Actress and parent Claire Goose enjoys the best of both worlds

Claire Goose enjoys a mother’s pride.

Claire Goose is doubling up roles with a juicy new TV drama this week and an acclaimed stage play.

Undeniable is the gripping two-part ITV drama, while she’s on tour with new Corrie star Les Dennis in A Perfect Murder.

But there will be another new part this autumn the real-life mum at the school gates.

Edinburgh-born Claire and husband Craig have two little girls, four-year-old Amelia and Evelyn, 18 months.

“Amelia starts school in September and that’ll be scary and exciting all at once,” Claire, 39, told The Sunday Post.

“I think she’ll really enjoy it as she absolutely loves nursery.

“She used to go to a childminder so it’s been a gradual change for her and she’s very sociable.

“But it’s going to be strange for me having her away all day.

“I think seeing her in her school uniform will be what really does it for me.”

While there’s no doubting Claire’s motherly love and pride for a moment, ask if being a mum is her favourite role and her passion for acting is just as clear.

“It’s definitely up there,” she says.

“It’s amazing in lots of ways and I love it but I love my work too.

“That’s very creative and fulfilling and like a lot of working mums you try and balance the best of both worlds.

“I feel very lucky that both Craig and I have had time at home with them but it sets a nice example for them of how fulfilling work can be.”

Former Casualty and Waking The Dead star Claire says that having had time off with the kids, she was thrilled to land the lead in the juicy new drama.

She plays Jane, a mum who, as child, saw her mother brutally murdered.

More than 20 years on, and still haunted by the traumatic events, she suddenly sees the man she believes to be the killer.

But he’s a respected doctor, so is she right and can she get anyone to believe her?

“When I read it, I thought it was an amazing script and I didn’t see where it was going,” confides Claire.

“She’s quite fragile and vulnerable but she has a resilience she’s built up since losing her mother.

“It was a really intense thing to do and I hope it does well.”

Claire was back in Scotland last month for A Perfect Murder and, while she left Edinburgh as a kid, she says a bond remains.

“When I go back there is a sense of feeling I’m home,” she adds.