By Emily Caulkett-
EastEnders legend Ross Kemp is returning to acting after seven years for a new role in a Channel 5 drama.
Kemp, who starred in the popular BBC soap as Grant Mitchell from 1990-1999 and then again from 2005-2006, is set to star in the four-part thriller.
The Bridge of Lies quiz host will play Detective Tony Warden in the show Blindpsot.
The Channel 5 cop drama will follow Hannah Quinn (Beth Alsbury) who plays a disabled woman who monitors the CCTV on an estate.
However, when her story is dismissed by the police, she suspects there could corruption involved, and finds herself in serious danger.
Speaking about his new role, Kemp admitted he was more nervous walking onto the Blindspot set than he was arriving to Elstree Street studios back in 1989.
Since making his debut as Grant in 1989, Ross has focused on filming crime documentaries and presenting game shows in recent years, and briefly reprised his role on EastEnders in 2016 to coincide with Barbara Windsor’s exit.
‘It is a wonderful cast but working with actors again has been quite a leap for me and I know I’m a very lucky man.’
‘For me going back to acting is so important. It is the first time in 15 years apart from going back to EastEnders for Barbara leaving.’
Blindspot will air on Channel 5 later this year, focusing on a disabled woman called Hannah, who will be played by newcomer Beth Alsbury.
Beth believes she has witnessed the prelude to a murder while monitoring the CCTV on a rough estate, but when her story is dismissed by the police, she suspects there could corruption involved, and finds herself in serious danger.
Ross described his character as ‘a bit of a loser,’ but said it will be a nice change from the tougher roles he’s played in the past.
Kemp rose to prominence in the role of Grant Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders. He is also known for his other roles as Graham Lodsworth in Emmerdale and Birds of a Feather as Detective Inspector Monk. Kemp has received international recognition as a reporter for presenting the BAFTA Award-winning documentary television series Ross Kemp on Gangs (2004–2009).
After his initial departure from EastEnders, Kemp moved from the BBC to ITV for a reported £1.2 million two-year deal.[7] Kemp’s first role for ITV was in Hero of the Hour. During its filming, on 27 October 1999, Kemp required hospital treatment after being shot in the face when a stunt went wrong. He suffered cuts to his chest and face after safety glass shattered, and was also hit in the face by the discharge from a blank round. He was treated at the scene by paramedics and made a full recovery.
In 2000, Kemp starred in ITV’s A Christmas Carol. He took the lead roles in the television series Without Motive and In Defence in 2000, and in 2002’s Ultimate Force, where he played Army Staff sergeant Henry Garvie from the British Special Air Service. He continued to appear in this role until 2006. He also played “Cirra” in the 2004 TV film, Spartacus.
In 2005, Kemp appeared in an episode of BBC’s Extras and in a two-part adaptation of the Gerald Seymour novel A Line in the Sand for ITV. He has also presented on The Friday Night Project and appeared as a stand in host on The Paul O’Grady Show in the 2007 and 2008.