While pregnant with her third child, Lancashire began an 18-month career break, the longest of her working life. In March 2003, Lancashire gave birth to her third son, Joseph. Lancashire's first job after returning to work was her directorial debut on an episode of the BBC One anthology series "The Afternoon Play". For "Viva Las Blackpool" she was given the Best Newcomer Award (sponsored by BBC Birmingham) at the Birmingham Screen Festival and the Best New Talent Award at the Royal Television Society (Midlands) awards in 2004. The venture also earned her first British Academy Television Awards nomination in 2005 for Best new Director of Fiction. Lancashire next filmed three two-part stories for "Rose and Maloney", following on from the pilot episode in 2002. The delay between shooting for the pilot and its follow-up was a result of Lancashire's career break and problems reconciling her availability with that of co-star Phil Davis.