She’s about to become a household name – after taking on Nicola Walker’s role in the popular ITV series Unforgotten.
However, Sinéad Keenan, 45, has admitted she initially turned down the chance to replace the beloved British actress, 52, who played DCI Cassie Stuart in the crime drama until she was killed off at the end of the fourth series.
Dublin-born Sinéad is set to feature alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar in the fifth series – starting on Monday – as new arrival DCI Jessica ‘Jessie’ James.
But confessing her doubts about taking on the role at first, she told The Mirror: ‘I got a phone call from from my agent to say that people from Unforgotten have been on the phone and they want to give the script to three actors – you’re one of them, would I read it.
‘I said, “Thank you very much, no… who’s going to be the gobsh*** to follow Nicola Walker”‘. But after her agent encouraged her to read it, Sinéad admitted: ‘The story was so compelling and then it was a no brainer.’
Sinéad Keenan as DCI Jessica James and Sanjeev Bhaskar as DI Sunny Khan. Sinéad Keenan, 45, has admitted she initially turned down the chance to replace the beloved British actress, 52, who played DCI Cassie Stuart in the crime drama until she was killed off at the end of the fourth series
Dublin-born Sinéad is set to feature alongside Sanjeev Bhaskar in the fifth series – starting on Monday – as new arrival DCI Jessica ‘Jessie’ James.
Sinéad was born and raised in Dublin – and while she doesn’t come from an acting family, all three of her parents’ children have gone into the entertainment industry.
Her brother, Rory, 42, was in 2022’s acclaimed Channel 4 drama Somewhere Boy and is married to Bond girl actress Gemma Arterton.
‘People think we must be loud and obnoxious and “jazz hands”, and we’re not. In real life we’re quite dull,’ Sinéad told The Telegraph of her family.
The actress studied history and sociology at University College Dublin rather than heading to drama school – and apparently promised her parents that she would find a ‘proper job’ if her acting career didn’t take off.
But thankfully, in 1999 she won a part in Sunburn, playing Cillian Murphy’s girlfriend. A regular role as a barmaid in a Dublin-set soap, Fair City, followed.
Sinéad’s breakthrough role came in BBC Three’s Being Human – the supernatural comedy-drama with Russell Tovey (pictured together) and Aidan Turner
Her brother, Rory, 42, was in 2022’s acclaimed Channel 4 drama Somewhere Boy and is married to Bond girl actress Gemma Arterton (pictured together in 2018)
Her breakthrough role came in BBC Three’s Being Human – the supernatural comedy-drama with Russell Tovey and Aidan Turner.
But Sinéad had previously always believed she’d be cast as the ‘sister or best friend’, and never lead, largely due to her 5ft 1.5in figure, according to the publication.
‘I went for a role a few years ago as a prison guard. Ridiculous! I would be overwhelmed in a minute,’ she admitted.
Sinéad, who is based in Stratford-upon-Avon with her husband, theatre director Chris McGill, and their two sons, won a Royal Television Society Best Actress award and a Bafta nomination for her part in the TV mini series Little Boy Blue (2017).
Unforgotten is her biggest role yet – but the actress – who has also featured in Channel 4’s Derry Girls – insisted there should be more leading roles for women.
Unforgotten (pictured) is her biggest role yet – but the actress – who has also featured in Channel 4’s Derry Girls – insisted there should be more leading roles for women
Sinéad (pictured in 2019), who is based in Stratford-upon-Avon with her husband, theatre director Chris McGill, and their two sons, won a Royal Television Society Best Actress award and a Bafta nomination for her part in the TV mini series Little Boy Blue (2017)
Speaking on This Morning about her character in Unforgotten, Sinéad (pictured) said: ‘An hour before she starts her new job, she gets some news, which completely blindsides her’
She said: ‘People go, “Oh, look at Happy Valley”, and it’s brilliant, but it’s one. Just one. Also, there can be terrible snobbery about soaps, but they do much better with representation, in terms of gender parity and a greater swathe of ages.
‘Those shows have matriarchs, and they’re watched by millions. So, producers and commissioners, take note.’
Speaking on This Morning about her character in Unforgotten, Sinéad said: ‘An hour before she starts her new job, she gets some news, which completely blindsides her.
‘So, when we first see her with the team, she is not firing on all cylinders, which you know, adds insult to injury for them because they’re grieving the loss of a loved colleague and friend, and then they choice this e****, as far as they’re concerned.’
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