Viewpoint episode 1: Why does Zoe spy on her neighbours? Star Alexandra Roach opens up on character’s peculiar pastime

Warning: spoilers ahead for episode one of Viewpoint.

While watching ITV’s new crime drama Viewpoint, one can’t help but wonder – is it strange to keep an eye on what your neighbours are up to? Or is it something that we all do but don’t like to admit?

The series, starring Bafta winner Noel Clarke as police officer Martin Young, follows a surveillance unit as they watch the home of Greg Sullivan (Fehinti Balogun), a suspect in the case of the disappearance of Gemma Hillman (Amy Wren), a schoolteacher and Greg’s partner.

Martin and his surveillance team set up their gear in the flat located directly opposite Greg’s, which belongs to Zoe Sterling (Alexandra Roach), whose daughter Caitlin (Kíla Lord Cassidy) is one of Gemma’s pupils.

Zoe is the first character we meet in the series, who is shown using binoculars to casually spy on her neighbours at night prior to Gemma going missing.

During a recent chat with Metro.co.uk, Killing Eve star Alexandra opened up about Zoe’s unusual pastime, explaining that while she found it slightly odd at first, she came to understand why her character keeps such a watchful eye on her neighbours.

‘That was one of the main things that I struggled with when I first read the script. I was like, “Oh my gosh, but why… why does she do that?”’ Alexandra said.

However, when filming for Viewpoint was forced to pause last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, this gave the Welsh actor ample time to consider what Zoe’s motivation is.

‘We were ready to film in February and we were stood down like everybody else. I was just in my house for five months thinking about the character – that never happens in TV, it’s so fast usually. You don’t have that luxury of that time,’ she said.

‘And I was sat here, without the connection of my friends and family in lockdown, and then becoming more aware than ever about my neighbours and what they were up to. And that strange fascination with what happens behind closed doors, which I think we all have really.’

The Black Mirror actor explained that it was at this point that she gained a greater understanding of who Zoe is at her core.

‘So I think that was when it unlocked, when I understood her as a woman,’ she said.

‘She is really hard-working, she’s a single mum, but she is lonely and she craves that connection, and she gets that by watching her neighbours.

‘And yes she’s got binoculars and that’s a bit weird, but I think it’s just a heightened sense of longing and she really wants that connection, which I think is something that we can all relate to after this year.’

At the end of the first episode of Viewpoint, after Zoe attends a vigil with her neighbours in honour of Gemma, Greg – who has been interrogated by the police – invites her back to his flat for a chat.

Despite Martin calling her and telling her not to go in, Zoe ignores his warning, entering the apartment of her own volition.

Has Zoe just walked into a trap? Or will her chat with Greg cement her belief that he could be innocent?

Viewpoint returns tomorrow at 9pm on ITV.

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