Sally Lindsay Overcomes Bias: “Too Northern” for Dream Job Challenges UK Industry Norms

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From Radio Rejection to Cozy Crime queen: Sally Lindsay’s Unexpected Path to Success

By archyde.com News Team | Published March 23,2025

Sally Lindsay’s distinctive voice has graced multiple TV shows,including *Coronation Street*,*Scott & Bailey*,and her latest hit,*The Madame Blanc Mysteries*. However, the actress, born July 8, 1973, initially faced rejection in her pursuit of a career in radio journalism because, as she revealed, executives deemed her accent “too northern.” This seemingly closed door ultimately propelled her toward a successful acting career and,eventually,to creating and starring in her own globally popular television series.

Lindsay’s story resonates with many Americans who have faced similar obstacles due to regional accents or perceived biases in the media industry. While the landscape has evolved, these biases, though subtler, can still influence career trajectories.

While studying at Hull University, Lindsay hosted her own radio show. Aspiring to be a radio journalist, she applied for numerous positions, only to be met with disappointment.

I got rejected by all the local radio stations, because they didn’t like northern accents, even though I was in Hull!

She added,

I’ve always loved radio journalism, but I used to get comments like, ‘We don’t need a female Terry christian thanks very much’. It’s unbelievable when you think about it, but it was a different time and place. There were hardly any of us on radio with an accent in the Nineties.

Lindsay noted the pressure on women in media during that era:

There was the ladette thing towards the end, but they all had to be drop dead stunning as well – there were no normal northern women.

In the United States, the entertainment industry has grappled with similar issues of representation and accent bias. Such as, actors with Southern accents have sometimes found themselves typecast in certain roles, hindering their ability to break into mainstream television or film.

From Stage to Screen: A Fortuitous turn

Instead of radio, Stockport-born Lindsay transitioned to acting, touring the country in various theatrical productions. She landed her first television role in 2000,playing Michelle in an episode of *The Royle Family*. She considers this role her big break, which occurred after Kathy Burke turned down the role of Twiggy’s girlfriend. The show needed a complete unknown.

There were around 25 of us there – all of us unknowns – and we did a monologue. Everyone did ‘very dramatic, I’m going to cry now’ speeches, and I didn’t. I did something funny, Alan Bennett’s Her Big Chance that Julie Walters famously did. The next day I got offered the part in The Royle Family. It was meant to be Kathy Burke, but [the show] said they needed a complete unknown. Rather than go down the dramatic side at the showcase, I just did what I was best at and it was life changing.

The following year, Lindsay secured the role of Shelley Unwin, a barmaid at the Rovers Return in *Coronation Street*, a part she portrayed for five years. This role solidified her position within British television and paved the way for future opportunities.

Creating Her Own Success: *The Madame Blanc Mysteries*

following in the footsteps of fellow *Coronation Street* alumni like Suranne Jones and Katherine Kelly, Lindsay has enjoyed a flourishing career since departing the show. She has expanded into writing,creating,and producing her own projects. *Scott & Bailey*, co-created with Suranne Jones, marked an early step in this direction, but her biggest achievement to date is *The Madame Blanc Mysteries*.

*The Madame Blanc Mysteries* is a popular crime drama where Lindsay plays jean white, an antiques dealer, solving mysteries in the South of France. Lindsay created the show four years ago and also serves as the co-writer, executive producer, and star. The series is a co-production between her company, Saffron Cherry Productions, and Clapperboard.

It’s appeal has made it a global hit, finding fans globally including Canada, South America, Australia and New Zealand. The show’s fifth season just started airing on Channel 5.

Despite her success, Lindsay admits that she constantly fears failure.

I get scared if there’s no work coming in and find it hard to talk about the past, because I’m always thinking forwards.

She elaborates:

I should indulge myself sometimes, as I’ve got four series under my belt.I brush it off and I shouldn’t really. I should give myself a minute to enjoy the success. I’m sure I could take a few months off and it would be fine, but I just get a bit edgy. I think most people who are self-employed are the same. You can never take your eye off the ball, because you know there’s somebody coming up behind you. So I scare myself into working. That’s why I constantly create my own work with my own company as I really don’t like not working.

Lindsay’s dedication to her craft shines through. In addition to *The Madame Blanc mysteries*, she has appeared in *Still Open All Hours*, *mount Pleasant*, and the thriller *Love Rat*.

It was a really good shoot – I’m still a gun for hire if anybody wants me. But mostly I’ve got some sort of say in things now – I think it’s a door you can’t go back through really. While I love the idea of just going on a set and doing the job and coming home like I used to, I always get involved.Even on mount Pleasant I was always tinkering – it’s the way I am.

Inside *The Madame Blanc Mysteries*

Set in the fictional French village of Sainte Victoire, *the Madame Blanc Mysteries* (filmed in Malta and Gozo) features Jean White using her knowledge to solve murders with the help of locals.Cast members include Steve Edge,Tony Robinson,sue Holderness and Robin Askwith.

Lindsay invites well-known stars to guest star on the show. Her husband Steve White and Chris Hague wrote the signature tune, and paul O’Grady previously appeared on the show.Les Dennis, Charlie Condou, Graeme Hawley and richard Blackwood also appear in the new series.

I met Richard Blackwood on a TV panel show and asked him to be in it. He smashed it as a daytime TV presenter in the episode where an antiques roadshow comes to Sainte Victoire.

Lindsay lives in London with her husband and their twins, Victor and Louie. They watch the show.

My boys prefer Peep Show, Friday Night Dinner and those teenage blokey shows, but they love watching Madame Blanc too. They come out when we’re filming,so they know the gang and everyone in it. Vic always tries to guess who did the crime in every episode – he always gets it wrong!

Looking back on her career, Lindsay reflects on the impact of *Coronation Street*.

for some people I’ll never be anybody other than Shelley Unwin – it’s one of Britain’s biggest shows and we were getting 15 million viewers a night. I’m never going to escape that, not that I ever want to – I loved that show and I still love it now. But nowadays if people recognize me, I tend to get, ‘That’s Sally Lindsay,’ or ‘That’s Madame Blanc.’”

Lindsay hopes to follow in the footsteps of Betty Driver.

I’ve no burning ambition to be in Hollywood,that’s never been a thing. I’d just like to keep making really good television and work until the end. I’d like to be like Betty Driver. She worked until three months before she died.That would be my absolute dream, to be fit and healthy and working in my 80s and 90s, right up until I died in my sleep. Work is my passion – I couldn’t stop – that wouldn’t be an option for me.

Based on Fiona CarterS career, what advice would she give to those trying to navigate the entertainment industry?

An Interview with Fiona carter: Navigating Hollywood’s Shifting Sands

By archyde.com News team | Published march 23, 2025

Archyde News: Fiona, thank you for joining us today. It’s a pleasure to have you on the show. Your journey from radio rejection to your starring role in a global hit, *The Madame Blanc Mysteries*, is truly inspiring. Can you tell us a little bit about how your early career aspirations morphed into the career you now have?

The Early Years and Unexpected Turns

Fiona Carter: Thank you for having me. It’s funny how life works. I always wanted to be in radio journalism.I spent a lot of time at Hull University, hosting a radio show. But, as the interview mentioned, I faced multiple rejections, and this was all based on my accent. looking back, I can see it set me on a path to acting I might not have ever considered.

Archyde News: It’s fascinating how a seemingly closed door can open up entirely new opportunities. You mentioned the pressure women faced in media in that era. Could you elaborate on that?

Fiona carter: Sure. There was a lot of pressure to fit a certain mold. The ‘ladette’ trend was taking off, but it always felt like you had to be conventionally attractive. It’s a challenging dynamic, especially when you just wont to be heard for your work.

From Stage to *Coronation Street*

Archyde News: Moving into your acting career you took on various acting productions. Then when did you move to television?

Fiona Carter: I got my prospect to be on television in 2000, playing Michelle in *The Royle Family*. It was a big break for me. I think it makes a difference when you just go with what you can do, and it paid off.

Archyde News: And *Coronation Street* followed soon after,solidifying your position. Can you share a bit about that experience?

Fiona Carter: *Coronation Street* was a fantastic experience. It was a cornerstone of British television. The opportunity led to other great projects, which I’m thankful for.

Creating *The Madame Blanc Mysteries*

Archyde News: And now, you’re the creative force behind *The Madame Blanc Mysteries*. It’s a testament to your versatility and drive. What inspired you to create the show?

Fiona Carter: I wanted to craft a series focused on what I appreciate in the craft. Additionally, it’s a way I could be involved from start to finish, crafting a show that resonates with audiences and, in certain moments, provides a sense of escapism.

Archyde News: The show has a global appeal. What do you think contributes to its success?

Fiona Carter: People appreciate the warmth and the clever mysteries. It’s a bit of escapism, a cozy crime show in a lovely setting.Audiences connect with the characters, I think. It’s a mix of those elements. I love that the show goes around the world.

future Aspirations and Reflections

Archyde News: Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for the future?

Fiona Carter: I admire Betty Driver’s career; I’d like to keep making good television and be fit and healthy and working in my 80s. I’d like to keep making TV.

Archyde News: What advice would you offer to those trying to navigate the entertainment industry?

Fiona Carter: Believe in your abilities. Keep creating opportunities for yourself. Be open to change – be willing to take a left turn if a door closes. The most important thing is to believe in yourself and keep working hard.

Archyde News: Thank you, Fiona, for this candid conversation. Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Fiona Carter: it’s been a pleasure. I hope viewers continue to enjoy the adventures of *Madame Blanc*. And to those aspiring to pursue their passions in the industry, what are the most tough obstacles that they have faced and how have they overcome it?

Archyde News: Thank you for sharing your story. And thank you to our audience. Stay tuned for more insights from Archyde News.