Say goodbye to ‘New Tricks’ actress
Amanda Redman has made the surprise announcement that she is quitting the popular BBC1 series ‘New Tricks’ after almost a decade.
The 55-year old actress who plays Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman in the police drama alongside Dennis Waterman and Alun Armstrong, told the Mirror: “I love New Tricks and I have loved playing Sandra – I’ve got some gritty plotlines – but I feel I have to try something new.
The show regularly attracts ratings of over 8 million, however fans don’t have to say goodbye to the character just yet as Amanda won’t be leaving straight away – but instead will continue in her role until Summer 2013:
“It wouldn’t have been fair on the audience, there is a loyalty to the fans. Our viewing figures are so high, it’s only fair to do it properly.”
“And that is why I’ve decided I am going to film a further eight episodes and then I’ll leave.
Show bosses didn’t try and talk her round she says: “No, they understand, they know I’ve been thinking about this for some time.
“I could have turned around and said I was leaving this year, but I didn’t and they respect that.”
Amanda admitted her reason for leaving was a mixture of ambition and not wanting the show to get tired: “The time’s come. After a while, there is a danger of things getting stale.”
“I am still ambitious,” adds the former ‘At Home with the Braithwaites’ star: “I listen to a lot of friends who say they can’t wait to retire and I don’t know how that feels. I love my job.
In June the actress was awarded an MBE for her services to drama and charity work after running a drama school for young hopefuls for the past 19 years.
“My MBE came completely out of the blue,” Amanda says.
“I wasn’t expecting it. I’m incredibly patriotic and I felt so emotional, I burst into tears when I read the letter. I still get teary. It means so much.
So what’s Amanda got planned for future? “It’s exciting times ahead and I can’t wait. Would I like to be in something like Downton Abbey? No, I’d like to do something new.”
‘New Tricks’ returns to BBC One on Monday, August 27 at 9pm.
