Michelle Keegan has finally had her hotly anticipated debut in the leading role in the BBC’s second series of Our Girl.
And, after months of waiting to see how she would tackle the role of Corporal Georgie Lane, viewers were full of praise… but it was mostly for her stunning appearance, rather than her actual performance.
Fans dubbed the 29-year-old as “beautiful” and “stunning” in her portrayal of the Army medic, especially considering the hot and dusty conditions of the show, which was filmed in South Africa.
poor girl, she must get sick of people focusing on how hot she is, having her gorgeous looks constantly overshadow her talent.
The former Corrie star also had to contend with a stream of comparisons with EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, who starred in the first series of the drama.
Michelle took over in the starring position in the drama from the soap actress, who played Molly Dawes, a down-and-out young woman who joins the Army due to her life going nowhere.
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Former Coronation Street actress Michelle was revealed as Lacey’s replacement after the latter decided not to take part in the next instalment of Our Girl.
Still, Michelle got a lot of support from fellow celebrities…
The second series opened with Georgie being dispatched to Kenya on a humanitarian mission, after being jilted at the altar.
It was a dramatic opener, as she battled with adverse conditions at the start of her six-week posting in the African country, and the episode ended with her being taken hostage by Al-Shabaab militants.
She said the role had amplified her respect for people in the armed forces: “Don’t get me wrong, you always respect people in the armed forces, but I have newfound respect for them, it is unbelievable what they do for the country.”
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The series also stars Luke Pasqualino as Special Forces officer Elvis Harte, and Ben Aldridge as Captain Charles James.
Our Girl continues next Wednesday at 9pm on BBC One.