Katherine Devlin On Blue Lights Series 3: ‘The Stakes Are So Much Higher’
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2 days ago
The BBC's hit cop drama is back
Beloved Belfast cop drama Blue Lights returned for series 3 last night, kicking off at 9pm on BBC One (with all episodes now streaming on iPlayer). We’re back with our Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) newcomers Grace (Siân Brooke), Thomas (Nathan Braniff) and Annie (Katherine Devlin), who this series are delving into the underbelly of Belfast’s drug scene, which spans every level of society from vulnerable teenagers to wealthy business people. And while Blue Lights mainly centres on Grace – who in series 1 swaps her social worker career for police probationer – younger rookie Annie is the real scene stealer. Now two years into their front-line PSNI roles, in series 3 Annie finds herself at a juncture. We sat down with star Katherine Devlin to find out more.
‘Annie is really at a crossroads with whether the job is worth the sacrifices.’ (© Phil Sharp)
Interview: Katherine Devlin
Hi Katherine, how’s life going at the moment?
Life is gorgeous right now. I’ve discovered a new coffee shop in my area and I’ve latched onto iced oat cortados. Some useless information for you there, but life is great!
You can currently be seen in the third series of Blue Lights – what do we have in store this time around?
The bar has been raised this season. The stakes are so much higher and Annie is really at a crossroads with whether the job is worth the sacrifices. The demands of the job are seeping into every corner of her life – there’s no escaping it. Her mum’s health also starts to really deteriorate and the cracks begin to show. Trauma and grief are featured a lot this season – the impact it has on the individual and how every person deals with it so differently. I had to really delve into the psychological impact of grief and the different stages involved.
How would you describe Constable Annie Conlon?
She’s a tough nut. Hard to crack. I like that she’s really unpredictable. There’s a juiciness about her so you don’t know what to expect. She’s highly intuitive and empathetic but with a tough exterior. She’s incredibly loyal to the people she loves. I think Annie oozes an authentic Irish spirit.
Annie (KATHERINE DEVLIN) in Blue Lights series 3. (© BBC/Two Cities Television)
The Belfast setting combined with Annie’s Catholic identity creates quite a complex backdrop. How has it felt to bring that reality into the mainstream on our TV screens?
We’re only scratching the surface of Irish culture and it being featured on our screens. I never want it to be diluted, especially for film and TV. I particularly never want the characters to be diluted or moulded to cater to a universal audience. The beauty of Belfast and our culture is the authenticity. It’s steeped in history and the setting combined with Annie’s Catholic identity – only 32 percent of the PNSI are Catholic today – does create a complex backdrop. I think it’s important to show that complexity and for people to do their research on the history of it. Everything has a cause and every outcome has a story behind it.
What has it been like playing Annie for three series now? How has she changed?
She’s definitely matured with the job. I also think she takes it more seriously. She was quite naive in season one and she was still trying to figure out what career path she wanted to take. With the connections and bonds she’s made within the force, she understands why she’s there and why she wants to stay. She wants to make a difference. It’s a decision that she wouldn’t have taken lightly, especially with her Catholic background.
Do you do anything special to get into character?
I listen to a lot of Irish country music. Nathan Carter is in the mix. I initially pushed for Annie being a techno rave type of girl but she’s definitely a country woman.
Any standout moments from filming on series 3?
When we got nominated for a BAFTA whilst on set and then we came back with the BAFTA to set. The amount of love and respect I have for our crew is beyond words. Blue Lights is the show that it is because of the crew and because of people being sound. It goes a long, long way.
Aisling Byrne (DEARBHAILE McKINNEY) & Annie Conlon (KATHERINE DEVLIN) in Blue Lights series 3. (© BBC/Two Cities Television)
What is the cast dynamic on set?
We laugh a lot. Probably too much if I think about it! But because the scenes are usually very intense and hard hitting, it’s good therapy to joke around and have a laugh. I became really close to Dearbháile [McKinney] this season who plays Aisling. We have a lot of scenes together and we really leaned on each other when we needed to. She’s an incredible person and so talented.
Anything you can tease about Blue Lights series 4?
We’re back in the world of drug dealing but they’re honing in on white collar crime. The glitz and glam of a boujee private members club with a seedy history.
Are you a fan of police dramas outside of Blue Lights? What are some of your favourites?
I will be honest, I don’t watch many police dramas – but I also don’t watch that much TV either. I think though that’s why it’s so fun to be involved in Blue Lights because I never saw myself playing a cop! I do love Orange Is the New Black however – how could I forget! The acting is excellent. I also find myself gravitating towards prison documentaries too: Worlds Toughest Prisons and 60 Days In... It’s an insight into the corruption and hierarchy of prisons. Very fascinating.
Who has been your favourite actor to work with in the past?
There’s a lot of people from my drama school who are stellar actors.
Which co-star did you learn the most from?
Probably Martin McCann. He’s so nuanced and a total natural.
What’s your dream role?
I’d love to do a Celtic folk story about the Morrigan or along those lines. I love Irish mythology and witchy things.
What’s a genre you’d like to do more of?
Fantasy and Gothic horror. That’s my favourite. I’m also drawn to sad love stories. The Piano Teacher (2001) is one of my favourite films.
Who is an actor, writer or director you’d love to work with?
Robert Eggers. I also love Mia Goth and Michelle Williams.
‘I’m drawn to sad love stories.’ (© Phil Sharp)
Do you get to spend much time at home? And what do you do with your free time?
Not as much as I’d like to but I try to get home as much as I can. In my free time I just got a cat, so I’m a cat mom now. I bring her up in any situation, I’m insufferable.
Do you live in the town or the country?
I’m a bit of both – my back garden is fields but I also live in the town. Try telling Belfast people that though, they think anything that isn’t Belfast is the sticks.
Which do you prefer?
I’m a city girl at heart but I love the country to decompress.
If you could give advice to your 15-year-old self, what would it be?
Take care of your mental health as seriously as your physical health.
How can we all live a little bit better?
Empathy for others. Not just portraying that you have it on social media but actively having it in your everyday life. Also thinking for yourself and staying informed. Fiona Apple said something really important in her 1997 VMAs acceptance speech. She said, ‘You shouldn’t model your life about what you think that we think is cool and what we’re wearing and what we’re saying and everything. Go with yourself.’
Anything fun in the pipeline – professionally or personally?
I’m not sure if I’m allowed to say this but I’ve been invited to the McQueen fashion show in Paris where they will also be dressing me. I’m super excited.
‘I’m a cat mom now. I bring her up in any situation, I’m insufferable.’ (© Phil Sharp)
What Katherine Devlin Is Loving Right Now
I’m currently watching… King Kong (2005) – God I love that film!
What I’m reading… All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami
The last thing I watched (and loved) was… Wasp by Andrea Arnold. Fantastic woman.
What I’m most looking forward to seeing… Blue Lights season three? Haha!
Favourite film of all time… Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013) is up there. And the X trilogy. Also I have to say Titanic (1997). That damn violin gets me every time.
Favourite song of all time… ‘Strangers’ by Ethel Cain. Also ‘Drink Before the War’ by Sinead O’Connor.
Band/singer I always have on repeat… I’m a huge Lana Del Rey fan. I got a tattoo of ‘VB’. I also love Lady Gaga and AC/DC and rock in general. My dad is a huge fan so we were raised on it. Totally depends on my mood!
My ultimate cultural recommendation… A good rave in Belfast featuring Bicep or a trad session in Maddens with a Guinness.
Cultural guilty pleasure… St Josephs Domaghmore’s homemade scones. The only thing I miss about school! Or fresh mussels from Donegal. Can’t beat it. Also, potatoes in every form – mashed potatoes with a side of chips. Real agricultural portions.
Blue Lights airs Monday nights at 9pm on BBC One. All episodes are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
