Character: Matron Grace Petrie
Actor: Dearbhla Molloy
Episode: Enemy Fire

Dearbhla Molloy had to sing and dance for her role in Foyle's War.

"Grace Petrie is matron of the hospital run by Mr Jamieson. She is very good natured, firm but fair, and she likes to have a laugh. She is very game to do anything that would improve the quality of life of her charges.

"She doesn't mind making a fool of herself which is why she does a song and dance act for the patients. She does it extremely badly, which wasn't hard to do, but she probably thinks she is doing it quite well.

"It was a hoot - I had to sing and dance, neither of which I am very good at. Acting is one thing but this was something very different, but it was a character's choice, not an actor's choice."

Dearbhla enjoyed getting into the character of the Matron.

"I read a book called McIndoe's War (sic, McIndoe's Army) about the plastic surgeon Archibald McIndoe and his hospital, which is the inspiration behind this episode. The book depicts the real life matron who worked there, Matron Hall. She was Irish so they made Grace Petrie Irish. I did the role in my own Dublin accent, but made it stronger.

"She wears a Royal Air Force uniform, dark blue and tailored with a big stiff veil. It's not uncomfortable to wear but it was difficult to dance in because it's so precise. When a man puts his hand into the small of your back it feels strange, but it helps for the part."

Adds Dearbhla: "Grace is a good woman and I liked her. The men in the hospital could be her sons and she has a huge amount of affection and compassion for them. There has to be a certain amount of discipline to run a hospital but she knows there are moments when that discipline has to sag for the moral of these young men.

"My story is completely with Bill Paterson and he was great to work with. I'm just mad about him now and I'd love to work with him again."

Dearbhla has worked extensively in Britain, Ireland and the United States. Her other screen roles include Waking The Dead, Ultimate Force, Doctors, The Last Detective, GBH and Between The Lines. She also appears in AIDS drama The Blackwater Lightship for Hallmark, which is due to be shown on British TV.