She was the actress who claimed to be “The spy Jason King left out in the cold” Rosemary Nicols, alias Annabelle Hurst in Department S.
After landing the plum role of Anna Sargeyevna classic serial, ‘Fathers and Sons’, shown on BBC 1 in October of 1971 Rosemary, then 29, all but disappeared from our screens after marrying her 53-year-old fiancé, Freddie Mullaly and starting a new life in Malta. Her hopes that the part of Anna Sargeyevna would change her career was short lived, although her feeling towards the series which made her an household name would remain with her for much longer.
“I was not only delighted to get out of Department S, but relieved too,” says Rosemary. “After 14 months trying to make sense out of all that nonsense, the script to Father and Sons came as a real tonic”.
Although Rosemary says that she found her Co-star Joel Fabiani to be “OK”, she claims that there was a great deal of rivalry between Peter Wyngarde and herself, and was not unduly troubled when the series came to an end.
“28 shows were quite enough,” she admits. “In any other series each of the main characters have a chance to be the central person in about one in three episodes. That just never happened in Department S, and I got awfully fed up playing a constant second fiddle to Peter Wyngarde”.
During an interview in 1997, Peter said that both he and Joel Ms. Nicols difficult to work with. “We didn’t hit it off with ‘knickers’ as we called her, because she decided she was going to be the star of the show and actors don’t like that”
On the same week that Fathers and Sons was broadcast, Rosemary had her first novel published, and says that this was a turning in her career. Annabel Hurst was now nothing but a distant memory.
“I tried to develop the role as far as I was allowed, but it was obvious Annabelle had to have a lot more to do and say if she was to be anything effective.
“But they just didn’t let that happen. There was obviously a distinct Jason King bias, and I knew I was only there to add glamour to the show, so I wasn’t a bit sorry when they dropped me from the spin-off series”.
Anne Sharpe appeared in a total of six episodes of Jason king between September 1971 and March 1972. Her role was of Nicola harvester Jason King’s publisher.
How did you come to be involved with Jason King series?
I was cast to play a running part in the series as Nicola harvester. I was tested for the part.
Was the role that you played meant to be a one off initially, or were you aware from the outset that you’d be a regular cast member?
I was more or less told that the character would pop up throughout the series, but I was not sure exactly which episodes until a few weeks in advance.
How did you find working with Peter Wyngarde?
Wonderfully professional he has a great sense of humour.
Was paying anything to clean lyrics Jason king off screen?
No. Is a serious thinking person who sends himself up.
How much import did Peter have into the storyline in script?
Not a lot. He only added little character injections to his part.
From the episodes in which you appeared, do you have a favourite?
No, not really. It is so long ago now I really can’t remember.
Have you seen any of the episodes since they were released on video, and if so, what do you think of them 20 years on?
No, I was not aware that there were any videos made.
Would you like to have the opportunity to work with Peter again at some point in the future?
Most certainly theatre work perhaps, as he has a great stage presence, and wonderfully melodious voice.
Can you recall any amusing incidents which occur during filming of the serious?
No, as this was over 20 years ago. Since then, I have become a wife and a mother, more or less given up the show business scene.
PETER WYNGARDE: The Official Website 
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