Umera Ahmad

I don't write constantly; it's two serials and a novel a year.

The Pakistani woman's image internationally is perceived to be regressive, which is not true.

The intricacies, the problems, the trials and tribulations in relationships inspire me to give words to people's journeys.

Channel 4 are a great bunch of people to work with and the crew are lovely. Working at ITV was like being in the court of Caligula.

When I do my makeup, it kind of helps me get into the character that I'm trying to portray.

If you're going to go to an audition, you don't want to go in trying to force yourself into some archetype that has been thought up by a director and translated by a casting director.