Michelle Keegan is worlds away from her usual glamour as she poses in full combat gear for first look at lead role in TV drama Our Girl
She shot to fame on the cobbles of Coronation Street.
But for her next TV role, Michelle Keegan has swapped the drama of Weatherfield for action in Kenya, as she takes over the lead role in new BBC drama Our Girl.
In a first look at the new series of the drama, Michelle poses in full army combats in the blistering heat of South Africa, where's she's been filming for the past few weeks.
Action girl: Michelle Keegan is seen for the first time in character as Corporal Georgie Lane for the BBC's drama Our Girl
Michelle, 28, is almost unrecognisable in the promo shots, ditching her usual glam appearance for the gritty new role.
The ex soap star is dressed in a green t-shirt and camo combat trousers for one shot, teamed with lace-up boots.
Dog tags hang around her neck, while the actress's dark locks are pulled back into a braid, and she sports natural makeup.
Another shot sees the star walking in the heat in full combat gear and carrying a gun across her chest.
Armed and ready: One promo shot sees the former Coronation Street star walking in the heat in full combat gear and carrying a gun across her chest for her role as an army medic in Kenya
Speaking to The Mirror, Michellle said: 'First time I put on the uniform it felt quite surreal but then I immediately felt the sense of duty - as if I was in the military.'
The former Coronation Street signed on for the leading BBC war drama in June 2015, replacing Lacey Turner's Molly Dawes in the leading role of Corporal Georgie Lane.
The other big change sees the action switching from Afghanistan to Kenya, where Michelle plays an army medic in a refugee camp.
And relax: In between her intense filming and training schedule in South Africa, Michelle has found time to kick back in the sunshine
The BBC has said: 'It won't be an easy posting as Georgie has to earn the love and trust of her fellow soldiers, and the greater respect of her commanding officer, while working alongside aid workers in the world's biggest refugee camp.
'Kenya will be full of surprises that will challenge Georgie professionally and personally.'
Michelle will be on location for two months, away from her husband of less than a year - Mark Wright.
Sun soaked: The actress has also been sharing snaps of her home away from home during the shoot
She's keeping busy though, telling Hello readers in her blog for the magazine this month that before the shoot began she was put through her paces at a tough boot camp in South Africa, just weeks after intensive training back in the UK.
'I've been back at army boot camp, but this time – NO MUD! This boot camp is in 32degree heat. One word to describe it…Hardcore!' she wrote.
'I have been learning so much about army life and I have been embracing it all. I've learnt how to hold and fire a gun which felt amazing- serious adrenaline rush, and by the way, they are really loud!
'I have also learned to pack a medical kit and how to extract a casualty to safety.'
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