Sought-after star Sheridan Smith could be too busy to return to Jonathan Creek when it begins filming on the recently commissioned mini-series. 

The 31-year-old actress, who has also appeared in Mr Stink, Gavin & Stacey and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, is reprising her role as the detective's sidekick Joey Ross for the Easter special, but doesn't know if she'll be able to take part when filming resumes in the autumn.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com at last night's Royal Television Society Programme Awards, Smith said: "I don’t know. I really want to [do Jonathan Creek] but I’m doing Midsummer Night’s Dream in the evenings so it’s whether we can work the dates.

"I’d hate to have to leave it, but Alan [Davies] and his duffle coat will be a winner always, no matter who’s with him."

Smith said she'd enjoyed returning to the quirky detective drama for the upcoming special, The Clue of the Savant's Thumb: "It was exciting to get back to Jonathan Creek. We’ve all been like family. We haven’t done it for three years so to all be back together for the special was lovely."

Following a spectacular 2012 on both stage and screen – which saw her among the nominees in the best actress category at last night's awards – the Mrs Biggs star has plenty to keep her busy in the coming months.

"I’m about to start filming for a BBC1 drama and then I’m doing a film in a few months," she revealed. "The film is called Belly Dancing for Beginners. I don’t know to how bellydance – I’ve got to learn!"

BBC drama Jonathan Creek follows Alan Davies's eponymous character, whose day job as a creative consultant to a magician equips him with the skills to solve mysteries in his spare time. Since the series began in 1997, his female partners in crime-solving have been played by Caroline Quentin, Julia Sawalha and Smith.