Video Interview: Sharon D Clarke Talks Inspector Ellis

Three-time Olivier Award winner and Tony Award nominee Sharon D Clarke returns to the TV screen in the detective drama Inspector Ellis. The first episode debuted yesterday on Acorn TV, and the three-parter sees Clarke take on the titular role as DCI Ellis, a tenacious Black female cop who is parachuted into failing investigations. She is joined in each feature-length episode by her “right-hand man” DS Harper, played by Andrew Gower. Ellis is used to being dismissed and overlooked despite being a first-class murder detective, and as she arrives at a different police station in each episode, will have to win over the local teams and immerse herself in the cases she’s come to solve. The atmospheric police procedural is being taken out globally by All3Media International.

Clarke sits down with TV Drama Weekly to talk about the tenderness and strength in the character of DCI Ellis and the privilege it has been to bring this to life on screen.