Character: Florence Beale
Actor: Madeleine Worrell
Episode: A Lesson In Murder

Madeleine Worrall knew immediately that she wanted the role of grieving widow Florence Beale in Foyle's War.

"I had an immediate response to her. Her husband hangs himself in the first few minutes of the piece and it's rare a character starts with such a trauma. It gives her more depth. The challenge for me was to bring someone so utterly shocked to life.

"Florence is a very strong, articulate and passionate person. She has strong beliefs about pacifism and the nature of humanity and kindness, like her husband. But I think the war makes a lot of people questions their beliefs."

Madeleine liked Florence's look - although she would have fancied a touch more glamour.

"She is a child of the earth, living on a farm that is a bit like a commune, so she has to look workmanlike. The clothes were all authentic, with a simple feel, and putting them on helped a lot because they change the way you walk. But Florence doesn't have the high gloss finish of some women in the 1940s. No beautiful hair rolls because she wouldn't have time for that and almost no make-up. That was a bit scary and I kept saying to put another bit on!" Madeleine plays another woman with convictions in ITV1's drama Ultimate Force.

"I play Lorraine who is a well to do girl who gets caught up with eco-terrorists. She is sent in to spy on them but is way out of her depth and gets into deep trouble. Florence has a maturity and a passion but Lorraine is younger and flightier."

Edinburgh-born Madeleine studied at Cambridge University and LAMDA and her other TV credits include Midsomer Murders, Judge John Deed and The Gentleman Thief. She has also appeared with the RSC and Royal National Theatre and is an accomplished singer, pianist and oboe player.

"I have just finished A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Royal Exchange Theatre. I had my clothes ripped off and was dumped in a pond because the director wanted to give it a real earthy feel. I was bruised and had dirt ingrained in my feet for weeks, but it was terrific fun!"

September 2002; Publicity Release