NICOLA WALKER

A Girl Next Door Nicola Walker is the proverbial “girl next door”, pretty but not beautiful, sexy yet certainly not an outrageous flirt. She told the Guardian “people rarely recognise me. The embarrassing thing is that you’ll be on the tube and someone will say: “I know your face, what have you been in?” So, you very quietly have to say: “Well, did you watch Spooks?” “Nah, don’t watch Spooks.” “OK, um, do you watch Last Tango in Halifax?” “Oh no, I don’t watch much telly,” and then you’re left sort of just reading out your CV on the Central line. One woman threw her arms around me and said: “Oh god, I thought you were my friend, but you’re off Last Tango.” That was nice.

Gobsmacked Does that “jokey” demeanor hide a hidden complexity, is the lady as intriguing as she seems? Your basic psychic would sense Nicola is not just a pretty face, but the only way Miss Marple could resolve the Nicola "crime scene" is to check in with the stars. This is a Taurus lady who oozes working class aplomb; her family emigrated to Essex . "I’m a proper Essex girl because my family was part of that great exodus from the East End. We’re gob smacked by how trendy it is now.” As trendy as you are Nicola? Chalk from Cheese Kismet, Fate, or Karma, call it what you will, ensured Nicola always knew she wanted to be an actress even though her family was as far from “the thespian ”as chalk is from cheese.“ Her dad is a

scrap metal merchant turned publican and her mother “did up houses before there were interior designers” – they encouraged their daughter.” Nicola was born with the Moon in Virgo; a combo that talks of determination, will power even down right obstinacy. The type of lass who emanates chutzpah. In fact, you can place all your bets on Nicola, she will never let you down... Ever! Add a smattering of her Scorpio in Neptune's ultra-perception and you have the makings of an award winning, BAFTA nominated actor who can communicate to everyone on screen and off, hence those weird conversations on the Central Line. From irritating folk singer in Four Weddings and a Funeral to a starring role in the super spy drama ‘Spooks’

“I feel quietly hopeful for this phase of my life. I’m really pleased that I feel like I’m in the right job – and I still love doing it!”

from 2003-11, Nicola has managed to keep her name up in lights. She can be anyone, and to boot she ensures peace reigns on set and off! Harmony is the key, love is her answer; she is protective of her private life, she has solid values. “I know my strengths, but I’m not comfortable talking about my family – I love them so much and it’s something I want to protect. My husband says I’m a grumpy lioness.” It must have been hard to spend time away from her actor husband Barnaby Kay and her son Harry, whilst filming “Last Tango in Halifax. “ She told the Express she felt guilty, and did not expect the show to run for three years. Could a grounded Mercury in Taurus be the reason Nicola is able to take on all the challenges of a committed acting career? Some would answer "without a doubt." She did Broadway in a View from the Bridge, a divorce lawyer in The Split, and a lesbian vicar in Collateral, a BBC Netflix crime drama alongside Carey Mulligan, and Billie Piper. Saturn, also in Taurus, ensures she has the stamina to fly high on that star-studded, hog. She told the Scotsman “There’s not been a plan,” she says. “It’s just being an actor, and I’m really grateful that in the last few years the parts have got really interesting. I love that it’s since I hit my forties. I’m getting involving parts because there are people out there that want to tell more complex stories about women and men.....” Positivity is obviously Nicola's “Raison d'Etre!”

Yet, underneath that “together” exterior there beats the heart of a Taurus style Playgirl, the kind of dame who loves your basic joke, a barrel of laughs; the life and soul of the party whether it be with family or fellow thespians. Nicola knows she is lucky; she told the Express “I feel a sense of relief that there is still work out there for us!” But, hey Nicola it was your talent that won the Olivier Award in 2013 for best supporting actress in The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time.” Nicola might not have "gotten the picture" yet? She apparently has not understood she is a legend due to her super performances in Spooks and Unforgotten, a crime drama Primadonna if you will, perfect as the star of UKTV channel's “Alibi” a six-part series, and more than a fitting role for the Olivier Award Winner. A show not to be missed of course, but really, who would want to miss out on Nicola?