Ralph And Katie | Interview with Sherry Baines (Clare Thorne)

How did you feel when you were first approached to be a part of Ralph & Katie?

Absolutely thrilled. I’d played Clare in a couple of episodes of The A Word so this was a great chance to revisit the role. I had just been offered a six-month theatre tour – my first since lockdown – though, and they needed a decision very soon. Knowing the two jobs would clash, in the end, I had to decide on doing Ralph & Katie without knowing how much the role would be featured as the series was still at the writing stage. It was a great relief therefore to find I had three good episodes and some lovely storylines to get my teeth into.

What is this series about? Which themes / questions does it explore?

What I love about it is that most of the themes are universal. Relationships, families, both growing up and getting older and all the life changes that encompasses. The fact that there are two young people with Down’s Syndrome experiencing the same issues from their own perspective is what sets this series apart… but they are very much at the centre of things, rather than this being a side issue to tick a box.

Can you tell us about your character?

Clare is first and foremost a mother who finds it difficult to let go, having fought for her daughter’s sake and tried to fix things all her life. I don’t have children but if I had, I’d have been similarly interfering, I think. I found her all too easy to relate to as I’m a bit of control freak myself – as my long-suffering partner will attest. The challenge is playing someone irritating without being irritating and putting off the audience, but thanks to some good writing, hopefully we have achieved that.

What do you like most, or find most interesting, about your character?

The fact that she cares so much about her family and is a fighter on their behalf. Also that she and her husband are going through the empty nest part of their lives and that challenge to their relationship. Some of my friends who are parents are starting to go through that.

What makes this show special? Why is it important to tell this story?

The casting and choice of crew behind the scenes is what sets it apart. If it can be part of a conversation of how we can be properly inclusive, rather than just ticking boxes, then we will have succeeded.

Can you talk about your experience working on Ralph & Katie? What have you learned about life in general and also more specifically your own life?

It sounds like a PR line, but it has been a different experience. There was a kindness and supportiveness that I’ve not encountered before on a TV set and I really think that came from the top. Jules the producer said at the start that we were going to create something special and she really led from the front. There was a real positive attitude and a willingness to have honest conversations even when that wasn’t the easiest way out.

What can the audience expect from Ralph & Katie?

Hopefully to meet a group of characters they engage with and care about. Like The A Word, that balance of serious issues and dry humour.

What will you take forward with you into life and career?

The importance – and current lack of – accessibility for everyone. How we are all responsible for making society better and fairer. In terms of career, working in different ways with different abilities has made me more aware of what acting entails….but then (pretentious as it may sound) every job you do as an actor brings something new. We (should) never stop learning.

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