Tracy Ann Oberman films scenes for new BBC period drama Ridley Road

Tracy Ann Oberman looked in good spirits as she filmed new BBC drama Ridley Road in Manchester on Monday.

The actress, 54, was getting into character for her role as Nancy in the four-part series which is set in the early 1960s. 

Tracy Ann wore her blonde locks in a flip style typical of the era while she also donned a brown and red short-sleeved dress.

Production: Tracy Ann Oberman looked in good spirits as she filmed new BBC drama Ridley Road in Manchester on Monday

The star also wore dramatic makeup for her day on set as she sported green eye-shadow along with a gold necklace and matching earrings.

Flashing a piece sign at the camera, Tracy chatted with her co-star Aggi O’Casey, who plays the lead role of Vivien in the series.

Ridley Road is based on the novel of the same name by Jo Bloom and tells the story of Vivien Epstein, a young hairdresser who moves to London after her father dies.

She attempts to track down a man named Jack Morris who she had an intense romance with, but is initially unsuccessful.   

Outfit: The actress, 54, was getting into character for her role as Nancy in the four-part series which is set in the early 1960s

Outfit: The actress, 54, was getting into character for her role as Nancy in the four-part series which is set in the early 1960s

Co-stars: Tracy Ann chatted with her co-star Aggi O'Casey, who plays the lead role of Vivien in the series

Co-stars: Tracy Ann chatted with her co-star Aggi O’Casey, who plays the lead role of Vivien in the series

Far-right fascism is on the rise in the East End and Vivien ends up going undercover with the fascists for the sake of her country and the man she loves.

The series also stars Rory Kinnear as the racist leader Colin Jordan along with EastEnders stars Danny Hatchard and Tamzin Outhwaite. 

Ridley Road has been written and adapted for television by Sarah Solemani who said of the show: ‘Britain’s relationship with fascism is closer and more alive than we like to think. Luckily, so is our rich heritage of fighting it. 

‘Jo Bloom’s gripping book revealed a darker side of sixties London and the staggering contribution the Jewish community made in the battle against racism. 

‘I am thrilled to be working with RED and the BBC to bring this little-known slice of British history to the screen.’

Plot: Ridley Road is based on the novel of the same name by Jo Bloom and tells the story of Vivien Epstein, a young hairdresser who moves to London after her father dies

Plot: Ridley Road is based on the novel of the same name by Jo Bloom and tells the story of Vivien Epstein, a young hairdresser who moves to London after her father dies

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, added: ‘Sarah’s brilliant scripts tell a unique story of doomed love and undercover espionage against a backdrop of a fascist uprising in 1960s London. 

‘This story couldn’t feel more timely and we are hugely indebted Sarah for bringing this story to life in her own style.’

Lead actress Aggi, who graduated from The Lir Academy, said: ‘Sarah Solemani has blown me away with the detail, sensitivity, and complexity with which she has written Vivien. I can’t wait to bring this vital and little-known story to life.’

The series has been filming since the beginning of November although it is not yet known when it will air on screens.  

Story: Far-right fascism is on the rise in the East End and Vivien ends up going undercover with the fascists for the sake of her country and the man she loves

Story: Far-right fascism is on the rise in the East End and Vivien ends up going undercover with the fascists for the sake of her country and the man she loves

It comes after Tracy Ann and Rachel Riley dropped a libel action against an immigration barrister who retweeted an article accusing them of harassing a 16-year-old girl.

Self-confessed ‘Buddhist Barrister’ Jane Heybroek shared an article by a blogger titled ‘Beneath Contempt: How Tracy-Ann Oberman and Rachel Riley harassed, dogpiled and slandered a 16-year-old child and her father’

It led to the two celebrities beginning legal action against her and in May at the High Court Mr Justice Jay made a preliminary ruling that the article could be considered defamatory.

In July, the pair unexpectedly dropped the case, agreeing to pay some of Ms Heybroek’s legal fees. 

Countdown presenter Rachel and former EastEnders actress Tracy Ann are vocal campaigners against anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

Rachel Riley has now dropped the legal case

Tracy Ann Oberman launched the defamation action with Rachel Riley

Case: It comes after Tracy Ann and Rachel Riley dropped a libel action against an immigration barrister who retweeted an article accusing them of harassing a 16-year-old girl 

Their lawyer Mark Lewis explained why the case had been dropped.

He said: ‘Tracy Ann Oberman and Rachel Riley chose not to proceed further after the Judge had determined that the opinion expressed was capable of being defamatory, in circumstances where Jayne Heybroek claimed that she had promptly deleted her retweet.

‘Their libel insurers did not see any advantage in pursuing a case over the liability of a retweet that was deleted so quickly and therefore the insurer paid a very modest sum.

‘Regrettably the defamatory tweeter lives in South America and has no visible assets. There are bigger fish to fry, in the pursuit of those who choose to maintain a serious libel.’

Centre: Jane Heybroek, who described herself as a Buddhist barrister, was at the centre of the case

Centre: Jane Heybroek, who described herself as a Buddhist barrister, was at the centre of the case