Jane Horrocks on the lessons she’s learnt playing a paramedic in series two of Bloods

Virgin Radio

15 Mar 2022, 11:21

Actress Jane Horrocks is back in series two of emergency services sitcom Bloods, and while chatting to Chris Evans on the Breakfast Show with Sky, she explained what’s new this year, and why mental health takes a front seat in the ambulance this time around. 

Jane has swapped the glamour of Absolutely Fabulous to star as wholesome and overly-friendly paramedic Wendy, who is paired up with Samson Kayo’s Maleek. The pair have to quickly adjust to life in an ambulance together despite being total opposites. 

Of their relationship, Jane told Chris: “Somehow they managed to gel and what's lovely about the second series is that they have really kind of bedded in and, you know, really trust each other, and they are great companions for each other.”

Getting back into character, Jane relied on the real-life paramedics on set to bring their experience and expertise to the role. 

She explained: “There's so many paramedic programmes, documentary programmes on television that you can draw from as well. But they did talk to a lot of real paramedics. And also we have paramedics on set as well around us. So we were very immersed in that world, which, you know, was fantastic. And, yeah, I mean, even more respect for them.”

While she admitted it’s ‘not a job I would like to do’, Jane did get a sense of how paramedics also deal with the mental health aspect of the job. Series two will introduce Katherine Kelly’s mental health counsellor, but will be met with hesitancy from the medical teams. 

On what the paramedics face, Jane explained: “They're actively encouraged not to think about where they're about to go to, or what they're about to see, and to talk about something trivial, so that when they actually get to that place, their adrenaline kicks in, and they can fire on all cylinders, rather than having anticipated what was what's about to come. 

“So they are sort of, you know, given lots of kind of real, brilliant tips on how to help them. But indeed, the counselling side of it shouldn't be overlooked, either. Because, you know, I'm sure that a lot of them take some stuff home with them, because it's pretty tough stuff.”

Series two of Bloods begins on Wednesday 16th March at 10pm on Sky Comedy. 

For more great interviews listen to The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, weekdays from 6:30am on Virgin Radio, or catch up on-demand here.