Sherlock star Louise Brealey is all set for the stage at Citizens Theatre

Louise Brealey’s slap was a big hit with Sherlock fans.

Sherlock star Louise Brealey is laughing about the slaps she inflicted on co-star Benedict Cumberbatch in last Sunday’s episode.

“They were quite hard, weren’t they?” says Louise, who plays the besotted Molly in the smash-hit show.

“They were real slaps. Benedict asked me to do it, although I tried to cup my hand. I mentioned to him beforehand that I can’t judge distance very well, so I was a little nervous! People sent me messages after the episode aired asking if I cut my hand on his cheekbones!”

The 34-year-old actress is still coming to terms with being part of an internationally-renowned show.

“I just went up for the job like any other,” she explains.

“I could see it was well written and there was a good team involved. It all just worked out. It’s a phenomenon. Series four is confirmed but I have no idea when it will film.

“But this series has been great, because Molly’s character has grown a lot. I got to slap and snog Benedict, making me the envy of thousands.”

Louise has been a regular on stage and the small screen for years. Her big break was in Casualty, playing Roxanne Bird for three years. But her performance as Molly has launched her to a new level of fame.

“A young lady came over to me on the train the other day and asked me what it was like to kiss Benedict! I feel humbled by the way the fans have taken my character to heart. I feel very lucky and I still can’t believe I’m

in it.”

With the latest series of Sherlock now in the archives, Louise is in Glasgow to rehearse for her debut performance at the Citizens Theatre, where she’ll star in a new version of Strindberg’s Miss Julie.

The story of an upstairs-downstairs liaison between an aristocrat and her father’s butler has been relocated to 1920’s Scotland.

“I did a play at The Tron in Glasgow about six years ago,” continues Louise, who has also worked as a journalist and wrote a play last year. It was terrific, but I had never set foot in the Citizens before. It has such a great reputation in London, but I had no idea how beautiful it is.”

“I love being on stage and I feel it’s where I can be most challenged.”

Miss Julie is at the Citizens from February 6-15.