IN a TV world dominated by police shows dripping in testosterone, Scott & Bailey is a breath of fresh air.

Starring former Coronation Street actress Suranne Jones and the doyenne of intelligent British drama Lesley Sharp (as DC Rachel Bailey and DC Janet Scott respectively), the show blends perfectly gritty, fast-paced murder investigations with the warmth and chaos of the pair's private lives.

"It's been great second time around, even better than last year, I think," says 46-year-old Sharp in measured tones, phoning in from Manchester where they're shooting the final two episodes of the new series.

"Last time, we had no idea how it was going to be received, but the prevailing wind behind this series is a very good and positive one.’’ And so it should be, considering the show was the ratings hit of 2011, earning 9.4 million viewers.

"Obviously we've got to wait and see how it goes, but fingers crossed the audience that was with us last time will be there again,’’ she adds.

The eight new episodes are written chiefly by the show's creative force Sally Wainwright, and once again, she's joined forces with Diane Taylor, a retired detective from Greater Manchester Police.

"We attempted to show the police in as real a light as we possibly could and that's largely down to the advice of Diane,’’ says Sharp.

"We all pay meticulous attention to the detail in police procedure, which I think is one of the reasons people find it so compelling.’’ Sharp adds her involvement in the show has given her a newfound respect for police officers: "They go to work every day, not knowing whether they're going to face somebody with a knife, who's crazy and doesn't care whether they end up stabbing them.’’ This is the exact scenario her character found herself in during the last series. One minute Janet was making a cup of tea, the next she was fighting for her life after being stabbed by family friend Geoff Hastings; the twist being he was the very killer Janet had dedicated herself to tracking down.

As a working mother of two, Sharp can empathise with Janet's situation.

"I think it's common to a lot of women,’’ she says cautiously when the topic veers towards her own personal life.

● Scott & Bailey returns to ITV1 on Monday, March 12