Vicky McClure stars as brave explosive officer (EXPO) Lana Washington, partnering up with Adrian Lester's EXPO Joel Nutkins in ITV's Trigger Point.
In the first episode, which aired today (Sunday January 23), we saw the two called to a London housing estate to investigate a potential bomb factory and a suspected bomb maker, Andy Phelan (Rick Warden).
There are a number of bombs around the estate, and no one is safe, but one moment in particular surprised us all: when the EXPOs took off their helmets as they neared a bomb. Why would they do that? Surely they would want to keep their safety kit on, right?
Related: Vicky McClure's Trigger Point air date confirmed by ITV
In interviews with Digital Spy and other press, McClure broke down the reason: "It could actually be distracting, depending on the sort of small space that you might be working in."
"Also, if it was to knock anything, it could just be a dangerous thing. The fact is that if the explosion did go off, that little helmet is not going to help so it's best that it's taken away."
McClure and her co-star Lester were advised by experts in explosives as part of their research for the show.
Related: Line of Duty's Vicky McClure responds to Trigger Point comparisons
As there are currently no female EXPOs in the Met Police, McClure really had to prepare for how her character would act in those situations.
She explained: "I was speaking with the experts that we had with us, we had two great guys, Joel and Paul, who were on hand every day, and it was great having their support so I could ask the silly questions. Like, why have I just taken my helmet off when I'm right next to the device?"
"You know, it made complete sense, everything they were saying, and you just start getting into their headspace. They were really giving me not just the technical advice, but the emotional advice too."
Freelance film & TV writer, Digital Spy
Critic and writer Jo Berry has been writing about TV and movies since she began her career at Time Out aged 18. A regular on BBC Radio, Jo has written for titles including Empire, Maxim, Radio Times, OK!, The Guardian and Grazia, is the author of books including Chick Flicks and The Parents’ Guide to Kids’ Movies.
She is also the editor of website Movies4Kids. In her career, Jo has interviewed well-known names including Beyonce, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, Kiefer Sutherland, Tom Cruise and all the Avengers, spent many an hour crushed in the press areas of award show red carpets. Jo is also a self-proclaimed expert on Outlander and Brassic, and completely agrees that Die Hard is a Christmas movie.
