Picture Credits (l-r): ITV, ITV, Channel 4
Picture Credits (l-r): ITV, ITV, Channel 4

Having appeared in some of Britain’s biggest dramas over the years, Keeley Hawes has established herself as one of TV’s best-loved actresses, taking on a multitude of leading roles in tense TV dramas and light-hearted comedies alike. To celebrate the release of Finding Alice, available to own on DVD from 26th April, we are taking a look back at some of Keeley Hawes’ best roles to date…

The Durrells (2016-2019)

Picture Credit: ITV
Picture Credit: ITV

Loosely based on naturalist and zookeeper, Gerald Durrell’s autobiographical novels, the ITV comedy-drama The Durrells saw Keeley Hawes take on the role of Gerald’s mother, Louisa Durrell.

Following the death of her husband, in 1935, Louisa Durrell unexpectedly moves she and her four children from Bournemouth to the Greek island of Corfu. Written by Finding Alice writer, Simon Nye, the series follows the true events of the Durrell family as tensions unfold whilst they attempt to adapt to life on the small island.

Line Of Duty (2014-2016)

Picture Credit: BBC
Picture Credit: BBC

Since we are in the midst of the nail biting sixth series of Line of Duty, it is only fitting that we reflect on Keeley’s appearance in the hit drama series.

Line of Duty follows firearms officer, DS Steve Arnott (Marin Compston), as he is transferred to the Anti-Corruption Unit 12 (AC-12) and partnered with DC Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure). Together they investigate and uncover corruption within the Central Police Force.

Throughout the series the pair discover the true extent of corruption present within the police force and their deep-rooted links to organised crime. Throughout Seasons 2 and 3, Keeley took on the role of Detective Inspector Lindsay Denton who comes under suspicion after a police convoy that she was in charge of is ambushed, leaving her as the only survivor...

Bodyguard (2018)

Picture Credit: BBC
Picture Credit: BBC

In 2018 Keeley took up an iconic role as the ruthless and ambitious Home Secretary Julia Montague, alongside Richard Madden, in the hit political thriller, Bodyguard.

The six-part drama centres around Police Sergeant David Budd (Richard Madden), a volatile former Afghanistan war veteran, suffering from PTSD, who is working for the Royalty and Specialist Protection Branch of London’s Metropolitan Police Service.

After being assigned as the principal protection officer to Motague, Sergeant Budd finds himself caught in the middle of the secrets and criminal activity that surrounds the Home Secretary.

It’s A Sin (2021)

Picture Credit: Channel 4
Picture Credit: Channel 4

From the creators of Finding Alice, It’s a Sin was one of the biggest TV series of the year, with the first episode becoming Channel 4’s biggest drama launch to-date.

Set in 1980s London, the informative, funny and heartbreaking mini-series follows the lives of a group of gay men who move to London at the beginning of the UK HIV/AIDs crisis. Over the period of a decade, we see the trials and tribulations that face Ritchie (Olly Alexander), Roscoe (Omari Douglas) and Colin (Callum Scott Howells) as their lives are turned upside-down by the crisis.

With its emotional scenes coupled with funny moments, this triumph of a series deserved its accolade as this years best loved TV drama.

Finding Alice (2021)

Picture Credit: ITV
Picture Credit: ITV

Co-created by Keeley herself, ITV’s six-part comedy/drama series Finding Alice has her reuniting with The Durrells writer, Simon Nye.

Starring Keeley as the titular Alice Dillion, the series follows Alice as her life turns to disarray following the sudden death of her husband Harry (Jason Merrells). Left to care for their teenage daughter, Charlotte (Isabella Pappas), Alice discovers that her husband was not the man she thought she once knew, as he leaves behind a multitude of secrets, including debt and crime, for her to confront.

With a star-studded cast, including Joanna Lumley and Nigel Havers playing Alice’s parents Sarah and Roger, Finding Alice follows Alice as she is faced with an unusual journey through grief uncovering the secrets that her husband left behind.

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