Kacey Ainsworth plays dedicated Inspector Jenny Black in precinct drama HolbyBlue. After being caught having an affair in series one by her husband, Jenny’s marriage seems to be back in the pink, especially since she’s now heavily pregnant with her third child!
In a storyline mirrored by her own second pregnancy, Kacey takes a break from the hassles of running uniform and, outside of work, caring for her own newcomer Woody, to chat to holby.tv about her role…
In series one, Jenny and her husband had a strained relationship. How are they faring this series?
Well, she’s pregnant! I think the baby means their relationship must be back on track; it could also be a sticking plaster – only time will tell.
What was it like filming the series whilst being pregnant yourself?
It was lovely; there was lots of on-set speculation about what sex my baby was. The baby was given the nickname “Sweeney” and I was generally spoilt rotten. My bump was quite large towards the end, due to all the on-set catering and everyone making me sit down to rest between takes.
In the series, the team also places bets on the baby’s sex. Do you think she’s wise to their antics?
Jenny always wanted everyone to treat her exactly the same as before she was pregnant, but she knows everything that goes on in the station and what her team is like. So she definitely suspects that there has been a book going all along.
In episode eight, Jenny decides to take early maternity leave. What triggers her sudden departure?
She has a scare and thinks she may have lost the baby. This makes her realise she cannot do everything she wants to and she has to get her priorities straight. The team is her family, too, so like all working mums, she feels guilty for leaving them in the lurch. Thankfully, she knows both her and the baby’s health should come first, plus, with Christian (Custody Sergeant Christian Young, played by James Hillier) in charge, they will cope without her.
How does Jenny feel about her last day at work?
Jenny has always been very career orientated, even during her previous pregnancies, but she is an older mum and realises she’s unable to do the same things she did during her younger years.
Why doesn’t the team throw a big farewell party?
Well, originally, we were planning to film a lovely group farewell but, due to my own baby trying to make an early entrance, we had to change the script and arrange for Jenny to sneak out the back door!
Were you nervous about having your pregnancy written into the storyline or did you enjoy showing off your bump?
You always feel a little nervous when your real life crosses over into your work, in case anything should go wrong, which could be very traumatic. However, my pregnancy was well established and I was very well looked after by the whole team. As for showing off my bump, you wouldn’t have been able to do anything else as it was absolutely huge!
What’s it like being a mother for the second time?
Mad, wonderful and knackering all at once.
Lots of the cast on HolbyBlue have recently had or are having children. How has that affected relationships on set?
It makes it very special that we all know each other’s children and partners. We are all very honest and no one comes in and describes their child as a genius or pretends they’re perfect. We all trade the ups and downs of parenthood, especially as all of our children are so young. It’s absolutely wonderful to have so much baby talk on set; now we just need to co-ordinate our childcare.
Your HolbyBlue co-star, Zoe Lucker (who plays Kate Keenan), has recently announced she’s pregnant. Has she asked you for any tips on motherhood?
I absolutely love Zoe, she is wonderful, and if she wanted any advice I’m sure she would ask for it. I think she is going to be a great mum.
As well as becoming a mum again, you’ve also been busy building a new house. How is the project coming along?
We are nearly finished now and enjoying the great part near the end, where we can choose furnishings and paint. I can’t wait to move in. It’s an eco house and I wouldn’t have tried to build it any other way; it’s the most responsible thing to do for the planet.
