Red Rock star Cathy Belton is a real driving force in daytime drama

WITH a wall-to-wall summer of sport, drama fans have had to live off of very slim pickings.

So Red Rock, the daytime Irish drama series about the goings-on at a cop shop not far from Dublin, has been garnering some decent reviews.

It focuses both on the Garda and the residents of the small community.

There’s an on-going feud between two families, the Kielys and the Hennessys, a dynasty whose name is above half the businesses in the town.

Cathy Belton plays real driving force Patricia Hennessy.

“She’s the brains behind the family business and the matriarch of the Hennessys,” says Cathy.

“She owns the haulage company, pub and restaurant.

“Her deceased husband, Jack, may have been the figurehead, but Patricia was the one with the brains, vision, style and ruthless drive.

“She presents a cold facade that belies inner doubt and regret.”

Despite the fact that the character is world away from herself, Cathy says she has really taken to Patricia.

“I can’t really visualise myself playing any other character in Red Rock.

“I love Patricia, I love her passion, her fight, her loyalty, her brains and flair for business and her energy.

“She is a woman to be reckoned with.

“I feel very protective of her because everything this woman does is coming from an absolute truth and honesty in herself, and for her children.”

But she says she can’t imagine behaving in the way Patricia does.

“I have never been in that situation where I had to protect my family, even if it goes against what I know is right,” she adds.

“Let’s hope I never will . . . I will save all that up for Patricia and Red Rock!”

Red Rock, BBC 2, weekdays, 1.45pm