Suranne Jones rocks fun face mask inspired by her character Anne Lister while filming Gentleman Jack

She’s been busy filming for the second hotly-anticipated season of Gentleman Jack.

And Suranne Jones, 42, made sure to stay safe as she worked during the coronavirus pandemic by donning a fun face mask inspired by her character Anne Lister.

In a new snap shared on Friday, the Doctor Who actress looked every inch the 19th century landowner in a black top hat and period costume as she filmed in Halifax.

Suranne pointed one finger towards her statement headgear as she showed off her personalised black face mask, which read: ‘What would Anne Lister do?’

The star completed her costume with a white shirt and striped waistcoat before adding a grey scarf around her neck which was tied in a large knot at the front.

Filming for the second series of Gentleman Jack, which is set in Yorkshire in 1834 and based on the real life diaries of Anne Lister, has been underway all week. 

The new episodes will follow Suranne’s character as her love Ann Walker moves in with her at Shibden Hall and the pair embark on their life as wife and wife.  

However Anne entrepreneurial spirit is set to frighten the locals as much as her unconventional love life and, with Halifax on the brink of revolution, her refusal to keep a low profile will prove provocative and dangerous.  

Expressing her delight to be back filming, Surrane said: ‘I’m so happy to be back in beautiful Yorkshire, back with my favourite team, back with Sophie and this amazing cast and of course I’m so honoured to be returning as Anne Lister. Sally’s scripts are detailed and wonderfully human as ever.’ 

While writer Sally Wainwright added: ‘I’m more thrilled than I’ve ever been about anything that we’re returning with a new series of Gentleman Jack. 

‘We’ve had such an extraordinary response from so many viewers all over the world about the first series. Their excitement has been a joy, and an inspiration.

‘I’ve been in a little bit of heaven once again spending so much time deep in Anne’s diaries as I’ve written the scripts, and can’t wait to see the fabulous, joyous magic and detail that Suranne and Sophie will bring to it all.’

Last week, Surrane was also seen staying safe amid the pandemic, as she sported a face shield in between takes and when she arrived before filming for season two.

She made sure to wear it whenever she wasn’t shooting, as an insider said: ‘As soon as she finished the scene she reached for her visor. She is clearly taking no chances.

‘She had one of her staff ready to hand it to her as she walked off set. It was weird watching her put it on while still in 1830s costume. Some people on set are still obviously in a state of shock about the second lockdown. But she was very cheery.’

The show, written by Sally, is based on the diaries of 19th century landowner Anne Lister, who is often dubbed Britain’s ‘first modern lesbian’. 

The first series followed Anne as she embarked on a relationship with fellow heiress Ann, played by Sophie Rundle, after enjoying relationships with other women. 

After falling in love, the pair were torn apart when Ann was taken to Scotland under threat of being married off by her brother-in-law. 

However the finale saw the pair brought back together when Ann was called back to Yorkshire to visit her bedridden aunt.  

Their reunion took place in a dramatic hilltop moment in which Ann revealed she was finally ready to marry Anne, with the latter revealing she hadn’t stopped thinking about her love during their time apart.