MyAnna Buring has said she thoroughly researched what pregnancy is like for different women for her role as an expectant mother in new BBC crime drama In The Dark.

The Swedish actress – known for her roles in Ripper Street, Downton Abbey and the Twilight Saga films – plays detective Helen Weeks in the forthcoming TV version of Mark Billingham’s novel of the same name, the adaptation penned by Bafta-winning writer Danny Brocklehurst.

The four-part series sees Helen drawn into two challenging and personal cases at the start of her journey towards motherhood – one involving the husband of a former school friend, while another brutal tragedy drags her into Manchester’s dark criminal underbelly.

Although strong-willed and never fazed by a difficult case, Helen’s tough exterior hides an inner conflict and a painful past, and she is left questioning her closest relationships as the story develops.

Buring’s on-screen alter-ego is expecting a child with her partner and fellow detective Paul – played by Shameless star Ben Batt – while fighting crime, and the actress said she had to delve deep to get into the psyche of an expectant mother.

She said: “As always, I get most of my information from the script. It was Danny’s script that informed the structure that I hung Helen’s coat on (so to speak). Then I went to Mark’s books to add in more layers.

“There were certain elements that had changed in Danny’s interpretation of Mark’s books and in this instance it felt good for me to know that difference and find a truth between the two.

In The Dark
In The Dark (Todd Anthony/BBC)

“I also researched what pregnancy was like for different women.”

Buring added: “And then cherry-picked for myself what possible aspects fitted best with Helen’s experience and what we needed her to be able to do: how pregnancy affected her physically and emotionally, how she would feel about being pregnant.”

She said: “I did some research into abuse and grief, particularly looking into what that might mean for somebody working in the police force.”

Buring said Helen is tough and has a “maverick quality” to her, while also being “witty, determined and compassionate”.

The gritty drama series will appeal to audiences because the characters are flawed, Buring said.

In The Dark
In The Dark (Matt Squire/BBC)

“What I hope we have been able to achieve is a plethora of characters that audiences can really invest in – that they can go on a journey with, care for, be moved by,” he said.

“In this series, we are dealing with so many different issues and crises; it’s a roller coaster ride of a thriller.

“I feel very much that all the characters are real human beings – they are flawed, they’re not perfect and that is what makes them interesting – not only to play, but also to watch.”

:: In The Dark airs on BBC One from July 11 at 9pm.