Kelly Macdonald has spoken of her dread at filming the iconic Line of Duty interview scenes.
The Trainspotting star will appear as DCI Joanne Davidson in the new series of the BBC drama, which airs its first episode on Sunday night.
DCI Davidson attracts the attention of AC-12 while investigating an unsolved murder.
She features in some of the notoriously intense interview scenes, and Kelly admits they were tough but rewarding to work on.
Speaking in the Radio Times, she said: "The interview scenes filled me with the most dread but I really enjoyed them. One of them was longer than anything I’ve done before – I think it’s more than half an hour.
"We filmed it over two days and on the first day, the cameras were only on my character. I was told there were 50 cameras set up on me just in that one day, which is mind-blowing.
“It was like doing a play and it was a real treat to have that kind of material in one scene.”
Kelly, who has also featured in hits such as No Country for Old Men and Boardwalk Empire, says she had not seen Line of Duty before landing the role, but was very aware of it.
She added: "I was sent the first couple of scripts and the part was phenomenal.
“It’s so daunting going into a show with such a huge profile but I started watching it and got completely hooked.
“When we were near the beginning of filming, I was halfway through Thandie Newton’s series and the nerves started to creep in so I stopped. I still have some episodes to catch up on.”
She said: "I love the fact it’s all business, with no time to spare on the coppers’ personal lives.
“I love the jargon, I love DC Arnott’s odd diction and Kate’s knitwear, and I love Hastings’ flawed heroism. I have, over the course of five seasons, loved every corrupt guest star.”
Line of Duty returns to BBC One on Sunday at 9pm.
