brassy lady
MICHELLE Keegan's Brassic character becomes victim of a sex attack in series two - as the show's creator insists the actress isn't just 'eye candy'.
The 32-year-old plays single mum Erin in the hit Sky One dark comedy, which returns for a second season next month.
4
Erin and her pals Vinnie, Dylan, Tommo, JJ, Ash and Cardi are all trying to survive in the fictional rural Lancashire town Hawley and make money any way they can.
While season two sees Erin become a magician's assistant in a bid to earn some cash, she is also a victim of a sex attack.
Creator and star Joe Gilgun explained how he had every faith in Michelle's ability to switch from comedy to drama in her various scenes, and why all the female characters in Brassic are integral to the show.
He told : "Often in shows they are a prop, but I didn’t want it to be about the girls being rivals or holding up another character, the boyfriend, the husband.
4
4
“We wanted girl power, and we’re going to do that again this time.
“I feel like Michelle’s really had an opportunity on this show to showcase her emotional range. She’s an unbelievable actress and we wanted her to be able to show what she’s made of.”
The sex attack occurs after Erin becomes a high class escort for a local gangster, but doesn't know whether to report the crime or not.
Joe explained: "I think a lot of women can feel embarrassed by this awful thing that’s happened to them.
"They’re made to feel that way, which is awful.
Most Read in TV & Showbiz
4
“In these scenes we wanted to remind everyone that women have a voice, but men can make them feel unsafe.
“Erin is a very strong woman, she’s a survivor. We wanted to show she’s tough.
"She’s got [son] Tyler to think of and ultimately, it’s about surviving and coping with what has happened to her.”
Brassic series two returns to Sky One on May 7 with episodes also available on Now TV.
Topics