Kacey Ainsworth has revealed how money once forced her to make a difficult choice between two acting jobs.
A Grantchester star has spoken candidly about the financial uncertainty that can come with working as an actor, recalling a role she was unable to accept despite being thrilled to have been offered it.
Kacey Ainsworth, who plays Cathy Keating in the popular drama, has described how financial pressures shaped some of the decisions she made during the earlier stages of her career.
The actress was once offered a small part in a Channel 4 programme she regarded as particularly exciting. However, the three-day filming commitment clashed with another production that would have kept her working for 12 weeks.
Although the Channel 4 opportunity was the one she really wanted, Ainsworth said the reality of paying her bills meant she had to choose the longer job.
Her experience highlights one of the less visible challenges of working in television. Actors can face long periods between jobs, while auditions, training and travel can all bring costs of their own.
Ainsworth has previously spoken about how difficult it can be for performers without financial support from their families to establish themselves in the industry.
She has argued that having enough money to survive between jobs can make a significant difference, particularly when an actor is trying to build relationships with agents and secure better opportunities.
For Ainsworth, taking regular work was essential rather than being able to wait for the perfect part, she said she needed to consider the financial security that each job could provide.
The actress’s career has nevertheless gone from strength to strength. She first became widely known to television audiences through her role as Little Mo Slater in EastEnders.
Her performance in the BBC soap established her as a recognisable figure on British television before she moved into a variety of other acting roles.
She later joined the cast of Grantchester, the period crime drama filmed in and around the Cambridgeshire village that gives the series its name.
Ainsworth plays Cathy Keating, the wife of detective Geordie Keating. Her character has remained an important part of the show’s wider story as the series has explored marriage, family life and the personal pressures faced by its central characters.
She previously revealed the secret to working with Robson Green. During an appearance on The One Show, the actress told hosts Lauren Laverne and Roman Kemp that the Grantchester cast have to be careful around Robson until he has had his first cup of coffee of the day.
At the time, she said: “It was you have to laugh at all of his jokes like you’ve heard them the first time — act surprise, surprise. I would say just make sure that Robson’s had a nice cup of coffee in the morning, that would help.”
Laverne quipped: “Robson’s sounding quite high maintenance…” Ainsworth interrupted: “No, he’s definitely not high maintenance! He’s absolutely brilliant.
“I mean he’s one of the executive producers and was really, supportive of me doing this, doing the writing of the episode, So yeah, I mean, he’s fantastic… After a coffee.”
You can stream Grantchester on ITVX
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