Sophie Rundle On The Return Of ITV's Climate Fiction Drama, After The Flood
One of ITV's top dramas of 2025 is back for another series this weekend, with Sophie Rundle reprising her role as Detective Joanna Marshall – this time sans baby bump. We sat down with the Peaky Blinders star to find out more about After the Flood series 2.
After the Flood is back. Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show?
"The show follows Joanna Marshall, my character, who was training to be a detective in Waterside police force in series 1. She was born and raised in the local community, and her dad was a brilliant detective before he passed away a couple of years ago. She's still dealing with that. She works alongside her husband, and in series 1, she was pregnant when there was a huge flood and a body was found. All was not as it seemed, and she was dragged into a murky pool of corruption. It also explores the impact of climate change on small communities."
Series 2 opens a year after the end of series 1. Jo has her baby now, and she's grappling with the aftermath of series 1: DS Phil Mackie (Nicholas Gleaves) is corrupt, and Jo and her husband Pat (Matt Stokoe) are determined to bring him down. She's still trying to piece together the truth from series 1: Who is trustworthy? Who is a liar? And then, a body turns up on the local moorland, adding another layer of mystery. Jo gets the chance to test her detective skills, but it pulls her deeper into the community's secrets.
Sophie Rundle as Joanna Marshall in After the Flood. (© ITV/Quay Street Productions)
How would you describe Jo?
"Jo is a salt of the earth. She's well-liked in her community and a good person, but she's also tenacious to the point of being slightly unhinged in a nice way! She's determined to the point of a blind spot, with a fierce moral compass. While many would stop at self-preservation, she doesn't – she just pushes through without considering the consequences. This makes her a compelling protagonist, propelling the story further than most."
I enjoy playing her, and I love the dynamics of the people around her. I think Mick (Ford) writes the dynamic between Jo and her mum, Molly (Lorraine Ashbourne), beautifully. Those scenes are so much fun to film, and I think that's something people enjoy about the show: it feels like a real family in a real community."
How did it feel to return for series 2?
"We didn't know there would be a second series – it was recommissioned based on viewer feedback. So, it was great to come back with most of the same cast and crew. There was a real sense of continuity between the two series. And I was glad to avoid the pregnancy bump this time! It was a real drag by the end of series 1."
The shoot was enjoyable. Everyone was fun to work with, especially with new characters like Jill Halfpenny and Alan Armstrong. They brought a fresh energy to the production."
Do you have any standout moments from filming?
"Stunt sequences are always fun. There's a different energy when you're doing those. There was also a memorable day when we filmed a sequence on the moors where a body is discovered. The weather was unpredictable: we had snow, hail, thunderstorms, and scorching summer heat. It was a challenging couple of days, but then we had a beautiful sunny break. So, we were shooting a story about murders on the moorland, but when we took a lunch break, it was sunny, and everyone was in T-shirts, eating lunch like a school picnic. It was a funny moment!"
We don't often see climate fiction like this. Tell me more about that.
"I think it's an unavoidable part of modern life now, and we need to find ways to explore and communicate about it. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by climate change discourse, and it can be self-flagellating to talk about. It's a massive issue, and you might ask, 'What can I do about it?'"
"Distilling the impact of climate change on a small, relatable community makes it more immediate, tangible, and approachable. If we can incorporate climate change into our entertainment, we might find a way to engage with it. That's what After the Flood does well. It's present but not overwhelming. It's an inevitable part of modern life, and you can take from it what you want, hopefully sparking conversations that are instructive and engaging rather than chastising."
Jill Halfpenny as Sam Bradley & Sophie Rundle as Joanna Marshall in After the Flood. (© ITV/Quay Street Productions)
Anything in the series that you're particularly excited for audiences to see?
"There's a great finale that will be quite surprising. If people come back because they like the characters, I think series 2 really does justice to them and moves them into a new place. There are new dynamics to explore. It's great to see Jo and Pat navigate parenthood and how it changes their lives. Series 2 is just as intense as series 1."
Anything you can tease about the possibility of a third series?
"I don't know! They never tell actors, as we can't be trusted. If there were to be a series 3, it would depend on whether people watch series 2."
Do you have any other roles in the pipeline that you're excited about?
"There are some things I can't discuss, but the Peaky Blinders film is coming out this year, which was nice to revisit."
What was it like to film the Peaky Blinders film?
"It was great! I had just had my second son, so it was a blur. The last year has been a blur of new babies and revisiting roles from my past, feeling older and more tired. It was nice to do two familiar jobs, albeit on a larger scale. There was comfort in that."
Do you have a favorite project you look back on?
"Peaky Blinders, of course, as it has been a significant part of my career. After the Flood has been a joyful experience, thanks to the people involved, both in front and behind the camera. Working with Matt, my real-life partner, who plays Pat, was strange and lovely. I also love filming in Manchester, where we film this show. It's always a treat to spend a couple of months there."
Excluding Matt, who has been your favorite actor to work with in the past?
"I love working with Lorraine Ashbourne, who plays my mum. I get so excited around her; I think she's one of our best actors. She has an amazing energy. The scenes with Jo and Molly are some of my favorites because they feel so real. I also love Suranne Jones, a good friend of mine. Cillian Murphy is amazing, and seeing his career trajectory has been amazing. I feel privileged to have worked with some of the most amazing actors in the country. It's one of the best parts of the job. I didn't know Jill and Alan before After the Flood, but they were both delightful people. It was a real treat."
Lorraine Ashbourne as Molly & Sophie Rundle as Joanna Marshall in After the Flood. (© ITV/Quay Street Productions)
How do you find balance between your personal and work lives, especially raising a young family?
"Finding balance is a constant challenge. It's about righting the ship with help. You can't pretend to have it all under control. It's about support from family, a very understanding partner, and outsourcing help. When we filmed After the Flood, our parents helped with my eldest son, and I brought the baby with me for part of it, with an amazing nanny. It's a team effort. Working postpartum, it was great to have flexible and understanding people. You don't always get it right, but when you do, it's brilliant. When you don't, you're more tired than you think! But you just keep pushing forward."
It was strange filming After the Flood. I would leave my one-year-old at home, change his diaper, and give him breakfast. Then, I'd go to work and be given someone else's one-year-old. It was a bit of a head-scramble!"
How do you think we can all live a little bit better?
"I don't know, but if you find out, tell me! Modern life is so volatile and noisy. I think patience and empathy are the keys. Try to soften, listen, and be less reactive. Be patient with yourself. Eat a lot of chocolate biscuits. Don't get too hung up on anything."
Sophie Rundle stars in After The Flood, returning Sunday night at 9 pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
WATCH (https://www.itv.com/watch/after-the-flood/10a1446)
