Leila Farzad plays the lead role in brand new gritty Leeds-based BBC crime drama Better, which was filmed in the city.
Better explores "the complex and powerful bonds of loyalty and family" as it follows the life of DI Lou Slack (Leila Farzad) her battle to find redemption after she becomes mired in corruption.
For her, it will hopefully come in the shape of bringing down Col McHugh, played Andrew Buchan, who previously she came to care for like a brother to her but is now head of a Leeds criminal underworld.
Read more: ITV's Yorkshire Ripper drama filming in Leeds
The first episode of the hugely-anticipated new drama, which is set and shot entirely in Leeds and West Yorkshire, aired on BBC One in February.
But how much do we know about DI Lou Slack star Leila Farzad?
Who is Leila Farzad?
40-year-old actress, Leila Farzad, plays corrupt police detective DI Lou Slack in BBC crime drama Better.
Prior to her debut role Leila is probably best known for playing Naomi Jones in Sky Atlantic comedy-drama I Hate Suzie, alongside Billie Piper.
However, Peppa Pig fans might recognise her voice as Mrs Cat and Mrs Pony in the popular children’s TV series, which was one of her very first TV roles.
Other credits include appearances in BBC sitcoms Twenty Twelve and This Time with Alan Partridge, as well as HBO and Sky Atlantic’s Avenue 5.
In an interview with the Independent, Leila Farzad spoke of her enthusiasm about her new starring role in BBC’s Better. She said she was “excited and trepidatious; nervous and anxious and proud all at the same time” about the new series.
“I never dared to dream that my name would be first on a cast list - I just wanted to be employed,” she explained. “So, to have that privilege is incredible, but comes with its own pressure that you do the role and the writing justice, because you’re carrying quite a lot of it on your shoulders.”
Leila's Family Life
Leila Farzard has been married to her husband, James, since October 2013.
The two share a daughter together named Allegra Noor Maizels, who was was born on October 9, 2014.
Leila and James were friends for more than six years before getting into a relationship, but later gained feelings for each other.
The actress has previously credited her husband for being constantly supportive and a great co-parent to their daughter.
Andrew Buchan rumours
It has come out in the press recently that Andrew Buchan 'left' his Emmerdale actress wife Amy Nuttall for Leila Farzad after they 'got close working on the set of BBC Better.
A source told The Sun: 'It was a huge shock. Amy is heartbroken.' Andrew is said to have told Amy that their marriage was over before Christmas, leaving the actress devastated and their friends in a state of shock.
The source added: “For Andrew to walk away from his family was a huge shock to us all – and Amy is heartbroken. Everyone who knows them thought they were going to be together forever.
“But he's packed his bags and left with his new co-star. Whatever has gone on, it seems to have been enough for him to re-evaluate his whole life and rip up their marriage. Nobody is quite sure of the exact details, but Andrew has clearly had his head turned pretty dramatically.”
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