Bodyguard actress Keeley Hawes discusses struggle with depression - and the trick she uses to manage it

Keeley Hawes, star of hit TV shows Bodyguard and The Durrells, has opened up about her battle with depression in a new interview.

Speaking to you magazine, she bravely opened up about her mental health, revealing that she's lived with depression for years now.

Keeley said, "It’s something that never goes away. I think it is in your DNA if you suffer with it."

But the 43-year-old, Bafta nominee, revealed that she's found ways of coping with it over the years, by sticking to a busy schedule.

She explained, "I have become better equipped at looking after myself. I’ve tried various things over the years.

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"Keeping busy helps, being forced to carry on, because inevitably it will pass."

Keeley also spoke about her frequent bouts of anxiety, something she openly deals with. She said, "It’s a very human thing, isn’t it, to worry about what you say and how you are perceived?" We couldn't agree more.

The popular actress, who is well known for starring in Line of Duty, also spoke about one of her most recent successful TV shows, Bodyguard.

In the interview, she revealed how, during filming for the hit BBC show, Keeley and her co-star Richard Madden found a novel way to get through their 'odd' sex scenes.

Confessing that the secret is simply being good friends, Keeley said, "The secret is we didn’t stop laughing. You know when someone just tickles you? I felt safe with him.

"We had some very odd things to do together, which means you have to trust each other, and I really did trust him."

She also opened up about her life with husband Matthew Macfadyen, who she met on the set of Spooks. The pair married in 2004, and Keeley revealed that they still do their best to make the time for date nights.

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"We still fill up the dishwasher and put a wash on – that’s life – but you also have to make the effort to be romantic," Keeley said. "When life takes over, going out to dinner together isn’t top of your list, but before you know it, the children are older and around less and you’re sort of back together again.

"I couldn’t love him more. It helps that he’s the nicest man in the world…"