Fans of new ITV drama The Long Phone call accept found themselves distracted by ane of the show's biggest stars.

The murder mystery sees Anita Dobson brand an appearance as a forehead-beaten Evangelical Christian in the new series.

Best known for playing as glam Angie Watts on EastEnders, viewers tin can't quite believe how different the legendary actress looks in her new role.

To bring Grace Stephenson to life in The Long Call, Anita, 72, goes makeup free and dresses in dated, small-scale vesture.

Chatting nearly about her latest role, the erstwhile EastEnders star said she "couldn't expect" to go started when information technology came to playing her new character.

EastEnders Angie and Den

Anita Dobson is still best known for her fourth dimension on EastEnders as Angie Watts

"She said: "I absolutely loved Grace. I think from the minute I picked the script up, I just idea 'yes please – count me in!"

"She'south so locked away, which is non me, and I only couldn't wait to get inside and find out what was going on in her head," she added.

"Even though she doesn't say very much to beginning with, there's and then much going on inside her all the time when she'due south in situations with other people."

The Long Call

The actress looks very different in ITV drama The Long Call

Viewers were amazed by Anita's transformation on screen earlier this week.

"Wouldn't have recognised Anita Dobson," wrote one Twitter user every bit the series began.

Another added: "Did not know that was Anita Dobson."

Based on the Ann Cleeves novel of the aforementioned name, The Long Call premiered on ITV on Mon dark - terminal on Thursday night with its final episode.

The Long Call is the latest project for the legendary actress

EastEnders

The star found fame aslope Leslie Grantham on BBC lather EastEnder

The ITV detective drama features Our Girl and Fleabag role player Ben Aldridge equally Detective Matthew Venn.

The openly gay detective is forced to return to his hometown in North Devon to investigate a new case - a mysterious murder.

As he tries to crack the case, Matthew has to return to the community that rejected and alienated him years ago.

Viewers have praised The Long Phone call for putting some positive representation on screen.

"I thought #TheLongCall was terrific. Cracking story, first-class cast & it looks stunning. Plus a primetime gay detective and his husband played by ii out gay actors. This representation is important," 1 fan gushed on social media.

The Long Call

ITV viewers have been gripped by the new tense drama

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Some other added: "Cheers @AnnCleeves, a man in the positive lead office and happy marriage that'southward also gay."

After nabbing the lead part, Ben, 35, said he was "privileged" to play the Tv detective.

"I'm delighted to be playing Matthew Venn, a brilliantly unorthodox detective who audiences volition meet solving a gripping and intricate case, whilst simultaneously surmounting a deeper, more personal mystery within himself," he said.

"And I feel privileged to be bringing it to ITV viewers in The Long Call."

The four-part detective series concludes on Thursday night.