It’s been more than two years since 9.1 million viewers witnessed the first series of ITV’s Liar come to its grisly conclusion, yet we can still recall the unbearable tension as the unsettling drama about a rape case accelerated into a full-on thriller. 

Thanks to a brilliant script that cast doubt over the credibility of its protagonists (played by Joanne Froggatt and Ioan Gruffudd), Liar had us gripped from start to finish – and twitching whenever anybody mentioned the name Andrew Earlham. 

Round two looks set to bring a different kind of action, with Katherine Kelly joining as a detective and Froggatt turning in another enthralling performance as teacher Laura Nielson. As the first episode hits our screens, Stylist sits down with Froggatt to talk series two.

The second series of a drama can be tricky. What convinced you to return to Liar?

It was always a no-brainer because the show was written with the intention of going for two series. Series two definitely comes to a very satisfying conclusion…

What can we expect?

At the end of series one, a major character died. Series two looks back over their final weeks, unravelling what happened and who’s in the frame for their murder. The context is the same as series one – you’re not sure who or what to believe.

What does Kelly’s character bring to the show? 

Katherine plays DI Renton, a police detective who’s an antagonist to Laura – there is a standoff between us which was a lot of fun to play.

It’s been two years since series one ended – what have you been up to?

It’s been busy work-wise: I did a play [Alys, Always at the Bridge Theatre in London], then the Downton movie and more recently a TV drama series called The Commons, which was filmed in Sydney and is set seven years into the future against a backdrop of climate change. Unfortunately, with the bushfires, it feels very current.

The Downton Abbey film was a great success. Is there the possibility of more?

I don’t think any of us expected it to be quite that huge. To be top of the box office in the UK, the States and Australia was incredible. I can’t say there’s anything concrete but there’s been talk of a second film.

You’ve recently become a UN Changemaker for women’s issues. Can you tell us more?

I was asked because of the roles I’ve played on TV [including a rape storyline on Downton] and the fact that I’ve spoken about equality over the years. I’m hoping to get on the ground to work on UN projects. I was very honoured to be asked.

Liar is on Mondays at 9pm, ITV.

Images: Rachell Smith, ITV.com