With her trademark red hair, flamboyant fashion sense and razor-sharp wit, restaurateur Dolly Nolan is an essential ingredient in playful crime drama Whitstable Pearl . So Frances Barber, who portrays her, is delighted as the second series of the warm-hearted whodunnit makes its debut on UKTV’s revamped free-to-air streaming service U this week.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled we are! We love making the show and are over the moon that it’s airing on U so more people will see it,” smiles Frances, when she joins What To Watch for an exclusive interview.
“We recently finished filming season three and in Whitstable, everybody stopped us to say how much they enjoy the banter between me and Kerry Godliman, as mother and daughter Dolly and Pearl.”
Inspired by Julie Wassmer’s murder-mystery novel series, the opening episode of the new six-parter picks up with Pearl prioritising her private detective work, leaving her mum running the family restaurant.
The seaside sleuth has also called time on her brief romance with broody DCI Mike McGuire (Howard Charles) and started seeing supply teacher Tom Grant (Peep Show’s Robert Webb), to Dolly’s dismay!
Here, Frances tells us what to expect…
Frances Barber Whitstable Pearl season 2 exclusive
Dolly has proved a favourite with fans Whitstable Pearl. What do you love most about playing her?
“Dolly’s someone who seizes the day and thinks life is for living. She’s a political animal, but also has a wicked sense of humour, and she likes sex and is not afraid to talk about it! I think Julie Wassmer has based Dolly on herself, which is why I wear a red wig. I wanted to do her proud and, so far, she’s happy!”
There’s a sea change ahead for Dolly, isn’t there?
“Yes, with Pearl focusing on her private investigating work, the restaurant is now under Dolly’s domain. She’s also joined a wild-swimming club run by Mike. My fear was getting into a wetsuit and being in the sea for a long time, so instead they had me stand at the side and just hosed me down for my scenes!”
Pearl has paired up with easy-going Tom, and Mike is moving on with bubbly Kat Bergman (Emmerdale’s Emily Head). Is Dolly vocal in her disapproval?
“Rob Webb and I have some fun here, because Dolly doesn’t like Tom and thinks he’s dull! Every time he says something Dolly rolls her eyes and sighs, ‘He’s just so wet!’ Dolly knows Pearl is in love with Mike and their ‘will-they-won’t-they’ is always in the background!”
Mum knows best! (Image credit: UKTV)
Cases include a time-critical kidnapping, a deadly affair, and an attack on reclusive movie star Zelda St. John (Tenko’s Stephanie Beacham). What clues can you give us about the new storylines?
“Stephanie is a wonderful guest star, we were so lucky to get her. Later in the series [in episode 5] Dolly has a poignant arc where things keep happening around her house and she’s terrified that she has Alzheimer’s Disease. It transpires that a homeless man is living in her shed, so she moves him into her bedroom and has an affair… She never misses an opportunity!”
What’s the atmosphere like behind-the-scenes?
"It’s a joy! We do a lot of improvising, which is really fun. It’s also gorgeous to be in Whitstable. In this second series viewers will see even more of Kent - the beautiful Garden of England - with scenes in Dover and Margate"
You memorably starred in one of the nation’s other favourite detective dramas, Inspector Morse, in the Italian-based episode The Death of the Self in 1992. Do you have fond memories of that?
“It was amazing, we filmed in Verona, Vicenza and Venice and I loved working with John Thaw [the eponymous Inspector Morse]. He was very shy and enjoyed the anonymity of filming in Italy, until one day we were shooting the square in Vicenza and I heard him say, ‘Oh no!’ A big coach saying ‘Oxford Tours’ had arrived and he knew everyone would come running for a photo. It was adorable! He’s a great loss to all of us.”
Frances Barber and John Thaw in Inspector Morse episode The Death of the Self as Nicole Burgess and Chief Inspector Morse. (Image credit: Shutterstock)
You have an extraordinary career. What’s your secret?
“I just want to work! I’m lucky and never take it for granted. I love working with Acorn TV [who produce Whitstable Pearl ] on this and with Adrian Scarborough on The Chelsea Detective as well."
Finally, what's next for you?
" The Chelsea Detective is going into its third series and filming starts next week! In that, I play Adrian’s character DI Max Arnold’s aunt, Olivia, who he tells all his troubles to, so very different to Dolly!”
Whitstable Pearl series 2 airs on free-to-watch service U from 16 July 2024. (Image credit: U)
Where can I watch Whitstable Pearl season 2?
On 16 July streaming service UKTV Play switches to U and UKTV's free-to-air channels become U&Dave, U&Drama, U&W and U&Yesterday.
Whitstable Pearl season 2 is available to watch on U from 16 July 2024.
Whitstable Pearl series 2 previously streamed on Acorn TV in 2022.
At the end of series 1, Pearl Nolan unearthed painful truths about her late father, Flash, and, with mum Dolly by her side, laid him to rest. Now in the second outing, the daughter and mother face a fresh chapter built on a new understanding of each other…
“Pearl and Dolly still get on one another’s nerves, but they also have a really good relationship and are deeply loyal to each other,” says Kerry, who plays restaurant owner turned detective Pearl. “And, I don’t want to give too much away, but when Robert Webb joins the show this series as Tom Grant, he becomes a big part of Pearl’s life. I’m excited for people to see it!”
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