Character: Greta Beaumont
Actor: Joanna Kanska
Episode: The German Woman

Joanna Kanska's horse-riding abilities were put to the test in Foyle's War.

"When I had my audition I was asked if I had ridden a horse. I said yes, but failed to say that the last time I did so was about 20 years ago. I wanted to eat my own words when the day came. The horse's face said everything - he did not look happy.

"Luckily the acting kicked in and I learned quickly. The horse would do anything to shake me off, but I pretended to look like an accomplished horsewoman, as my character Greta is, and it definitely got better."

Greta's clothes helped Joanna get into the part.

"I had authentic jodhpurs and boots which was wonderful. It puts you in the right period immediately - you carry yourself differently and talk differently. Greta also has an evening dress that was very romantic and all authentic. Even the shoes were from the period and they were so comfortable to wear. I was brought up seeing war films and it was like entering a fairy story in a way."

Joanna, who is of Polish descent, also enjoyed working on Foyle's War because it avoided the usual wartime stereotypes."I felt it was a slightly different approach to playing the enemy. Usually the Polish are heroes and the Germans are terrible. Greta is not a pure white innocent character, she has strengths and weaknesses like everyone else, but she is a decent normal woman. She is trying to save her stepdaughter Sarah from making a big mistake.

"Each nation has its heroes and antiheroes and war brings out the best and worst in people. There was no nation all good or all wrong and it was good to see it portrayed differently. After all, who are we to judge?

"I tried to make Greta more German when she broke down. Being German is strong in itself. She tries to make a good face of her situation, but then she cracks up. I liked playing her - I prefer people with cracks who have had experiences."

Greta has married into money as the second wife of Henry Beaumont (Robert Hardy).

"She has entered another class through her marriage. Not everyone can land this kind of husband and she is haughty to an extent. He is much older than her and she honestly cares for him, despite what she does. It was great working with Robert Hardy as my husband - I don't know what I would do if he proposed in real life, I liked working with him so much!"

Joanna took a three-year break from acting work after the birth of her son Christopher, now aged six. "It is hard to get back to work once you are off the circuit but he takes up my time with pleasure. My mother still lives in Poland and she is besotted with him and comes over to visit often."

Joanna played another character called Greta in A Very Peculiar Practice and its sequel, A Very Polish Practice. Her other credits include Randall & Hopkirk Deceased, Grafters, Madson, Love Hurts, The New Statesman, Sleepers and the role of Sirrka in two series of Capital City.

September 2002; Publicity Release