Sally Lindsay overcame accent bias to succeed in acting

Sally Lindsay, an actress and writer, is currently enjoying success with her TV show "The Madame Blanc Mysteries." However, she faced challenges early in her career due to prejudice against her northern accent, which led her to abandon her initial dream of becoming a radio journalist. While studying at Hull University, Sally started a radio show but received many rejections when applying for radio jobs. Employers were not interested in her northern voice. She said comments like "We don’t need a female Terry Christian" were common. Frustrated, she turned to acting, starting with touring plays and eventually landing her first TV role in "The Royle Family" in 2000. Sally's big break came by chance when she performed a humorous piece at a showcase for casting directors. She stood out while others were dramatic. This led to her being cast in "The Royle Family" instead of an established actress. Soon after, she became known for playing Shelley Unwin on "Coronation Street," a role she held for five years. Since then, Sally has continued acting and has also branched out into writing and producing. "The Madame Blanc Mysteries" has become one of Channel 5’s most popular shows, showcasing Sally as an antiques dealer solving mysteries in a fictional French village. The series has gained a global following, with viewers tuning in from various countries. Despite her success, Sally admits to feeling afraid of failure, which drives her to create her own work. Sally has appeared in several other shows over the years, but she prefers being involved in the creative process now. The current season of "The Madame Blanc Mysteries" features guest stars from her past, including several familiar faces from "Coronation Street." Looking ahead, Sally aims to continue making television that she loves. She hopes to work well into her later years, inspired by legendary actress Betty Driver. Work is her passion, and she can't imagine stopping anytime soon. "The Madame Blanc Mysteries" airs on Thursdays at 9 PM on Channel 5.