Local stars shine on our screens this autumn

1:08pm Thursday 26th September 2002

WHEN you look at a TV guide you can guarantee there will be one of our local stars at the forefront of the latest shows.

First up is Marlow's Anna Acton, who since landing the role as Geri Evans in Channel 5's Family Affairs earlier this year, is now tackling a rape story line.

Her character has been sleeping with married man Robert and breaks down when she claims that the last time she slept with Robert he forced himself on her. He is arrested and denies it.

To top it all, Geri is pregnant no doubt it won't be long before the truth is out.

Over on the other channel, Susan Hampshire is still busy, having recently finished a theatre tour with Relatively Speaking and playing Molly in the BBC's successful Monarch of the Glen.

Now aged 60, she has no intention of slowing down or taking easy at her Chilterns home.

On Sunday, Monarch of the Glen sees Kilwillie declaring his undying love for Molly after being hit with a tranquilliser dart and believing his life is slipping away.

Sticking with the BBC, there is the start of the seventh series of Dalziel & Pascoe with Beaconsfield's Warren Clarke.

Warren plays Andy Dalziel who with his younger partner Det Insp Peter Pascoe make a crime-busting detective team solving murders right left and centre.

October sees our very own James Corden, from Hazlemere who is currently starring in Fat Friends on ITV, taking to the silver screen in Mike Leigh's latest film All Or Nothing.

He plays Rory. "He is completely alone in the world but the way he deals with it is completely different. He is an aggressive sort of slob really," explains James, 24.

Working with Mike Leigh is a dream come true for James.

"I've wanted to work with Mike Leigh as long as I've wanted to act, and to get the chance is every actor's dream.

"When you work with your heroes or people you admire and respect, there's always that worry that they might let you down or it might not be the experience that you thought it would be, but he's a genius. To work with him that closely is a dream really."

Last but not least is the much awaited second series of the award winning The Office.

Cower under your desk and hide the stapler because the boss everyone loves to hate, David Brent, played by Ricky Gervais, is back with the 'fly-on-the-wall documentary' style comedy.

The series is based in Slough, just down the road.

Monarch of the Glen, BBC One, Sundays, 8pm; Dalziel & Pascoe, BBC One, Mondays, 8.30pm; The Office, BBC Two, Mondays, 10pm; Family Affairs, Channel 5, weekdays, 1pm and 6.30pm and All Or Nothing is out in October.