She recently revealed she’ll be fronting a new ITV drama, titled No Return, that is set to air next year in 2022.
And stepping out on set as filming kicked off in Manchester on Monday, Sheridan Smith debuted a new ankle tattoo reading ‘Peace is my priority’ following her recent split from fiancé Jamie Horn.
The actress, 40, seemed in high spirits while back on set and was seen flashing a smile as she got herself ready to film new scenes.
New tattoo? Sheridan Smith debuted a new ankle tattoo reading ‘Peace is my priority’ as she returned to work on the set of No Return following her recent split from fiancé Jamie Horn
Dressed in character, Sheridan looked lovely in a printed black and white shirt, leggings and tan sandals.
Sheridan’s tattoo, which appeared to be new, could be seen just above her ankle – it’s not know if it’s part of her character or an inking she has had etched in recent months.
Sheridan already has a number of tattoos, including a pair of angel wings on one wrist and a butterfly alongside the quote ‘this too shall pass ‘ on the other, as well as a huge floral design on her shoulder and a large lotus on her thigh.
Speaking in 2019, Sheridan addressed her decision to get several tattoos, following the death of her dad Colin in 2016.
Looking good: The actress, 40, seemed in high spirits while back on set and was seen flashing a smile as she got herself ready to film new scenes
Inked up: Sheridan’s tattoo was visible during filming and sat just above her ankle on the outside of her leg – it’s not known if it’s part of her character or a new tattoo she has
Struggling to cope with her grief, she experienced a mental breakdown while starring in Funny Girl in the West End in 2018.
She told Stella magazine: ‘The reason I went out and got all these tattoos two years ago was because I thought no one was ever going to give me a job again.
‘I wanted to plaster myself in tattoos that meant something to me, but also that I thought meant I would never be employed again because you are not meant to have body markings in the theatre.
‘It was my way of self-destructing but giving myself a reason for it. My mum went berserk at me.’
Tat’s the way: Sheridan already has a number of tattoos including a butterfly on her wrist underneath the quote: ‘This too shall pass’
Body art: The theatre star also ha a huge floral design on her shoulder, with Sheridan previously admitting she turned to tattoos while struggling with her mental health
Stylish: Dressed for her new role, Sheridan looked lovely in a black and white printed shirt
Care to share? She was seen joking with her make-up artist and close friend Lesley Brennan as she received touch ups to her make-up ahead of stepping in front of the camera
In a previous interview with Radio Times, Sheridan added that her make-up artist often covers her tattoos for work while she also ‘wears cardigans a lot’.
She said: ‘I was not in a good place. My mum went berserk! Maybe in my head I just wasn’t going to act any more. I was in this mad little world.
‘Why should the whole world have a right to look at me? But then I got better and thought: “Oh, I’m an idiot! Of course I’m going back to acting!”
‘Now my make-up artist has ordered a product from America that covers the tattoos. And I wear cardigans a lot!’
Joke’s on you: Sheridan was seen in a fit of giggles as a crew member was seen attending to her and rearranging her stage outfit prior to her shooting scenes
While on set, Sheridan was seen with her short blonde locks in a voluminous style, parted to the side, and she was sporting a glam make-up look, courtesy of her make-up artist and close friend Lesley Brennan.
Lesley, who was wearing a protective visor, was on hand to touch up Sheridan’s make-up in between takes, with the friends spotted laughing and joking together while ensuring the star was camera ready.
Sheridan was also seen being attended to by a member of the crew, who adjusted her outfit prior to the camera’s rolling.
Excited to be filming, Sheridan was seen beaming from ear-to-ear as production took place at The Printworks in Manchester city cetre and Mackie Mayor Indoor Market – where Sheridan filmed scenes alongside her co-star and comedian Rufus Hound, who plays a private investigator in the series.
No Return is a new four-part series, recently announced by ITV, that follows a woman named Kathy, played by Sheridan, her husband Martin (played by Quiz star Michael Jibson) and their 16-year-old son Noah (Louis Ashbourne Serkis – son of Andy Serkis) as they jet off to Turkey, only to find themselves on the holiday from hell.
Excited: The mum-of-one toted a pale pink bag over one shoulder and wore her short locks in a voluminous style, parted over to one side
Pep in her step: When not filming, Sheridan opted for comfort and switched her sandals for a comfy pair of black and white hi-top trainers
The drama has been penned by Danny Brocklehurst, who previously wrote Netflix series The Stranger, and also stars Sherlock star Sian Brooke as Megan – the sister of Sheridan’s character Kathy.
Setting the scene in a press release, ITV has shared: ‘[The family’s] holiday is a chance to unwind and for Kathy and Martin to spend some much-needed time together. Until unsuspecting Noah accepts a seemingly innocent invitation to a beach party from a fellow holidaymaker, Rosie (Jodie Campbell), who is staying at the same hotel.
‘Suddenly Kathy and Martin’s world spectacularly falls apart when they are left desperately fighting for their son’s freedom against extremely challenging circumstances.
‘An arrest, an expensive and alien legal system, looming media coverage and resistance from fellow holidaymakers to come to their aid leaves the distraught parents fighting for Noah’s freedom when ironically he should be at school sitting his latest exams.’
Exciting: No Return stars Sheridan as mum Kathy who ends up on the ‘holiday from hell’ with her husband and 16-year-old son
Grateful: Sheridan told fans she is so ‘grateful’ to be a part of the four-part series, which she teased is going to be ‘amazing’ (pictured above with make0up artist Lesley)
A while to wait: Fans will have to hold on until next year, as No Return isn’t expected to hit TV screens until 2022 (pictured above: Sheridan with pal Lesley)
Star-studded: Joining Sheridan in the drama are the likes of Sherlock’s Sian Brooke, Quiz star Michael Jibson and Louis Ashbourne Serkis – whose father is actor Andy Serkis
No Return began filming earlier this month, with Sheridan telling fans on Instagram she is so ‘grateful’ to be a part of the drama.
As day one of filming kicked off on 12 July, she penned: ‘This is an AMAZING drama, so grateful to be part of it!’
Filming will no doubt come as a welcome distraction for Sheridan, who confirmed her split from ex-fiancé Jamie just weeks earlier.
She and Jamie, who share 14-month old son Billy, revealed their decision to part ways in a statement shared to The Sun.
It read: ‘It is with great sadness that we have decided to have some time apart.
Good spirits: Sheridan marked being back filming on Instagram as she took to her story to try out different filters with friend Lesley
Behind-the-scenes: Sheridan was seen joking around with Lesley in between takes
Loving it: The women were playing around with different filters while waiting around on set
‘We both remain completely committed to raising our beautiful boy Billy together. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time. Thank you.’
News of their split came just a year after the couple welcomed their first child, son Billy, together in May last year.
A source told OK! magazine at the time: ‘Sheridan is struggling to get through the split. She put him out there for everyone to see and she really thought he was The One.’
It was also claimed the split brought back the pain Sheridan felt after losing her father Colin who passed away in 2016 following a battle with cancer.
Split: Sheridan confirmed her split from ex-fiancé Jamie Horn weeks before filming started
Family: The former couple split just over a year after welcoming their son Billy in May 2020
They said: ‘She had the public falling out with his mother and they got through all of that, but sadly it hasn’t worked out. She’s devastated. This has brought back all the feelings of missing her dad because he was her tower of strength.
‘In her heart she’s hoping they can make it right, but it doesn’t look like there’s any way back. They have a baby together and it’s tough. She’s heartbroken.’
Sheridan and Jamie first began dating in 2018 after meeting on Tinder and reportedly got engaged after just three months together.
Jamie is said to have proposed to Sheridan in May 2018 with a £10,000 ring, and the couple were residing in a rented property in North London together.
They both appeared in a one-off ITV documentary, titled Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum, which was released in 2020 and followed Sheridan’s pregnancy.
All over: Sheridan and Jamie first started dating in 2018 after meeting on Tinder