Vicky McClure highlights working-class representation in new series
Vicky McClure is set to return to the screen in the fourth series of “Trigger Point,” where she portrays explosives officer Lana Washington, a role she took on after noting the underrepresentation of women in the field, reports BritPanorama.
McClure, who rose to fame for her portrayal of DCI Kate Fleming in the acclaimed series “Line of Duty,” has long advocated for working-class representation in film and television. “Working-class actors are struggling for work because there isn’t enough work,” she stated, underscoring the need for more stories told from the perspective of working-class individuals. Notably, research from 2024 indicated that 35 percent of Bafta-nominated actors were privately educated, compared to just 7 percent of the wider UK population.
While acknowledging the importance of statistics, McClure emphasizes the emotional aspect of storytelling, expressing concern over a perceived regression in opportunities for working-class actors. “What I feel is we’re going backwards again,” she remarked. The impact of her roles is significant; in her work on “Trigger Point” and “This Is England,” she has been part of casts that reflect these realities.
In “Trigger Point,” McClure’s character grapples with PTSD, an experience she described as crucial to authentically portraying the complexities of such trauma. “I feel like if you have that option, you can really capture some moments that are probably harder to put into a script because it’s natural to just want to keep the story moving,” she explained.
Her previous works extend beyond action roles; her participation in Dominic Savage’s “I Am…” series showcases her versatility. McClure starred in the inaugural episode, which dealt with themes of coercive control—an issue still prevalent today, as evidenced by the police recording nearly 50,000 offences in England and Wales in the last year.
Inevitably, our conversation turned to “Line of Duty,” a significant part of McClure’s career. After the show’s finale in 2022, its upcoming return has generated considerable interest. “I’m fresh out of Belfast; we only finished filming two weeks ago,” McClure revealed. The new series will shift the focus of the beloved AC-12 team, now titled the “Inspectorate of Police Standards,” as they investigate allegations against a detective inspector.
While details remain under wraps, McClure remains optimistic about the script, echoing her co-stars’ sentiments. “All I can say is I believe – and Martin and Adrian have said the same – that Jed’s written the best script,” she stated, hinting at a complex narrative ahead.
“Trigger Point” begins tonight at 9pm on ITV, offering another opportunity for McClure to explore genuinely nuanced stories within British television.
