'Intense' on-screen chemistry between Andrew Buchan and Leila ...

28 Feb 2023
Leila Farzad

There is an 'intense' on-screen chemistry between Broadchurch actor Andrew Buchan and co-star Leila Farzad in the BBC drama Better, a body language expert has said.

Judi James said the performance between the pair 'did seem full of sexual tensions' at times, adding there was a 'fascinating on and off-screen body language dynamic'.

It comes as it emerged the pair struck up a real-life romance, with Buchan leaving his actress wife of 11 years, Amy Nuttall, to move in with Farzad, the Sun reports. 

Buchan is said to have told Nuttall, 40, their marriage was over before Christmas, leaving the actress devastated and their friends in a state of shock.

The pair met while both starring in the BBC police drama, Better, in which they play a pair of longstanding friends.

Judi James said the performance between the pair 'did seem full of sexual tensions' at times, adding there was a 'fascinating on and off-screen body language dynamic'.

There is an 'intense' on-screen chemistry between Broadchurch actor Andrew Buchan and co-star Leila Farzad in the BBC drama Better, a body language expert said

Broadchurch star Andrew Buchan starred alongside Leila Farzad in the BBC police drama Better

Body language expert Judi James told the MailOnline: 'This is a fascinating on and off-screen body language dynamic as the whole plotline of Better revolved around the strong, intense chemistry between the two lead actors. 

'It was described in the show as non-sexual even though at times it did seem full of sexual tension.'

She added that in Better 'both characters were happily married, but the nuanced and constantly changing rituals and signals they used together always seemed designed to keep the viewer on the edge of their seat in terms of whether they were in fact deeply in love or lust or not.

'The ending seemed to imply that theirs was the strongest relationship on the screen.'

She continued: 'It was an intense on-screen relationship that even threated to become a murder at one point.

All over? Broadchurch star Andrew Buchan has left actress wife Amy Nuttall after developing a relationship with his co-star on a brand new drama

'But it was the ability to define powerful emotions and strong bonding signals that looked like love and sexual attraction but which were unrequited on both sides that required and produced the best acting from both the leads.

'Their on-screen body language rituals were breathtaking and had viewers biting their nails to see if love would win over hate.

'They looked intimate beyond the realms of friendship rituals but there was always a line that the characters never crossed in this series.'

Buchan, 44, best known for his role as Mark Latimer in the hugely popular ITV series, married Downton Abbey star Nuttall in 2012, with the couple welcoming a son three years later, in 2015. 

Farzad married her husband James in 2013, and they have a daughter, Allegra, who was born in 2014. It is not known when they split.

Co-stars: He is understood to have left the family home and moved in with Leila Farzad after meeting the glamorous actress while working on BBC series Better (pictured on show)

Old times: Nuttall found fame after joining the ITV soap Emmerdale in 2000 at the age of 18; she played Chloe Atkinson for eight years before leaving to pursue a music career 

A source told the outlet: 'It was a huge shock. Amy is heartbroken.' 

The source added: 'For Andrew to walk away from his family was a huge shock to us all – and Amy is heartbroken. Everyone who knows them thought they were going to be together forever.

'But he's packed his bags and left with his new co-star. Whatever has gone on, it seems to have been enough for him to re-evaluate his whole life and rip up their marriage.

'Nobody is quite sure of the exact details, but Andrew has clearly had his head turned pretty dramatically.'  MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment. 

Earlier this month, Farzad took to social media to share a gushing tribute to Buchan in a montage featuring the entire Better cast and crew.

Her caption read: 'This lot. Couldn't and wouldn't happen without them. Big up the Better team who wiped my tears, held me up, fed me crumpets and made me smile. 

'Don't have pics of everyone but this gang got me through! We made a show, it's NOT a Happy Valley replacement but a morality tale which should make you think.'

Cosy! Farzad and Buchan are pictured together while promoting Better on February 8

Previously: Buchan is best known for his role as Mark Latimer in the hugely popular ITV series Broadchurch (pictured)

United: Earlier this month, Farzad took to social media to share a gushing tribute to Buchan in a montage featuring the Better cast and crew

Happy: She shared a caption lauding her co-stars, including Buchan, for 'wiping away her tears' and 'holding her up'

Popular: Nuttall played Ethel Parks in ITV period drama Downton Abbey (pictured on the show)

Glamorous: Farzad has previously taken roles in Law & Order: UK, Man Down, This Time With Alan Partridge and I Hate Suzie - a part that earned her a Bafta TV nomination

Former flame: Farzad was previously married to husband James, with the pair tying the knot in 2013, after being friends for six years. They have daughter Allegra, born in 2014

Cute: She posted a photo of a note her little girl had hidden in her suitcase as she went away to film, which read: 'I'm very proud of you mummy.

Buchan plays well-connected criminal Col alongside Farzad's corrupt police officer, Lou, in the crime drama Better, which was first screened on BBC One in February. 

One scene in the series shows the pair sharing an embrace, and Farzad has described their on-screen relationship as 'intense.' 

She said: 'It's a very complicated relationship. When we first meet them, it's an intense relationship that has an element of friendship, but there's quite an intimate power play between these two people.

'Early on, something very triggering happens to Lou, and she finds herself having to let go of this person, Col, who was so integral to her life.

'The crux of the story is that Col goes from friend to foe, which is why the story gathers momentum.'

On working with Buchan on the show, she added: 'We never worked together before. He's a dream to work with. He's utterly open and generous and so highly skilled at what he does. I felt very lucky to be working with him on set every day.' 

London born, Oxford educated Farzad also starred in Law & Order: UK, Man Down, This Time With Alan Partridge and I Hate Suzie - a part that earned her a Bafta TV nomination.

Farzad has shared a few posts about her daughter on Instagram, who is now her biggest fan after her mother found fame on TV.

She posted a photo of a note her little girl had hidden in her suitcase as she went away to film, which was written in joined-up handwriting and read: 'I'm very proud of you mummy.'

Buchan is best known for roles in Broadchurch, The Fixer and Garrow’s Law - and more recently played Matt Hancock in Kenneth Branagh's Sky political drama This England. 

He landed his first big role in Jane Eyre in 2006, and also starred opposite Matt Smith in Party Animals the following year. 

Last week, Nuttall appeared to allude to the split, as she took to Instagram to share a cryptic message just a day after Valentine's Day.

The post read: 'I am not impressed by money, social status or job title, I'm impressed by the way someone treats other human beings.'

She also shared an image that showed her walking along holding hands with two children, writing the caption: 'Holidays with my favourites.'

One of the top comments read: 'Oh my gosh they are so big now xx.'

On Christmas Day she also shared a festive snap, with one comment underneath reading: 'How are you and the kids ? Xxxx.' 

Nuttall found fame after joining ITV soap Emmerdale in 2000 at the age of 18; she played Chloe Atkinson for eight years before leaving the show to pursue a music career. 

While on the show she dated co-star Ben Freeman for more than four years before the couple separated in 2004 amid claims that he had cheated on her. 

What's going on? Last week, Nuttall appeared to allude to the split, as she took to Instagram to share a cryptic message just a day after Valentine's Day

Family: She also shared an image that showed her walking along holding hands with two children, writing the caption: 'Holidays with my favourites'

Seeking solace? She also previously shared a snap of herself enjoying a Porn Star Martini

Former boyfriend: While on Emmerdale, Nuttall dated co-star Ben Freeman for more than four years before the couple separated amid claims he had cheated on her (pictured on show)

It was reported by The News Of The World that Nuttall discovered Freeman had cheated on her, with a source saying: 'She found out a few weeks ago that Ben had been playing around behind her back but when she confronted him he denied it.

'At first she believed him but then she discovered that he had been calling this girl repeatedly and sending her text messages.

'She found his phone bill and called the girl up. It took a lot of guts but she wanted to know the truth and the girl admitted what had happened.'

In a 2003 interview, while she and Freeman were still dating, Nuttall said she would 'never dream' of chatting up someone else's partner.

She told The Mirror: 'The girls don't make me jealous because I'm very secure in my relationship with Ben, but I do think it's rude. I would never dream of going up to someone else's boyfriend and trying it on.'

More recently, Nuttall played Ethel Parks in BBC period drama Downton Abbey, with her character losing her job at the sprawling Downton estate after having an affair with a serving officer. 

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