She's best known for playing Sharon Theodopolopodos in ITV's long-running sitcom Birds of a Feather, and following parts in Emmerdale and Broadchurch, the Quirkenaissance continues with a lead role in Sky1's ambitious new comedy-drama You, Me and the Apocalypse.
The UK-USA project features one of the most impressive and intriguing ensemble casts for years, including The West Wing's Rob Lowe and The Office's Jenna Fischer, and Quirke will appear as one of several seemingly unconnected individuals against the backdrop of the end of life as we know it.
Speaking to Digital Spy on the set of the show, Quirke promised viewers that its "dark" tones help separate it from anything that has come before.
"I like the fact that it's very, very funny, but also because of the subject matter it's quite dark in places," she said. "But the combination of both together really works. I watch a lot of telly. So I think after all these years I'm quite good at choosing what I want to watch, and quite good at choosing what I'd like to do, and this ticked all the boxes."
Talking about meeting up with her castmates for the first time, she said: "Oh my God. The read-through. You've never seen anything like it! There was a big, huge table and then three deep of people, all the heads of department, all the American side of things, the British side of things, production company... it was fairly daunting.
"Everyone was nervous. Read-throughs are like the first day at school, they never get any easier. But I've never been to such a big read-through. But it read brilliantly. And there were lots of people laughing, and that's always a good sign."
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The actress also spoke about how she has dealt with nerves when performing throughout her career, explaining: "It's how I am. It's never going to change. I've got better. I used to be sick, physically sick, for Birds, all those years. 101 episodes, throwing up in the toilet.
"It would affect Linda [Robson] one way. I won't go into details! And it would affect me the other way. And you just think, 'Why am I doing this?' But that's how I am.
"I'm a jibbering wreck behind-the-scenes! It's part of it. To young actors at the [Pauline Quirke Academy, I say], 'It's good, there's nothing wrong with that'. There is nothing wrong with that feeling in your stomach that I think everyone gets. A job interview or sports or when you have to do a presentation - nothing wrong with that. As long as it doesn't hinder what you're trying to do."
Pauline Quirke will return for a 12th series of Birds of a Feather on ITV in 2016.
You, Me and the Apocalypse launches its 10-part series on Wednesday (September 30) at 9pm on Sky1.
Watch an exclusive clip below:
