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I first saw the actress Dakota Blue Richards on the big screen in the 2007 epic “The Golden Compass,” opposite Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig. Picked as a total unknown, I must confess that I’d not seen her since, until her recent appearance in the ITV drama series “Beecham House.”

If there was every chance that she would be another in a long line of child stars who’d be lost along the way and not make the transition to a successful adult actor, then without seeking celebrity status, she’s managed to avoid just such a career pitfall.

Having grown into her role as WPC Shirley Trewlove in “Endeavour,” the drama series about the early days of Inspector Morse, played so memorably for two decades by John Thaw, such an association would be bound to do wonders for her career prospects.

And so to “Beecham House,” the Delhi Downtown and Dakota’s role as Margaret Osbourne. She’s a pivotal character who wins the heart of John Beecham, played by Tom Bateman, despite her ill fitting oufits. My wife was moved to say that “she looks positively strangulated in those period clothes, what on earth are those costume designers playing at?” A cursory glance at her internet picture entries and matters became clear. She’s no longer the young girl I saw, but she remains sufficiently understated in her attitude towards the media to ensure a continuing series of interesting and varied roles.