Sheridan Smith’s ‘Isolation Stories’ episode features an "emotional moment" where she unveils her baby bump.
The 38-year-old actress – who is expecting her first child with husband Jamie Horn – stars in the first of the four 15-minute episodes from BAFTA-winning executive producer Jeff Pope, which tells the stories of four different families, inspired by true people, coping through the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sheridan stars in ‘Mel’ – written by Gaby Chiappe and directed by Paul Whittington – about a heavily pregnant woman who will have to give birth without the married father as he is isolating with his wife and children and Jeff says viewers will find her episode very emotional.
He explained: "We had the idea for a woman who was pregnant in lockdown and on their own. I knew Sheridan was. She’s only about three weeks away from giving birth.
"So I had a conversation with her and I said: ‘Obviously, it’s you in your home and this is the character.’ And she was really positive about it.
"She’s coming to the end of a long pregnancy and I think she was going stir crazy, so she jumped at the idea. She is in good health.
"She had an enormous bump which makes an appearance at the end of the… She unveils this amazing… Then you see it – then she pulls it up, and it’s a very emotional moment at the end.
"She’s in very good health. She’s not got pre-eclampsia or any of those conditions that would be dangerous."
And Jeff said Sheridan was delighted with how the episode turned out.
He explained: "I did a little interview with her just on the last day when she finished, and she just absolutely loved it. She’s now putting her feet up and not long to go."
Speaking previously about the project, Sheridan admitted she jumped at the chance to take part.
She said: "I am heavily pregnant and have been isolating at home so I jumped at the chance to make a drama about the massive drama going on all around us right now.
"I think it’s really important to try and reflect what’s happening to us whilst it is still actually happening."