Siân Brooke: 'I can't say anything about my Channel 4 show, it terrified me'

Siân Brooke, a 46-year-old actress, sat down with Metro to talk about her latest project, and it quickly became apparent that she's eager to explore a new genre: period drama. "I'd like to dress up in corsets," she says with a hint of excitement, "give me a week, and I'll be like, untie me!" This desire to try something different is a departure from her work on the Channel 4 spy series The Undeclared War, where she joins the cast as Barbara, the wife of Simon Pegg's character and a former spy proficient in Mandarin.

The second season of The Undeclared War premieres tonight, with Brooke hitting the ground running in her new role. Despite not being fluent in Mandarin, she was quick to learn and threw herself into the character's world. Her research took her to GCHQ, where she spoke with individuals working at the organisation. "You never get to do that in real life," she notes, "even if it seems like a sobering experience." Brooke's understanding of the inner workings of GCHQ has given her a new appreciation for the complexities of warfare. "It's much more covert, online," she says, "but it was terrifying to really understand the damage that can happen."

The Undeclared War is a show that thrives on tension and suspense, and Brooke's character is at the heart of it all. As a former spy married to a fellow GCHQ analyst, Barbara is part of a world where secrets are paramount. "They call it 'compartment'," Brooke explains, "I found that one of the most intriguing things." This concept of compartmentalism, where individuals separate their work and personal lives, is a theme that resonates with Brooke. "I definitely do not live within the realms of compartmentalism," she says, highlighting the challenges of balancing her own life with the demands of her character.

Brooke's desire to explore period drama is a sharp contrast to the gritty realism of The Undeclared War. "I'm quite greedy," she admits, "I really like doing something that throws me in the opposite direction from the one that I've just been coming from." This willingness to take risks and try new things is evidence of her versatility as an actress. Whether she'll succeed in her bid to land a period drama role remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Siân Brooke is an actress who is not afraid to take a leap into the unknown.

• Siân Brooke joins the cast of The Undeclared War as Barbara, the wife of Simon Pegg's character
• The second season of The Undeclared War premieres tonight on Channel 4
• Brooke researched her role by speaking with individuals at GCHQ
• The show explores the theme of compartmentalism, where individuals separate their work and personal lives

As I reflect on Brooke's conversation with Metro, one thing stands out: her willingness to take risks and try new things is a hallmark of a talented actress. Whether she succeeds in landing a period drama role remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Siân Brooke is an actress who is not afraid to take a leap into the unknown. With her versatility and willingness to push boundaries, she's an exciting talent to watch.