New comedy series The Chief, a spin-off from the award-winning Scot Squad series, is written by, and stars, Jack Docherty as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson. 

The series sees The Chief wrestle with contemporary dilemmas and workplace politics, while trying his best to remain relevant in an ever-changing world. Thankfully, he’s got his trusty team by his side. Or so you’d think.

Docherty is joined in the series by comedian Rhona Cameron who makes a return to our screens as Justice Minister Una Struan. Cameron, who turns 60 this year, has recently said in an interview that she has no plans to return to stand-up and is writing a book about her life. “I would never say never, but I kind of stopped doing stand-up. I’d been doing it since I was 27 and found it harder as I got older....I had to look after my mental health.”

Watch The Chief on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland from Thursday 20 February

Read an interview with Rhona Cameron below

A canny political operator, straight-talking Una Struan is the current Justice Minister in the Scottish Government and, essentially, the Chief’s boss. Una and the Chief have a long history as colleagues, collaborators and are kind of ‘friends’. While they often enjoy a round of golf together, swapping banter like old buddies, there is always the feeling that both have ulterior motives. Una’s political standing is reliant on the success - and public perception - of the Scottish Police Force. And everything from the Annual Budget to the Chief’s personal contract of employment goes through Una’s department. This makes for a symbiotic relationship that is complicated, nuanced and heavy with hidden motivations.

Tell us a little about your character Una Struan

She’s the Justice Minister, a charismatic, self-assured and (I’m assuming!) old school power lesbian in modern day Scottish politics. She’s capable, confident, bit genderless, with a decent golf handicap of around 20 I’d say.

Would you say she’s a friend or a foe of The Chief, professionally speaking of course!

Una needs the somewhat like-minded old-school Chief to help her strategise her way to the top. It’s a symbiotic relationship. Lots of layered communication between them, with much two-way subterfuge. But they know the score…they are both old enough to even say that and know what it means.

What was it like working with Jack Docherty? Have you ever worked together before?

Only when he had his chat show [The Jack Docherty Show ran in the 1990s], but I don’t remember much about the 90’s! Jack is warm, and easy going and, like me, has spanned many eras across the arts. So, it was easy to banter with him which is so important.

What do you think Una’s strengths and weaknesses are?

Her strengths are her confidence. Also her non-binary ‘Lesbionic’ vibe gives her broad appeal, seeing her as an individual who enjoys her position as Justice Minister. Rather than being defined as a woman in reaction to a man.

Her weaknesses? Needing the Chief to attain her various positions on the chess board of politics.

Do you think Una has faith in The Chief’s policing style and leadership?

Foolishly, mostly, yes. And even if she didn’t and his plans offered her some benefits, she would find a way to be in denial of his incompetence.

In three words, can you describe Una Struan?

Still quite attractive.

If you could make one thing law, what would it be?

That being in any position of power in a governing level, requires two years of rigorous psychotherapy, ideally.

Picture: The Comedy Unit, Photographer Jamie Simpson

Interview supplied by BBC