Story Highlight
– Jill Halfpenny stars in ITV’s After The Flood sequel.
– Discusses growth in receiving diverse, complex roles.
– Open about grief following partner and father’s deaths.
– Authored memoir reflecting on personal experiences of loss.
– Currently dating and finding happiness in her life.
Full Story
Jill Halfpenny is set to return to screens in the upcoming second season of ITV’s mystery series After The Flood, premiering on January 18. The actress, who first gained recognition at the age of 14 on Byker Grove alongside Ant and Dec, has carved an impressive career spanning both soap operas and gritty dramas. Currently featuring in the thriller Girl Taken on Paramount TV+, she will reprise her role as DS Sam Bradley in the new series.
Halfpenny expressed her enthusiasm about joining the cast of After The Flood, stating, “I liked the cast, so when they asked me to join it was a really easy yes. I didn’t even have to think about it.” She described her character as warm and approachable yet layered, hinting at a depth that may not always be apparent to those around her.
The new series will follow detective Jo Marshall, played by Sophie Rundell, as she navigates the challenges of new motherhood while uncovering corruption within her department, all amidst a mysterious murder investigation. Halfpenny’s character, DS Bradley, has recently relocated to the area to assist with the case, joining Marshall in uncovering the truth behind a perplexing discovery on the moors.
Reflecting on her career trajectory, Halfpenny noted, “I’m often cast as the ‘everywoman’. I tend to play characters that are quite grounded and no-nonsense.” She acknowledged that early roles often lacked excitement, particularly in her twenties when she found herself confined to stereotypical parts. “It gets quite dull when you’re a young 20-year-old, playing the secretary, or the girl in the village. That gets quite boring after a while,” she explained.
Over the past decade, Halfpenny has seen a shift in the types of roles available to women in film and television, allowing her to take on more substantial characters. “Thankfully, as time has gone on, I’ve been given more to do,” she shared. “I’m getting meatier roles, because writers are allowed to tell stories from the point of view of the woman and being allowed to tell stories that are a bit messier and more complex.”
Despite her professional successes, Halfpenny has faced significant personal challenges, notably the loss of her partner Matt Janes in 2017 due to a heart attack. This experience was compounded by the earlier death of her father, Colin, from a similar condition. In her memoir, A Life Reimagined, released last year, she candidly discussed her journey through grief, stating, “My whole philosophy is not to run away from grief – to be brave enough to cry and stay in the discomfort.”
Halfpenny highlighted the importance of talking about loss and grief, remarking on societal reluctance to address such topics until it is too late. “There is actually preparation,” she said, advocating for open conversations about death and the practicalities surrounding it.
Now residing in her native North East with her 17-year-old son Harvey from her previous marriage, Halfpenny has found a new relationship with marketing manager Ian McAllister, whom she began dating in 2023. “You think about all of the years and all the pain and the tears and then suddenly I’m here today and I feel good,” she remarked, acknowledging the randomness of life’s journey. “Life isn’t perfect, but I’m happy to be where I’m at.”
The return of After the Flood promises to deliver more twists and character depth, with new episodes airing weekly on Sundays and Mondays on ITV, and available for streaming on ITVX.
