Baxendale takes on movie boss from hell

Helen Baxendale is about to deal with a particularly nasty movie boss.

The star of ITV's Cold Feet is back on the West End stage in Swimming With Sharks, a satire of the LA film world, with Christian Slater as the film chief from hell, Buddy Ackerman.

Baxendale will play the role of sexy, savvy producer Dawn Ackroyd. The play at the Vaudeville Theatre will be her first theatrical appearance since her third child, Vincent, was born last year. She said she was thrilled to be back.

As rehearsals began, she added: "It's really exciting. I'm this big, ballsy character and the play is fantastic and funny." Working with Slater - last seen in London in One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest - was great fun. "He's so full of energy and life," she said.

Baxendale, 38, said of combining motherhood and acting: "It's a perfect work-life balance at the moment."

Swimming With Sharks is based on the 1994 movie starring Kevin Spacey. The play, directed by Wilson Milam, previews from 5 October.