Jodhi May (Blood And Oil) interview

Jodhi May plays Claire in BBC Two's Blood And Oil, a powerful drama about two British women and their extraordinary journey deep into the hinterland of the Niger Delta - a beautiful but highly dangerous region of Nigeria. There, they become embroiled in a hostage negotiation situation, which soon turns into a nightmare.

> Watch the trailer.

> Take a look at our episode guide.

> Read our interview with Naomie Harris.


What attracted you to the role?

"I read the script and immediately felt that I had to do it or die! It really was one of the most powerful scripts that I have ever read. It was a part I was desperate to play and I felt absolute conviction about it. I thought it was a brilliant piece of writing from Guy [Hibbert], a particularly exciting writer. He has a way of drawing you in to a very emotional, intimate drama between people and he approaches it in a very personal way through characters."

How did you find filming in South Africa?

"We shot it in South Africa and the streets were spick and span, unbelievably clean, so we had to get dirt put down so as to create an environment that was Nigerian. David [Attwood] is such a great director and it was a very happy experience. Everyone felt that they were taking part in something that they believed they had to be involved in. It's a subject that a lot of television channels would feel a little nervous about tackling because of the politics involved, however, I think it's really bold, brave and admirable – the kind of drama that should be made more often."

How did you enjoy working with the rest of the cast?

"We were completely spoilt by having such an amazing and wonderful cast. They were the nicest, most utterly professional and supportive people to be working with. Naomie [Harris] is unbelievable; she's incredibly generous as an actor and very down to earth. It was an absolute joy working with her and I felt that we were a great team. I thought that was really important, as our characters were such polar opposites of each other. I can't think of a more wonderful actress to be working with."

Did you know much about the oil industry and Nigeria before working on Blood And Oil?

"I did know a bit about the subject before the drama because some oil workers had been kidnapped a few years before I read the script. The politics and conflicts between oil companies and militants that remain unaddressed and unresolved interest me greatly, yet it is very difficult for journalists to get into the territory at all to report from there. It's hugely complicated but Guy's story tells not only an African issue; it's also a global issue with extensive repercussions."

What about identity?

"That is the irony of the situation. It asks the question of identity. How do you create an identity when your heritage is such a colonial one? That, again, is a very political question as well. How does an African state create an identity when their heritage is a colonial one? You could ask the same questions of Zimbabwe or South Africa. It is interesting from that point of view. More pertinently, the whole oil question is a valuable one and much more far reaching. Guy tackles the question brilliantly and confronts all sorts of issues brilliantly. It raises all sorts of questions which I think is great."

What are your views on women starring in thrillers?

"Guy went against the grain in making a story about two women. He writes beautifully and brilliantly for women, but their roles are a gift. I remember Guy saying that in some ways he finds it easier to write women and I think it's just brilliant!"