Fans of hit series Killing Eve know Fiona Shaw as Carolyn Martens – a cool, mysterious spymaster. In recent episodes the buttoned-up MI6 boss has been struggling to express her feelings over the death of her son Kenny.
And daughter Geraldine’s efforts to make Carolyn “emote” have resulted in some brilliant tragicomedy moments from the award-winning actress.
But in real life Fiona can speak movingly about the life-changing impact of loss. Because her visceral reaction to one woman’s heart-rending story led them both to new love and life.
Six years ago, while performing on Broadway in the one-woman play Testament of Mary, Fiona read a book called The Wave. It was Dr Sonali Deraniyagala’s account of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, which killed