Cleaning Up follows the story of Sam (played by Sheridan Smith), an office cleaner who struggles to maintain her life as a devoted mum after becoming addicted to online gambling.
The show explores how far Sam will go to survive and at what cost. Can Sam out-smart the system and will she be able to overcome her addictive personality?
However, following episode one’s twists and turns, Sheridan has noted how viewers may well be frustrated by Sam’s decision and moral choices.
Sheridan admitted she wasn’t frustrated after reading the script, but is protective of the role, created by screenwriting newcomer Mark Marlow.
They will be frustrated that she’s doing the wrong things and it is a big moral dilemma
Sheridan Smith
The 37-year-old actress also noted how audiences always have an opinion about her work, and she hopes the audience will be torn between the differing personalities on show.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Sheridan said: “No, I wasn’t frustrated. When people do get a bit like that about the characters I can be like, ‘Well, I want to be sympathetic’ and I get protective of the role.
“Of course, people are always going to have an opinion. I’ve learnt that now. You can’t be like, ‘Love me, love me’ to everyone because they’re not going to if they don’t want to.
“I think the audience, hopefully if we’ve done out job right, the audience will be torn between what they think of her.
“They will be frustrated that she’s doing the wrong things and it is a big moral dilemma.”
She added: “But it was fun to play that. It was fun to play that! Sam so
