Sarah Lancashire is reportedly hanging up her acting boots to try something entirely different - working behind the camera. The A-list actress first shot to fame as Raquel Wolstenhulme on Coronation Street from 1991 until 1996, before briefly returning in 2000.
Over the years she's become one of Britain's best-loved actresses, even snagging a BAFTA nomination this week for her role as Police Sergeant Catherine Cawood in the BBC drama Happy Valley.
And while she's still receiving accolades for her work in Happy Valley, after bringing home awards for Best Drama Performance and Special Recognition at the 2023 National Television Awards Sarah might be ready for a change of scenery.
A source close to the actress has now told Daily Mail: "Sarah adores acting but the idea of producing had been niggling at her. She decided, once Happy Valley was over that it was a good time to get it under way. She is so excited.
"It has been so exciting for her that even when she won her outstanding achievement award at the National Television Awards last year, she had to dash home as she was up early the next day, telling everyone she is producing now. She may have found a new passion, Sarah has never loved the limelight anyway."
OK! have contacted representatives for Sarah Lancashire.
Sarah has been talking about getting into TV production for a while now and earlier this year, she shared her excitement about starting her own company called Via Pictures. Speaking to Deadline in January she said: "It's a small production company, and we're very much about developing our own ideas and fresh takes on existing ideas."
Last September, Sarah was honoured with a special recognition award at the 2023 NTAs - which was presented to her by screen icon Sir Ian McKellen, 84. She told the audience: "You have no idea what it's like to have so many lovely things said about you by so many people you love and admire. This gentleman [Sir Ian] in particular."
"I have been so very fortunate to spend my working life doing a job that I love, made possible by brilliantly talented people - producers, directors, writers, actors - and I am exceptionally lucky to have enjoyed every moment of it. But there are also enablers who stand very quietly in the wings without expectation or due credit, they are my family, my husband, my children, my friends, my agent Nick, thank you."
"And of course a very vital component in this is you, the audience. Without you, all this would grind to a crashing halt. So carry on doing what you're doing, keep watching, and we'll keep doing what we do. Thank you so much for this, it's very special."
