Suranne Jones has revealed that after her steamy scenes on BBC’s Gentleman Jack, she wanted to make a family-friendly show for her six-year-old son to enjoy.
The 44-year-old actress spoke on The Graham Norton Show ahead of the release of her new holiday comedy Christmas Carole.
She later revealed that on the last day of filming, she found out that actor Mark Benton – who plays her father on the new show – was actually her cousin.
Family-friendly: Suranne Jones, 44, has revealed that after her steamy scenes in BBC’s Gentleman Jack, she wanted to make a family-friendly show for her six-year-old son to enjoy
She said: “The script was so good and after Gentleman Jack, I really wanted to do a Christmas film for my six-year-old son to see.”
She gushed about the Sky comedy, which is a modern retelling of the Charles Dickens classic, saying: “It’s good and I’m so proud of it. I love it.’
Suranne welcomed her son – whose name she has not made public – in March 2016 with filmmaker husband Laurence Akers.
Saucy: The historical and saucy BBC starred Suranne (right) as Anne Lister, who develops a potentially dangerous romance with Anne Walker (Sophie Rundle, left).
Coming soon: The 44-year-old actress spoke ahead of the release of her new holiday comedy Christmas Carole on The Graham Norton Show
The historical and sassy BBC series starred Suranne as Anne Lister, who develops a potentially dangerous romance with Anne Walker (Sophie Rundle).
Set in the 1830s, the dramatization was based on Lister’s diaries, written in part in a cryptic code, and was later credited as Britain’s first ‘modern lesbian’.
Suranne looked gorgeous for her chat show appearance in a black and silver baroque dress with her brunette tresses styled into loose waves.
Family: Later on Friday’s Zoe Ball breakfast show, Suranne revealed the shock co-star Mark, 57, was actually her cousin
Festive spirit: The show’s official synopsis reads, “A businesswoman who hates Christmas has made her a fortune, but it’s made her a worse person.”
The actress also confirmed that Vigil will be returning for a second season, saying, “There will be another one, but I’m not going to be in a submarine locked in a confined space!”
Later on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show on Friday, Suranne revealed the shock that co-star Mark, 57, was actually her cousin.
“I’m actually related to him [Mark] This was so bizarre that my aunt Jean texted me and said you are actually related to Mark.
She said: “I’m actually related to him [Mark] This was so bizarre that my aunt Jean texted me and said you are actually related to Mark.
Great company: Suranne was joined on the show by Hollywood heavyweight Tom Hanks
It was the last day of shooting – because he’s playing my dad in it – and he was like what? How can you say that, but I had to go to the set – so we’re cousins by marriage.
The show’s official synopsis reads, “A businesswoman who hates Christmas made her a fortune, but it made her a worse person.”
“The truth is, Carole is a monumentally mean person, almost Scrooge-like. And just like Ebeneezer needs a Christmas lesson.
Stylish exit: Suranne donned all black after her appearance on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show
Back for more: The actress also confirmed that Vigil will be returning for a second season, saying: “There will be another one, but I won’t be in a submarine locked in a confined space!”
The series also stars Jo Brand, Nish Kumar with Jonty Stephens and Ian Ashpitel as Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise.
In April it was announced that Gentleman Jack had been canceled from HBO after just two seasons, but the BBC has confirmed they are “in talks” about his future.
The Graham Norton Show, BBC One, Friday 16 December 10.40pm and also available on BBC iPlayer.
Guests: (LR) Tom Hanks, Suranne Jones, Naomi Ackie, Graham Norton, Richard Osman and Rina Sawayama