Billie Piper Works Hard for the Money

Billie Piper is back with a second season of the British series Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Sundays, 10:30 pm/ET, Showtime), in which Hannah — aka Belle, her working-girl alter ego — navigates a “real” relationship and encounters new women in her field. Piper, a former pop star, veteran of Jane Austen movies (Mansfield Park) and new mom, still treats her controversial role with wide-eyed curiosity. TVGuide.com spoke to her about her research into the world of prostitution, the overseas controversy surrounding the sexy show and which scene it was that made her feel “strange” to film.

What attracted you to this role?
"That it was so different from everything I’d ever done. And I think you have to keep trying new worlds, new experiences, and new characters. I’d done my fair share of sci-fi and period-drama girls. I was quite keen to play someone who was very different. And I loved the book; it made me laugh a lot. And I liked the idea of working with strictly female producers and writers; that was a big draw for me."

How did the reactions to Secret Diary differ in the U.K. and the States?
"In the U.K., the public liked it, but the critics did not. I think they were so used to seeing me play wholesome teenage girls or girls from Jane Austen novels, and suddenly I was taking all of my clothes off and simulating sex. In America, people were slightly more accepting, which surprised me. I suppose the Showtime audience is more open-minded."

Hannah/Belle wants it all: the sex and the money, but also the loving partner at home. Will she ever be able to have it all?
"I don’t think so. It’s just impossible to have both, unless you found the most understanding man in the world. Life isn’t really like that. It will be interesting to see whether she chooses her career over love.

What surprised you the most in your research?
“The “girlfriend experience”: A man pays an escort to hold his hand and eat pizza with him; it’s not necessarily just about sex. It’s often men who just want someone to be with them, but not give them any grief."