Down Cemetery Road star Emma Thompson is this week's Radio Times cover star

When Dame Emma Thompson agreed to write an exclusive piece for us about her new series Down Cemetery Road, based on the novel by Mick Herron, I was thrilled.

I devoured the first few episodes of the drama and requested more. (This is rare because, as we have established, I have two kids, and a watchlist as long as my to-do list and the editor is still missing – the final clue is inside this week's issue).

While you expect brilliance from Emma, there are no guarantees in TV. But when her PR emailed to say she had delivered her copy and "it's absolutely excellent" my heart sank.

The piece sat in my inbox for a week unopened as the dread mounted. There was no possible way that her words could live up to my expectation... I'll say no more but let you read it for yourselves.

Enjoy, my work here is done!

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Also in this week's Radio Times:

• Vicky McClure reveals what she and her Line of Duty pals would like to do next.
• This Country stars Daisy May and Charlie Cooper are going on a ghost hunt - if they can put their fierce sibling rivalry to one side.
• Ben Stiller made a film about his famous parents - and discovered himself along the way.

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