Catherine Cusack is probably best known for her role as Carmel - "the nanny from hell" in Coronation Street. Now she plays Frankie Sullivan, a tough no-nonsense Garda from Dublin sent to Ballykissangel to replace Garda Egan. Catherine is the daughter of the late, great stage and screen actor, Cyril Cusack.

To prepare for her new role , Catherine Cusack decided to do some homework. She visited Bray Garda Station in Wicklow and spent some time with Ban (woman) Garda Patricia Hanley. "She told me what a difficult day is and what the training is like" said the Dublin actress. "She also told me stuff like how to wear my hat and make it appear really real. I never played a policewoman before but it’s great being in the uniform".

Frankie’s first appearance in Ballykissangel was in episode eight. "It has been very nice because my introduction has been mostly with Owen Roe and Marion O’Dwyer - the Dooleys and that has been really lovely to do as I know Marion. I also had a really nice scene with Kieran Owens - who plays their son. He is excellent and I enjoyed doing that one."

Not surprisingly, it takes Frankie a while to adapt to the laid-back attitude of Ballykissangel. "She’s a fast learner and quite strong and doesn’t take any rubbish from anyone and that can be me on a good day, so I hope I’m a bit like her in that way.

Ballykissangel is Catherine’s first television role in Ireland. She says "I didn’t know what to expect when I got here. I knew a few of the actors but I didn’t know that they were such a good group of actors who welcome you, make you feel really at home and look after you and help you out." She continues "Owen is a joker - he makes me laugh. There is good craic and it’s a great atmosphere here."

Catherine recalls her most difficult scene so far. She says, "there was a whole day shot at a fete in Ballykissangel and I just had a scene where I completely fluffed my lines like you would see in "It’ll Be All Right On The Night".
Just as Catherine was called to go back to the set I quickly asked her what she’d like to see her character do next. Laughing, Catherine replied "I’d quite like her one day to make an arrest - perhaps Liam or Donal".