主播大秀

Guest stars - episode one

Anita Dobson plays Elaine Wanless

Anita Dobson was surprised to find that playing an ex-dominatrix in New Tricks was a moving experience.

"I thought it would be a fun part because Elaine was a bit of a Miss Whiplash, but her story turned out to be extraordinary and rather moving.

"I think Elaine was quite a girl in her day and it was too easy to fall into that kind of work. But as she started to mature, she realised she wasn't very happy. She got out and made something of herself.

"Now Elaine is a very together businesswoman and she's made a career for herself finding jobs for celebrities. She's very good with people obviously - but if there's a fight to be had, she's good at stepping forward and speaking her mind.

"So when the police come looking for her, that's what she says to them. She admits what she once was, but it's not her now."

UCOS track down Elaine when they reinvestigate the death of a barrister from 1980.

Their questions open old wounds for Elaine and transsexual Michaela Pendle (Nicholas Jones), the prime suspect in the original investigation.

"Elaine is very sure of herself up until the point where she realises she has been caught out in a crime by keeping quiet all those years ago," explains Anita.

"But the case closes the circle for Elaine and Michaela. Although it was a long time ago and they've moved on, these things never really go away.

"Elaine and Michaela obviously care a tremendous amount for each other. She's stuck by him, even though he's changed sex.

"I don't find it strange, I think it's a tribute to the woman she is - having given her love, she doesn't take it away."

New Tricks marks a rare television appearance for Anita, who has enjoyed success in the theatre in recent years, including an Olivier nomination for her performance in Frozen at the Royal National Theatre.

"I'm in the fortunate position where I don't have to work, so I've started to be brave and just do the things I want to do, like New Tricks, which was a lovely job."

Anita's husband, rock guitarist Brian May, is about to embark on a world tour after reforming Queen with new vocalist Paul Rodgers.

"Brian will be away a lot but I'm planning to go and see him at various points in the tour. They're appealing to a new generation which is wonderful."

Anita's other credits include EastEnders, The World Of Eddie Weary, Junk, The Stretch, Hearts And Bones, Urban Gothic and Split Ends.

Jenny Agutter plays Yvonne Barrie

Filming New Tricks enabled Jenny Agutter to catch up with old friends.

"I knew Dennis Waterman and Amanda Redman and I'd worked with Alun Armstrong at the RSC. We were in different teams but the same company. Alun's wonderful, terrific and very funny which makes him difficult to play any scenes with because you sometimes find yourself unable to look at him.

"Keith Barron is also in my episode and I worked with Keith in The Good Guys ages back.

"Filming was fun because it was an extremely good cast of people whom I admire - and who have a lot of twinkle."

Jenny plays Yvonne Barrie, the widow of a top barrister whose body was found bound and gagged in his car 25 years ago. His death remains a mystery and is reinvestigated by UCOS.

Explains Jenny: "Yvonne is a disappointed woman. She's wealthy and she's had lots in her life but she's turned in on herself. She hasn't come to terms with her husband's loss and she's not moving on. But she doesn't want the police to dig up the past.

"She was emotionally interesting to play, with good stuff to get one's teeth into and the script has a good blend of humour and reality."

The case dates back to 1980, when Jenny was at the height of her career in America.

"I lived in the States from the age of 20 until I got married in 1990. It was a very good time for me. There was quite a lot of work, both film and television, and I was going backwards and forwards between the States and England. In 1980 I would have been doing An American Werewolf In London.

"When I got married and had my son Jonathan, I didn't want to compromise my life. He's now 14 and at school with lots of decisions coming up. My work is changing and I really enjoy things that I can do alongside being a mother."

Jenny started acting as a child and got her big break when a TV adaptation of The Railway Children led to the famous feature film directed by Lionel Jeffries.

Her other early work includes The Cherry Orchard, Walkabout, The Snow Goose, Shelly, Logan's Run, Equus, The Man In The Iron Mask and The Eagle Has Landed.

She appeared recently in the Miss Marple TV film 4.50 From Paddington and her other television roles include The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, The Alan Clark Diaries, Spooks, Bramwell, And The Beat Goes On and the remake of The Railway Children.

Says Jenny: "I was recently given a doctorate by Bradford University, a Doctor of Letters. I have a strong association with the area because we filmed the television adaptation and Lionel's film of The Railway Children nearby. It's very nice to have because it's my only qualification!"