Lyndsey Marshall stars as Lady Sarah Hill in BBC1’s 18th century court drama Garrow’s Law, but she reveals a very interesting bedmate on her latest movie! We’re definitely seeing more of Lady Sarah this series aren’t we? “It’s great as I get to do a lot more. Last year I did some really nice scenes. This year it’s a bit more gritty, and a bigger emotional range with the possible break up of Sarah’s marriage. She’s got a little boy now, but she’s basically left with nothing – if it goes her husband’s way. She’ll be left with no house, no money, no child and she’s in this marooned land where she’s not allowed to marry anyone else. She also can’t work so she can’t support herself. The kind of divorce he wants to put on her is the worst one, because Arthur hates her.” What’s it like wearing the corset and large hats? “It makes you hold yourself in a different way. Wearing a corset 12 hours a day – it does start to change your shape. Everything seems to get pushed down. Either that or I’m eating too much cake! You can feel the difference. It pulls in your waist and it changes how you sit. You can’t slouch or it’s quite painful! My hats are so heavy! Sometimes it’s like having a boat on my head! It’s gets hot filming, so I use my fans loads.” Has she fallen out of love with Arthur and in love with Garrow? “I feel she loves them both - it’s not as black and white. She still loves her husband, but she’s met someone else who’s she’s fallen in love with. It’s more interesting as well I think as it’s a battle about what she does rather than the audience just thinking she should just leave him." Would you say this new series is more about their personal lives? “Yes. Before there was so much in the court, but the show has been opened out. She’s not involved in the cases as much. Last year I had two weeks of just being in the court observing. This time it’s more about the breakdown of the marriage and her son.” She does seem to be a bit rebellious doesn’t she? “She’s definitely a woman out of her time. She’s progressive and I think that’s the match with Garrow as he allows her to have those thoughts whereas Arthur’s a bit more stifling and doesn’t want her to go out or go to work or be in the court. She and Garrow are two like-minded people who are both passionate to fight injustice. There’s a physical attraction, but also an attraction of minds.” What can you tell us about your new film Hereafter, directed by Clint Eastwood? “It came out in October in America, but later here. I play a heroin addict with twin boys and I look awful! It’s a three-strand story – an American section, a French section and a London section, which I’m in. It was an interesting experience and great to be working with someone as legendary as Clint Eastwood.” Did he cast you? Is he part of casting process? “He does cast, but he doesn’t meet anyone. I asked him why he doesn’t meet people and he said he’d want to give everyone part and he couldn’t bear it! He’s an actor too, so is very sympathetic! I think it’s quite sweet of him too as if you went into a room for an audition and saw him there you probably wouldn’t be able to speak. He’s quite intimidating the first time you see him.” What do you remember about the first time you saw Clint? “It was on set. I do remember the day, as I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. It was crazy. It’s like meeting Marilyn Monroe or James Dean, someone you’ve grown up with – a legend - and my dad was a huge fan. Then you just walk up the stairs and he’s stood there and it’s really strange and he’s so nice – couldn’t be nicer. Also because he’s an actor, how he directs you is fantastic. I had a strange time one day as I had to lie on a bed for one scene as I was supposed to be completely out of it. I thought everyone had gone off set as I could hear them in the next room and then I turned round and Clint was just lying next to me on the bed. I was like ‘oh my God!’ I said are you OK and he said I’m just thinking! I wanted someone to take a picture!” The film could open a career in US for you. How would you feel about that? “I don’t mind – it would be nice! Any work that’s good work is great. I did Rome for HBO. It’s a long way from home though. You do feel very far away. Skype saved my life!” Is that the end of you in Being Human? “I think that’s it as I had a stake through the heart in the last episode, but then everyone was like, that doesn’t mean anything! You could come back as a ghost! I loved doing Being Human.” *Garrow's Law screens on BBC1, Sunday, 9pm
