Sally Bretton plunges into a more sinister role with her latest thriller, The Au Pair, and TV icon Sir David Suchet makes a dramatic return to our screens in the new series. The actor, 78, called time on solving crimes as Agatha Christie’s Hercule Poirot in 2013, going on to appear on other shows in the likes of Press. But in 2019, Sir David Suchet enjoyed some time away from TV acting and starred in a handful of theatre productions. He notably appeared in a 2023 show of Peter Pan. But no matter his ventures, David has received unwavering support from his wife of 49 years, Sheila Ferris. The pair first set eyes on one another in 1972, as Sheila was descending a staircase at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry. Sheila and David tied the knot after four years, welcoming two children – Robert, a former Royal Marine Captain, and Katherine, a physiotherapist. After stepping away for six years, Suchet takes on the role of Sally Bretton’s father George, a retired obstetrician, and shares, “One of the big differences for me was that I was playing English,” adding, “which was really nice.” “It was refreshing because I wasn’t carrying the whole thing,” and “I was able to be a part of a wonderful ensemble.” At 78, Suchet is choosy about his roles, mentioning, “I did Press on the BBC, and then I was very fortunate to have a lot of theatre work,” he says, “But I thought I should wait for something special.”
Sir David Suchet ended his six-year hiatus from TV acting as he stars in The Au Pair
Drawn to the Channel 5 show by the intricate moral dilemmas of his character, Suchet compares it to his role as Joe Keller in All My Sons, stating, “I played a man who did the wrong thing for the right reasons,” and “The more I looked at George, the more I found that I could empathise with that. I really enjoyed it.” In The Au Pair, Sally Bretton embodies Zoe Dalton, a successful seamstress living an idyllic life in the Cotswolds with her husband Chris and his children, Noah and Amber. Beneath Zoe’s calm appearance, she’s been hiding deep feelings. Sally explains, “She’s very trusting and gentle by nature,” noting how Zoe has always relied on others to make major life choices. When her family is in danger, Zoe finally steps into her own power: “You see her tune into her own intuition and she starts to follow what she actually wants,” says Sally, finding that aspect of the character enjoyable. . Zoe has a strong connection with her young son Noah, whereas her relationship with teen daughter Amber has been more contentious. But after years of friction, they’re starting to find harmony. Zoe’s professional life is thriving too, till her diabetic father George needs to move in for care, turning their world upside down alongside Sandrine, the supposedly ideal au pair. The family drama unfolds in the scenic setting of the Cotswolds; however, the filming took place in Ireland during a tricky summer, with cast and crew catching sight of Dublin’s Bloomsday festivities. Director Oonagh Kearney creatively captured the scenery of the English countryside, and executive producer Samuel Kissous is proud of the outcome: “We used massive lightbulbs outside the house to fake that natural sunlight,” he reveals the behind-the-scenes efforts to achieve a sun-kissed look regardless of the weather’s whims. “The result was seamless, despite the unpredictable weather. I was very impressed.” The concept of The Au Pair was born in 2023, when creator Samuel expressed his desire to bring a fresh take on the classic trope of the dangerous and seductive French woman. Rising French star Ludmilla Makowski brilliantly portrays Sandrine, a character that is far from cliché. At just 26, Ludmilla relished playing the role of a manipulative villain. “She’s so far from who I really am,” she admits, “but it’s a dream to play a villain. It’s more interesting.”
Sally Bretton stars as Zoe Dalton in The Au Pair – a woman whose life is turned upside down by a mysterious au pair
However, getting into Sandrine’s mindset wasn’t a walk in the park. “I was always in a state of panic”, she confesses, “Sandrine rushes into things without thinking – I’m the opposite, always overthinking everything!” This role also gave Ludmilla a unique opportunity to polish her English skills. “On screen, my English sounds perfect but it’s a different story in interviews,” she reveals. Her international breakthrough seems inevitable, especially with French actors like Lea Seydoux and Vincent Cassel inspiring a new generation to make their mark on global screens. “Most French actors have the American dream,” she shares. “It’s because of the streaming platforms.” Ludmilla would know – she’s had her own big break in the Netflix hit series Lupin as the teen version of Ludivine Sagnier’s Claire Laurent. Proving she has no shortage of talent, she even competed in the twelfth season of The Voice in France. The Au Pair’s latest drama unfolds as Sandrine becomes a disruptive force in Zoe’s life, who is desperate to have another baby after a heartbreaking miscarriage. Her husband Chris, played by Kenny Doughty, hesitates on growing their family, leaving Zoe open to Sandrine’s cunning influence. As Sandrine exploits Zoe’s fertility issues, tensions rise and Zoe’s marriage begins to show cracks. Sally, the creative mind behind the show, shares that at its core, the series explores a woman’s intense desire for motherhood and the horror of someone threatening that dream. “It’s a story about obsession – specifically, a woman’s deep yearning for motherhood,” she explains. “When someone comes into your life and tries to destroy that, it’s terrifying. That fear resonates with so many women.” The cast and crew brought genuine emotion and personal experiences to the production, adding layers of authenticity to the storytelling. Samuel reveals, “David’s father was an obstetrician,” highlighting how the theme of family deeply resonated with the team. “That connection, combined with the central theme of family, hit close to home for many of us on set. It made the story even more meaningful.” Promising more than just suspense, The Au Pair delves into the complexities of human emotions, offering a compelling mix of psychological intrigue, heartfelt performances, and relatable family dynamics.
