As Vigil wows audiences, expert reveals how the BBC casts similar looking women like Suranne Jones, Keeley Hawes and Vicky McClure in lead roles – as they are ‘pleasing to both sexes’ and ‘break the typically blonde stereotype’

• Dr Ross Perry – Medical Director of Cosmedics in the UK – shared his thoughts
• READ MORE: Suranne Jones is hailed ‘phenomenal’ in ‘thrilling’ return of BBC drama Vigil

The BBC is casting ‘strong, independent women in their 40’s’, who are brunette, in lead roles because they are ‘aesthetically pleasing to both sexes’ and focus audiences on the role without ‘being distracted by a typically blonde stereotype’, a cosmetics expert has said.

Dr Ross Perry – Medical Director of Cosmedics in the UK – told FEMAIL that stars like Suranne Jones, who has wowed audiences with her return to Vigil, Keeley Hawes, known for her scene-stealing performance in Bodyguard, and Vicky McClure – of Line of Duty fame – are  not only ageing gracefully, but ‘ooze sophistication’.

‘They are admired by women for their non-threatening appearance, so we focus on their role as an actress,’ he explained. 

‘These women could well live next door to us, they ooze sophistication that we almost feel like they could be one of our friends.

‘Men also admire them, for the strong, capabilities and attractiveness which is attainable and realistic for women of their age.’

Dr Ross Perry – Medical Director of Cosmedics in the UK – said that stars like Suranne Jones (pictured in 2018), who has wowed audiences with her return to Vigil – are not only ageing gracefully, but ‘ooze sophistication’

Because of this, we as viewers also ‘very quickly buy into their characters as believable and realistic’. 

‘We envisage their height, hair colour, minimal make-up and of course them being attractive rather than stunningly beautiful which makes them a good choice to cast in a BBC Show,’ he revealed.

Dr Perry branded stars like Suranne, Keeley and Vicky as ‘the star performers rather than their male counterparts’ – who are now ‘paving their way and showcasing their talent with a streamlined look rather than using “sex appeal” which was what women used to be cast as’.

‘On paper, all of these actresses, show what a modern, sophisticated women in their 40’s in 2023 should look like, in comparison to twenty years ago.’

The expert says they are also ‘ageing well’. 

‘Their skin looks great, their hair shiny and lustrous their bodies slim yet strong,’ he added.

‘The hair is on trend for a woman of their age as is their sense of fashion.’

Meanwhile, a culture expert has also posited that the casting of similar looking women for  lead roles comes down to produces seeing what works and ‘mass producing it’. 

Hayley Knight, Communications Director at BE YELLOW, said: ‘It’s always great to see women in main roles, in major TV series or films, but sometimes there can be a wave of actors who look the same, have the same features or hairstyles, and even dress alike.

 The BBC is casting ‘strong, independent women in their 40’s’, who are brunette, in lead roles because they are ‘aesthetically pleasing to both sexes’ a cosmetics expert has said. Vicky McClure pictured in 2017

Dr Perry branded stars like Suranne, Keeley (pictured in 2013) and Vicky as ‘the star performers rather than their male counterparts’

‘This is because, once producers and casting directors discover what works, they mass produce the result, and then this is what sets a trend.

‘We see it all the time – once Hollywood producers realised that people were positively responding to Margot Robbie, we saw the rise of lookalikes Emma McKay and Samara Weaving.’

She explained that while these women are ‘very talented’, that isn’t the only factor being put into play. 

‘The audience needs to respond to you as a person, and the attitude is often, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, which is why we often see actors who look similar at similar times,’ Hayley continued. 

‘This is the case for the “BBC face”. Keeley, Suranne and Vicky respond well to their audience.

The expert says they are also ‘ageing well’. Pictured left to right: Suranne in 2019, Keeley in 2013 and Vicky in 2023

Ex Corrie star has been branded phenomenal in her return to the role as Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva in BBC ‘s thriller Vigil. The show’s cast pictured last month

‘They are relatable, natural looking women. Viewers respond well to these factors, and from a marketing perspective, it makes sense to use similar actors across a programme’s TV shows as it’s likely to increase engagement and ratings – after all, aren’t we now talking about how they all look the same.’

She said that beyond looking similar, the women will also have access to the same clothes and hair stylists and makeup artists.

‘It really does all boil down to data,’ Hayley concluded. ‘And cast choices across various shows are made due to viewing numbers, audience engagement online and reviews of similar shows.’

Lauren Chiren, founder of Women of a Certain Stage, also remarked that the casting of these women helps provide many female viewer with the ‘connection and gratification that they are looking for’.

‘We live in a time where viewers are looking for connection when it comes to their TV shows, and the way to do this is to cast actors who are relatable, and represent the intended audience,’ she remarked. 

‘Keeley, Suranne and Vicky all represent the “midlife” demographic, and in a world still plagued by ageism, this representation is fantastic, and much needed within the realms of media, and showcases what women are capable of.

Ex Corrie star has been branded phenomenal in her return to the role as Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva in BBC ‘s thriller Vigil

‘And the fact that they all play strong women, with a range of natural emotions, provides viewers with the connection and gratification that they are looking for.

‘Producers and casting directors learn quickly what works when it comes to casting. 

‘If the intended audience and demographic are connecting and engaging with one particular actor, character or storyline, they will continue to emulate this, which is why we see similar looking women on our screens.’

Ex Corrie star has been branded phenomenal in her return to the role as Detective Chief Inspector Amy Silva in BBC’s thriller Vigil.

The Manchester-born actress has been lauded for her chemistry with onscreen love interest Detective Sergeant Kirsten Longacre (praised by Rose Leslie) with many dubbing her acting ‘incredible’ and the story ‘thrilling’.

The show, which returned to screens recently and is also available on BBC iPlayer, follows on from season one, which was one of the biggest TV hits of 2021, with more than 12 million tuning in.

Season one was a cat-and-mouse thriller set aboard a Royal Navy nuclear submarine mired in espionage and murder, where Suranne excelled as DCI Amy Silva, a detective-turned-action hero who battled evil submariners and her own sense of claustrophobia, and the gripping series won an International Emmy for Best Drama Series and was nominated for a BAFTA. 

Now, there is no locked room element to the mystery, but instead DCI Silva and DS Longacre are transported to a Royal Air Force base in Scotland.

When a training exercise at the fictional Dundair air base to show off an attack drone to foreign buyers goes terribly wrong, several military personnel are killed.

Meanwhile, Vicky, who played Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in Line Of Duty is soon to be starring in the second season of TV series Trigger Point

Dougray Scott, Romola Garai and Alastair Mackenzie bring added star power as Air Force officers drawn in to the subsequent police investigation.

Viewers have been quick to brand Suranne a ‘modern day Anne Lister’ referring to her Gentleman Jack character.

Meanwhile, Vicky, who played Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in Line Of Duty is soon to be starring in the second season of TV series Trigger Point.

The crime series sees Vicky play ex-military bomb disposal expert Lana Washington, an Afghan war veteran now leading the Metropolitan Police bomb squad.

The drama centres on Metropolitan Police Bomb Disposal Squad officers who risk their lives daily on ‘the long walk’ towards danger.

Trigger Point was written by screenwriting newcomer Daniel Brierley and produced by Jed’s HTM Television.

Series one focused on a terrorist campaign that threatened the capital over the summer with the bomb disposal operatives or ‘Expos’, at the forefront of urgent efforts to find out who is behind the bombings before fatalities escalate.

Nearly 11 million viewers watched the first episode and the series averaged 9.24 million viewers per episodes 1-4, as the audience enjoyed the series on ITV, ITV Hub and BritBox.

Season 2 will see Lana and her officers up against a terrorist group targeting London, leaving clues for them to find as they prepare to attack in different locations.

And Keeley has completely changed up her look as she stepped back in time for her new role.

Meanwhile, Vicky (pictured in May) who played Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in Line Of Duty is soon to be starring in the second season of TV series Trigger Point

The actress is starring in the BBC’s star-studded production of Gill Hornby’s best-selling and much loved novel Miss Austen.

The adaptation, from BAFTA-winning writer Andrea Gibb, sees Keeley star as Cassandra Austen who discovers a stash of Jane Austen’s private letters after her death.

Transforming herself for the role, Keeley has ditched her golden choppy bob and dyed her hair a dark brunette.

In newly-released pictures, the star’s locks were styled in a wavy chignon as she kept her makeup to a minimum and in keeping with the 1830 setting. She is seen in an old fashioned navy, long-sleeved dress.

Keeley will star alongside Patsy Ferran, Jessica Hynes and Mirren Mack in the four-part drama.

Directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Aisling Walsh, filming for the literary mystery began in the UK last month with an expected release date scheduled for late 2024.

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