Dundee-set detective series Traces became a sleeper hit during lockdown after the BBC picked it up following its broadcast on UK channel Alibi.
Now, stars Martin Compston and Laura Fraser are returning home once more; not just to Scotland, but to the channel where the thriller series began.
The second season of Traces arrives on Tuesday and Breaking Bad star Fraser is relishing playing forensic investigator Sarah Gordon once more. The pair are, according to Fraser, very alike.
“She can be a bit uptight and annoying, as can I, but it comes from having set ideas and wanting things to be in order,” she said.
“When they aren’t, she feels very out of control and scared, which can come out as self-righteousness or defensiveness. She’s sensitive at heart, but that doesn’t always come across.”
With Molly Windsor and Jennifer Spence leading the show, Traces has a collection of strong female characters, which Fraser found fresh compared to TV from yesteryear.
“It does feel like things are improving in the industry, and it’s definitely changed,” she added.
“It’s funny, because I was watching a show from the ’80s, and noticing how little a woman’s voice was heard – it was all what the men thought about this subject, which should have been inclusive, but there were about 40 men and three women.
“I do like that they’re never in competition with each other; they want each other to thrive. I like that dynamic. Also, I really like working with Jen, because she’s so funny, and easy to be around.”
For Line Of Duty star Compston, returning to the show was anything but a chore even despite filming restrictions. What made it easier was getting to perform with Windsor, who plays his love interest.
“The most exciting thing for me was getting to work with Molly Windsor again, she’s a phenomenal actor,” he said.
“I had a blast with her on the first series and obviously things are quite different now with Covid and the regulations.
“The whole country was in lockdown while we were filming, which made things quite different, as the first series was such a social job.
“We had such a laugh, and it was one of the friendliest jobs that I’ve ever been on.
“So, it’s been a bit different, but seeing Molly, Michael, Jennifer and Laura again…just working with all the guys again has been really, really nice.”
Traces, Alibi, Tuesday, 9pm
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