Suranne Jones was applauded for her "powerful" performance in Channel 4's I Am Victoria, a visceral and deeply personal drama informed by Suranne's own experience of mental illness.

Dominic Savage's BAFTA-nominated series returned for a second season, beginning with Suranne's episode which follows a successful woman with a seemingly perfect family, home and life.

suranne jones i am victoria interview
Channel 4

It's soon apparent that something is wrong, and the pressure Victoria (Suranne) is weighed down by is palpable. Her struggle with mental health impacts her and her family, and though she is in need of help, she is unable to seek it.

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The cast includes Ashley Walters as Suranne's on-screen husband, and Save Me's Alice Feetham.

Fans praised Suranne's "staggering" performance and thanked her for raising awareness of mental health and its complexities, and encouraging those who need it to seek support.

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Describing the episode to Good Housekeeping, Suranne recently explained: "It's a love letter to people who may not understand that they are struggling. I'm saying, have a look at this woman because she doesn't think she is either. Actually, these small things can build up to a place where they can tip and we just need to keep our eye on [them].

"I just wanted to say that I see you and I understand you and Dominic does too. I think that we've made it a show that hopefully will get people talking or understanding a different face of mental health."

I Am season two will feature an episode starring Lesley Manville in I Am Maria, and Small Axe's Letitia Wright in I Am Danielle.

I Am continues on Channel 4 on August 12th at 9pm.