As season three of Hidden Assets continues on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player on Sunday nights, star Cathy Belton talks to Harry Guerin about playing forensic accountant Norah Dillon and meeting the real-life people who work in the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
Watch: The trailer for season three of Hidden Assets
Harry Guerin: Coming into the remaining episodes of this season, what's happening with Norah and the new detective, Liam Boylan, who's treading on her toes?
Cathy Belton: I think one of the greatest additions to this new series is the character of Liam, played by the wonderful Dónall Ó Héalai. And I think Norah's world is turned upside down. I think Norah is a workaholic who would do anything for her job - and suddenly she is landed with somebody who would step over her dead head to get to the very top. So, she's dealing with all kinds of politics for the first time in the office, and it's a really great dynamic. What's so powerful about the show is we're seeing the work family, the family dynamic of this team, and Dónall coming in as Liam has set the cat among the pigeons. It's heating up nicely.
What I think is so brilliant about Norah is she's so lost in her work that she doesn't even have time to bitch about him or turn on him. The work for Norah has always been the most important thing in her life. A lesser person would turn on Liam, but she realises she doesn't want to blow the dynamic of the team, so she's taking an awful lot of s*** at the moment from him! I think the audiences are in for a good ride in the next few episodes. I think it's fairly clear from episode one that Liam is in it for other reasons. I think the seeds were planted in episode one...
Perhaps people here at home don't realise the reach of Hidden Assets around the world. You were on a plane in Frankfurt, travelling to Serbia, and you met a fan.
(Laughs) It was wonderful because it's sold internationally. It seems to be going down very well. It was such a little pocket of joy being recognised for Norah! This German saying, 'Where's your whiteboard?!' I was looking around for the candid camera! I think that's testament to the show and that European feel that it has. It's an international show but with a great Irish DNA in it.
When you met the real-life people from the Criminal Assets Bureau, was there one pearl of wisdom or one insight they gave you above any others that proved invaluable for the character of Norah?
It was the absolute forensic dotting of every 'i' and crossing of every 't' - the level of research and detail that these people do because everything has to be approved by the courts. I found that fascinating. The painful, forensic hard work - and they could be working on something for a couple of years - that's what really blew my mind. Also, led by the wonderful Michael Gubbins (Head of CAB, Detective Chief Superintendent), the respect the colleagues have for each other. It's a real team. I took away that, and that's what we're trying to portray in the show. It's a real collaboration. These people are working very closely together under great pressure.
From the time you started working on season one, did you always get the sense there would be more seasons?
I wasn't aware we were going to do a season two and, indeed, a season three. I don't think any actor ever presumes until it's out there. But I did see a real hunger from the audience. What's really interesting about Hidden Assets is the audience are given a real insight into what's otherwise a very private, secret organisation. I think audiences love looking behind the curtain. I knew people really enjoyed it, but you never presume. I would have hoped, and, indeed, it's great to be allowed go into another season. It gets deeper and writers start [expanding the world], and tone and character development are always really exciting to play.
Have you heard anything about a season four?
No. We've just come out of season three, so it's all in the lap of the gods now to see will they go with a season four. It's a joy to play Norah, and it's a joy to collaborate with such a strong team of actors.
Did you keep Norah's tank top?
(Laughs) No! I'll tell you what I kept: I kept the red pen! I have the red pen - the red marker from season one - and I have kept Norah's shoes! Because Norah has to be in comfortable shoes because she's standing a lot of the time. Her pen from season one is kind of like a little lucky thing for me now.
What's coming next for you?
I just finished a period drama called The Hardacres (TV series). That's been shot here, even though it's set in Yorkshire. It's set in the 1800s, and that will be out in the New Year.
Hidden Assets, RTÉ One and RTÉ Player, 9:30pm
Main photo credits:
Photographer: Barry McCall
Stylist: Catherine Condell
Styling assistant: Clodagh Hannon
Make Up: Ellie Murphy
Hairdressing: Bernadette Byrnes
