Joanna Scanlan Stars in Gripping New Drama Missed Call

Six months after the success of her BBC One series Riot Women, Joanna Scanlan is back on screen with a new role in the Channel 5 drama Missed Call, which airs every weeknight this week. The highly anticipated series centers around a single mother, Sarah Gleason, whose life is turned upside down when her daughter goes missing during a school exchange in Saint Michel, France.

Missed Call kicks off with Sarah, played by Scanlan, sending her 17-year-old daughter, Katie, off for a French exchange, a decision that quickly spirals into a nightmare. Shortly after arriving in France, Sarah receives a missed call in the middle of the night, followed by a chilling message: "help me." This prompts her to travel to the picturesque village where her daughter is staying, only to be met with indifference from the host family and local authorities.

As Sarah embarks on her quest to find Katie, she faces numerous obstacles, including the coldness of those who should be helping her. In an exclusive interview with Radio Times, Scanlan described her character as "tough, determined, and unapologetic," emphasizing the emotional depth of a mother willing to do anything for her child. She explained, "Her love for her daughter is immense, and she's flawed, having made some bad choices in her past, but her drive to find Katie is unwavering."

Filmed entirely in France, near Montpellier, the series showcases the beauty of the region, including towns like Sete and medieval villages in the foothills. Scanlan noted, "Every single moment was filmed in France, even the bits that are supposed to be British," adding that the filming conditions were challenging due to the heat. "It was extremely hot! Fine if you’re sitting sipping a gin and tonic, but not so easy if you’re trying to film."

The show is structured across five episodes, each filled with twists and turns that keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Scanlan teased that the plot is multi-layered and dark, stating, "I definitely didn't guess the end when I was reading it. I would defy anybody other than, you know, Sherlock Holmes, to do so. It is a really good plot. Really, really chunkily enjoyable plot."

In addition to Scanlan, the cast includes Rupert Graves, who plays Jason, a character with his own secrets that become intertwined in Sarah's search. Graves remarked on the complexity of the story, highlighting how Sarah's investigation reveals the darker sides of those around her. He said, "When Sarah goes to investigate, something really important happens and all the bulls**t stops in her life. She just wants to find the truth and find her daughter. Inevitably, she looks at people and people, like all people in the world, have secrets."

As the series progresses, viewers can expect to witness Sarah's transformation from a worried mother to a determined investigator, as she confronts the challenges of finding her daughter and the chilling realities of the situation. Scanlan remarked, "It's much darker than you might anticipate from the start of the story."

Meanwhile, Scanlan continues to bask in the success of Riot Women, which has resonated deeply with audiences, particularly young women and mothers. She revealed that fans often approach her to share how the show reflects their own experiences, stating, "It's actually still going on – people coming up to me and being a bit excited, like, 'Oh gosh, you were in Riot Women!' But then as they unpack their own situation, quite often it can be really tearful, because they see their own stories being mirrored."

As the anticipation builds for the second series of Riot Women, Scanlan has confirmed that the writing process is underway but cautioned that it will take time. "Sally Wainwright is a very good, careful writer, so she’s not going to just splat something on the page. She’s going to carefully craft it."

Scanlan's career is marked by a series of memorable roles, including her film debut in Girl with a Pearl Earring and her collaboration with Michelle Pfeiffer in Stardust. She fondly recalls her time on the set of Girl with a Pearl Earring, where she felt like she was living a dream. "To play Annika, the milkmaid in the famous painting, really did feel like a dream come true."

With a growing list of projects, including adaptations of popular novels like Anxious People and The Party, Scanlan remains a sought-after talent in the industry. She expressed gratitude for the opportunities she's had, emphasizing the importance of working with passionate people. "It was just one of those blessed experiences that genuinely don’t come along very often."

Outside of her acting career, Scanlan enjoys spending time in nature, particularly in her garden and the beautiful landscapes of her home in South Wales. She believes that connecting with nature is key to a fulfilling life, stating, "For me, the only way through is nature. We need nature, plants and animals. It transforms your parasympathetic nervous system, whether it’s the little tiny blade of grass in a concrete jungle or whether it’s a huge mountainscape."

As Missed Call continues to air throughout the week, viewers are invited to join Sarah on her harrowing yet gripping quest to find her daughter. The series promises to deliver suspense and emotional depth, with Scanlan at the helm as a mother fighting against all odds. Tune in to Channel 5 at 9 PM to catch the latest episode and witness the unraveling mystery.