but mistakenly believe Suranne Jones is playing cop with dark past
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ITV's thrilling new drama Bancroft hit screens for the first time tonight and has already hooked viewers after it's first gripping episode.
Screened over four consecutive nights, this crime thriller sees DCI Elizabeth Bancroft drawn back into a brutal cold-case murder she’d prefer remained unsolved.
The series revolves around the tormented cop whose dark past is about to catch up with her, but viewers mistakenly believed Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones was playing the lead role.
It was actually Broadchurch actress Sarah Parish, in her most unhinged role to date, starring as titular character Bancroft.
(Image: publicity pic)
(Image: BBC)
Viewers were quick to realise their error, while also pointing out the similarities to BBC's Line Of Duty, and Keeley Hawes’ acclaimed turn as disturbed DI Lindsay Denton in particular.
In the opening scene, a young Bancroft attended the scene of the gruesome murder of a young woman in a flashback to 1990.
Back in the present day, Bancroft is now a respected detective superintendent hoping to win a big promotion by taking down violent gangster Athif Kamara (Amit Dhut).
However, she’s shaken to learn that her ambitious colleague DS Katherine Stevens, played by Game of Thrones’ The Waif Faye Marsay, has been given the job of reopening the investigation into the woman’s violent death.
(Image: ITV)
Despite Sarah's incredible performance, viewers were originally convinced it was Suranne Jones, who starred as detective Rachel Bailey in Scott & Bailey, playing the main character.
One viewer said: "I'm gripped already! Anyone else think that Sarah parish reminds them of Surrane Jones? #bancroft"
Another added: "Just me that thought Suranne Jones was the main character in #Bancroft ?"
A third confused fan said: "Just been thinking this was Suranne Jones but it is Sarah Parish"
(Image: ITV)
‘It’s nice playing someone who isn’t always redeemable,’ said Sarah, who also starred in Broadchurch and Mistresses.
‘Elizabeth is complex and has so many layers to her. There’s something in her past that she’s covering up. It’s about to raise its ugly head and come knocking on the door again.’
Sarah said she relished the challenge of playing a successful career woman whose life unravels spectacularly.
‘It was very full-on but I absolutely loved it,’ she explained. ‘I hadn’t played a big lead like this for quite a long time.’
Bancroft is on Mon-Thur 9pm ITV