The much loved actress opens up about Anne Lloyd’s emotional journey, her evolving relationship with Martha, and why a certain Game of Thrones star would be her dream guest.
Barbara Flynn, a familiar and cherished face on British television, returns as Anne Lloyd in the highly anticipated third season of Beyond Paradise, premiering on BBC One on Friday, March 28th. This season promises a deeper dive into Anne’s inner world, as she deals with a health scare, revisits old grief, and finds an unexpected connection with a younger generation.
In a new interview, Flynn reveals that this season marks a significant shift for Anne. “At the end of the previous series, Anne was in a very tender and vulnerable place,” she explains. “In this new series, she’s busy trying to move on with her life… Then, out of nowhere, a bombshell hits. It’s a shock.”
This “bombshell” is a deeply personal health issue, one that Anne initially keeps to herself. “The issue is deeply private for her,” Flynn shares, “but it ends up intertwined with her charming relationship with Zoe.” It’s Zoe, played with a “direct, youthful, clumsy, yet completely adorable way,” who ultimately encourages Anne to take action. “Anne is, in a way, forced to take action because of Zoe’s persistence,” Flynn says. This strengthens their bond, creating a “unique, evolving friendship,” but also introduces tension as Zoe urges Anne to confide in others, something Anne resists due to her “private and fearful” nature.
Flynn praises the writing team’s ability to craft such nuanced storylines: “It’s a beautifully crafted story, as the team always manages to create. They weave together relationships, emotional depth and moments of levity to create something that feels authentic and relatable.”
The series also sees Anne revisiting the pain of losing her husband. “Having lost her husband, the one person she could fully confide in, Anne feels isolated in handling such challenges,” Flynn explains. She describes the portrayal of Anne’s grief as “subtle but poignant.” “Those feelings of loss come back – you never fully escape them… You feel the weight of her loss, but it’s never overdone.” Anne’s reluctance to burden her busy daughter, Martha, and the ever-bustling Humphrey adds another layer to her isolation.
The mother-daughter relationship between Anne and Martha undergoes a subtle but significant evolution this season. “In the past, Anne and Martha were very, very close – there wasn’t much air between them,” Flynn notes. “But in this third series, the dynamic has shifted… It feels more grown-up in a way but there’s also a sadness about it. Anne feels a little distanced from Martha now.” This shift allows Anne’s relationship with Zoe to blossom, providing a “truly sweet” connection that fills a void in Anne’s life.
Regarding Humphrey and Martha’s fostering journey, Flynn says Anne “absolutely supports it.” “There’s a sense of things coming full circle in a way,” she adds, while acknowledging the inherent emotional complexities of fostering. “It’s not about owning or having… It’s about looking after and caring for, and that carries its own complexities.”
Asked about standout moments, Flynn finds it difficult to choose just one. “This series is quite different for Anne… It’s more about Anne’s internal journey,” she reflects. She highlights the return of Jamie Bamber as Archie, a character Anne has always had a soft spot for, as a particular delight. “Whenever he’s around, it’s like the lights go on for Anne,” she says. Ultimately, she emphasizes the “meaningful moments in every single one” episode, from “a beautiful scene where Anne and Martha have a frank conversation” to moments that are “exciting, silly, [and] deeply emotional.”
Flynn attributes the show’s popularity to its unique blend of elements: “It’s in the scenery, the setting, the openness and the chemistry between the characters. And, of course, it’s in the way it’s written and brought to life.” She emphasizes the importance of strong writing, drawing a parallel to her experience on the groundbreaking series Cracker. ” Beyond Paradise is obviously very different – this is more about bringing stories into the sitting room. It’s a more accessible kind of work… There’s no violence here, it’s about puzzles – the grey cells get a workout and that’s terrific.”
Finally, when asked about her dream guest star, Flynn doesn’t hesitate: “That’s such a tough question but Sean Bean comes to mind. He’s compelling and I’d love to see him on screen with a lurcher – something about that pairing would make my heart sing!” A crossover between This City Is Ours and Beyond Paradise? One can only dream! But it’s clear that Barbara Flynn, like her character Anne, continues to embrace life’s surprises with warmth, wit, and a touch of wistful longing.
