Bronagh Waugh: Complex Characters
humanity
Lessons in
On screen, actor Bronagh Waugh doesn’t shy away from complex characters. As Sally-Ann Spector, wife of a serial killer in The Fall, and Jessica Reid, whose twin sister had gone missing in Unforgotten, Bronagh celebrates the unique opportunity that these dramas give us to examine the shared experience of grief, pain and anger. Off-screen and onto the streets, she is a fierce campaigner for LGBT+ and human rights. Here we talk about the catharsis found in gritty dramas, and how each and every one of us can help bang the drum for equality Writing | Kathryn Wheeler
You’ve worked on several gritty crime dramas, including ITV’s Unforgotten. What attracts you to these kinds of roles? I watched Unforgotten as an audience member before I heard about the job, and when I read the script I just loved the character of Jessica – it really resonated with me. With these kinds of stories, you often forget that this family have to live with whatever has happened, with all these unanswered questions, and life kind of stands still for them. I find that incredibly moving. 38 • happiful • October 2018
Stand up for the small injustices. It’s all part of the bigger picture Do you think storylines like these can help a viewer who has been through a similar experience? That’s the beauty of drama; you can tell stories of people who often don’t feel represented. We want people to
