots of women out there holding it together. It’s a relevant story. I connected with it and wanted to tell it."
What sort of response have you had from fans of the first series?
" The response has been really favourable. Once on the tube a man came up to me and thought at first I was on Big Brother until he realised I was in Prisoners’ Wives. He then proceeded to tell me he was a millionaire and had just come out of prison. He said he and his mother loved the show, which gave me a warm glow!"
Have you had any unusual fan mail?
"I’ve had fan mail from inmates on death row in America periodically throughout my career, which is always a bit… wow! I’ve only had a few though – I’m not in regular contact with Death Row inmates! They were very respectful – they ask for a photograph and we send them one."
