Writers emerge at every age: Kate Saffin talks to actor Christine Mackie about adding a new string to her bow.

The term ‘emerging writer’ tends to conjure up images of youthful scribblers (or tappers); however, writers can emerge at any age as Christine Mackie proves with her new solo play Best Girl. Performed by her daughter Lois, also an actor, it is very much a family story as it is based on Christine losing her own father at the age of 11.

Christine is also a busy working actor, with regular appearences in Coronation Street as Dr Gaddas and the early series of Downton Abbey amongst many others. Here she talks to Kate Saffin about why she has been drawn to writing as well as acting and shares some glimpses into her approach to creating a script rather than her usual learning of someone else’s.

Listen to our interview with Chris Mackie about her play Best Girl