RIVER City star Claire Dargo is hoping for “exciting things in store” for her character when she returns to Shieldinch this autumn.

Given that Karen Connolly has already dramatically reappeared in her ex’s life, upset her non-binary child and discovered her pregnancy was actually ovarian cancer, what on earth could be on the horizon? Are there even more juicy storylines to come?

“I’m back filming in August, which is great,” she says, neatly side-stepping the question. “Karen has had some tough storylines, some really gritty stuff that’s great to get my teeth in to, so I can’t wait to get back.”

Glasgow Times: Claire with Kirsty Pickering (Jessie) on River CityClaire with Kirsty Pickering (Jessie) on River City (Image: BBC)

Before filming for the BBC Scotland drama resumes, Claire can be spotted on stage in Glasgow in a very different role.

She is appearing in Leopards Ate My Face at A Play, A Pie and A Pint, Oran Mor’s lunchtime theatre series, until May 20.

Glasgow Times: Claire at Oran MorClaire at Oran Mor (Image: Gordon Terris/Newsquest)

Grant O’Rourke’s comedy about "the dangers of letting your paranoia take the wheel" also stars Paul McCole and Caroline McKeown, and it is co-presented with Dumfries and Galloway Arts Festival.

Paul plays Derek, who has a new neighbour moving in next door - but he doesn’t like the look of him. Is he a drug dealer? Does he have a pet snake? As anxieties build, things threaten to get out of control.

“This family – they are all self-obsessed - they feed off each other’s anxieties,” explains Claire. “I play Paul’s wife, and Caroline is our daughter – my relationship with her is not the most, eh, supportive.

“They don’t listen to each other. I think a lot of people will relate to it. It’s very clever, observational comedy. It leans towards farce – but is rooted in reality.”

Edinburgh-born Claire, who has appeared in a string of hit TV shows, including Shetland, Catastrophe and Doctors, always wanted to act.

Glasgow Times: Claire with Douglas Henshall on ShetlandClaire with Douglas Henshall on Shetland (Image: BBC)

“I was that annoying child,” she says, with a laugh. “I went to dance school at a young age, entered all the competitions, and realised I wasn’t that great a dancer.

“I’d always be picking up more on the singing and acting, so I went down that route instead.”

It’s been a while, she says, since she was in a theatre rehearsal room, having spent the bulk of the last few years working in television.

“I’m delighted to be here - this is my first time at A Play, A Pie and A Pint, and it’s fantastic to be working with such amazing actors,” she says. “It's a quick turnaround, rehearsing and putting on a play in two weeks. But Grant's play - it’s a gift.”

Claire joined River City two years ago.

“I can’t believe it has been two years, the time has flown in,” she smiles. “When I joined we were still in the time of Covid restrictions so everything was socially distanced and that was odd.

“Jordan [Young, who plays Alex], was brilliant and so patient – he really held my hand through it.”

She adds, with a laugh: “Not literally, of course, because of the social distancing, but now it’s great to be back to more normal filming.

“It was really nerve-wracking at first, to join a show that has been running for such a long time, but it’s such a great team to be part of. It’s so fast-paced – you don’t get a lot of time, so you feel like you really do have to nail it first go.

She adds, smiling: “Which should really have prepared me for A Play, A Pie and A Pint, shouldn’t it?

“I’m loving it. We’re really lucky to have Oran Mor to be able to give audiences such a variety of plays. It’s unique.”