Sheridan Smith set for new ITV drama Clean Break

The actress is returning to TV after her theatre role in Funny Girl
New role: Sheridan Smith is returning to TV in a brand new drama series
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty
Ben Travis11 January 2017

Sheridan Smith is making a return to TV after taking to the stage in Funny Girl.

The British actress has been lined up for ITV’s new six-part drama Clean Break.

The show, from newcomer writer Mark Marlow, will star Smith as office cleaner Sam who gets caught up in insider trading.

A synopsis for the series reads: “Sassy office cleaner Sam (Sheridan Smith) is one of an invisible army of cleaners on a zero hours contract who mop, sweep and vacuum in the early hours.

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“Struggling with an on-line gambling addiction, Sam realises she has access to lucrative Stock Market information which if used correctly could be the answer to all her prayers.

“With her husband threatening to take custody of their two daughters, 14-years-old Alice and 8-years-old Lily, Sam is being backed into a corner and needs to come out fighting.”

ITV’s Head of Drama, Polly Hill, said: “It's such a wonderful script that finds real humour and joy in the human struggle to survive. Sheridan is perfect for the role of Sam and I'm thrilled she's returning to ITV to play her.”

Smith took on the lead role in the West End revival of Funny Girl in 2016, but took a near two-month break in May due to “stress and exhaustion” following the news that her father had been diagnosed with cancer.

Despite initial acclaim for her performance as Fanny Brice, one show at the end of April was cancelled after 15 minutes among claims that Smith was slurring her words.

Smith returned to the role in July to finish the run through to October.

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