Petra Markham has been an actress for seven years - but when she auditioned for her latest TV role in Thames' series, "Ace of Wands", she was scared stiff.
"I had been out of work for so long that I had no confidence at all," she told me.
"It was like being back to square one and starting all over again. I was convinced I didn't stand a chance."
Petra did get the part, however, which ended several miserable months sitting in her flat in Bayswater, London, waiting for the phone to ring.
Petra's previous TV series was in Yorkshire's "Albert and Victoria" a year ago.
Since then all she had done until this series was one play in the "Thirty Minute Theatre" series.
"My life virtually stopped when I stopped working," she said.
"I should have tried to get another job to fill in the time, but I just stayed home and got more miserable."
Petra occupied the time painting and writing. She has written several poems, none published, and a play which she started three years ago has still not finished.
"I can't decide how to end it - at least that is what I tell myself."
"The problem is that if I do finish it I will then have to do something about it - and I'm frightened no one will like it."
- Joanna Watts
The article was accompanied by a photograph of Petra captioned Petra Markham - one acting job in a year. The newspaper from which the article originated is currently unknown.