Sian Brooke, star of "Blue Lights," expresses her admiration for Belfast: 'I've developed a deep affection for Belfast... it's a unique city, but it's the people who truly make it special.'

Sian Brooke finds solace in her affection for Belfast, which helps alleviate the heartache of being away from her children during the filming of the acclaimed drama series Blue Lights. Portraying rookie PSNI recruit Constable Grace Ellis in the gritty show has anchored her in the city for extended periods, where she has found a warm embrace from the locals, offering a counterbalance to the separation from her family in London.

Expressing her attachment to Belfast, Sian shared, “It’s difficult being away from my kids for filming, although they’re used to seeing me in a police uniform on FaceTime now, and I tell them I’ll arrest them if they’re naughty!” She continued, “But I’ve totally fallen in love with Belfast, and it’s like a second home to me because the people are amazing.”

Reflecting on her experience in the city, Sian noted the nuanced history and the resilience of its residents. “You have a preconceived idea about the region’s history, and you don’t understand the nuances and complexity until you spend time there,” she remarked. “It’s the most special, beautiful place, but the people make it. They have a unique sense of humour, dealing with dark things that happen, then in the next breath having a big belly laugh.”

Navigating the demands of her profession alongside her husband, director Bill Buckhurst, Sian juggles the unpredictability of their respective careers. Despite the challenges, she cherishes the opportunity to immerse herself in meaningful projects like Blue Lights, which resonates with audiences both locally and across the UK.

Sian emphasized the importance of authenticity in portraying the issues unique to policing and politics in Northern Ireland. “We are proud of it, but I was apprehensive in terms of how it might go down, whether a Northern Ireland audience would embrace it and feel it represented them,” she shared. “That’s what’s been overwhelming. People come up and say, ‘I don’t normally watch dramas about my home town. They don’t truly represent it. But I watch this’.”

Recalling a memorable encounter with a local taxi driver, Sian recounted how the show’s impact transcends initial reservations. “When I explained what it was, he said, ‘I’ll not be watching that. I don’t like those shows. I don’t like the cops’. I asked him to give it a go, and he said, ‘OK, I’ll record it on the videotape’,” she recalled. “Then, when it went out, he sent me a message on Instagram to say, ‘I’ve watched it and I love it’. And he offered me free taxi rides whenever I’m in Belfast!”

While fans lament the departure of beloved characters like Gerry, Sian acknowledges the power of storytelling and the emotional connection it fosters. “It’s the first thing anyone says when they talk to me about the show. Even my dad called me up and asked why they had to kill Gerry!” she revealed. “He was a character that clicked with so many people. The response to that storyline was overwhelming, which is a testament to the show’s writing.”

For Sian, the opportunity to explore the humanity behind the uniform in Blue Lights holds personal significance, rooted in her upbringing shaped by her father’s career in law enforcement. “When I read this script, I saw the human behind the uniform, and that meant a lot to me — to see these people trying to do their best,” she reflected. “That sense of right and wrong was part of my upbringing, plus my mum was a teacher, so there was no escape.”