Thandie Newton says she signed up for Line of Duty despite never having seen a minute of it

IT’S become one of TV’s most-watched shows with actors who have become fans desperate to land a part.

But Thandie Newton says she signed up to Line Of Duty having never seen a minute of it.

“I didn’t know anything about the role, but said I wanted to do it,” she admits.

“I don’t watch a lot of television – I have kids, so the only things I watch are SpongeBob or Paw Patrol.

“My agent said: ‘Thandie, an offer has come in and if you ever want to work in British TV, this is it.’

“I’ve been with my agent since I was 17 so when she said that, I sat up. I watched it and was completely knocked out by it.

“I don’t have the opportunity to work in Britain very much because there are a lot of period dramas and they often don’t have calls for women of colour so I went to Hollywood.”

Thandie has starred in movies with Tom Cruise, Sandra Bullock and Will Smith, so it shows the clout the cop drama starring Martin Compston and Vicky McClure has.

But Thandie says it was she who was concerned about the calibre of cast, including Martin who plays English copper DS Steve Arnott.

“I was a bit star-struck! Vicky is a darling. She’s an incredible team player, kind and light-hearted and we laughed a lot.

“I’m glad we didn’t have too much stuff to do together because I don’t know if I could get a day’s work with her! Yet the camera rolls and she’s right there with it.

“I was just thrilled to have the opportunity to work with her.

“Martin has such a broad Glaswegian accent, in contrast to Steve’s accent, that when he’s speaking with his natural accent it’s like he’s putting it on.”

Line Of Duty, BBC1, tonight, 9pm.