Phew! Our Lara is up for top TV award (From Southend Standard)

Phew! Our Lara is up for top TV award

7:00am Saturday 9th June 2012 in Southend

A NUDE scene has led to a Southend-born actress nominated for a top television award in the USA.

Lara Pulver, who was born in Rochford Hospital and lived in Eastwood Road, Leigh, has made the shortlist for best actress in a TV movie or mini-series at the American Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

The 31-year-old actress starred in the second series of the BBC’s Sherlock, where she played dominatrix Irene Adler in an episode called A Scandal in Belgravia.

During the show, she appeared in a memorable scene wearing nothing, but a pair of stilettos. Despite clever camera angles and body positioning ensuring no sensitive body parts were seen, the BBC received more than 100 complaints as it was shown before the 9pm watershed.

However, the scene has become the most watched footage on BBC iPlayer in 2012 so far.

Pulver, who now splits her time between London and LA, will face stiff competition at the ceremony in Beverley Hills on June 18 with fellow Brits Emily Watson and Gillian Anderson up for the same award.

Before taking the role in Sherlock, Pulver starred in Spooks, playing MI5 Section D boss Erin Watts, and has also been in Robin Hood and vampire drama True Blood.

Sherlock star Benedict Cumberbatch, who plays the famous detective, has also been shortlisted at Critics’ Choice awards in the best actor in a TV movie or mini-series category.

The show is also up for best TV movie or mini-series.