Tell us a bit about the character of Natalie?
She’s a bit of a rough diamond; she’s sparky, she’s impulsive, you never know which direction she’s going to turn and that’s what makes her so unpredictable. Nick and David never know how to read her, she’d be amazing at poker. She’s a bit like a duck, on the surface she looks calm but underneath she’s going at a hundred miles an hour. She’s always looking at how she can manipulate a situation and make something of it.
Is she a baddie, or is her behaviour down to her background?
She’s not bad, I think she’s manipulative, I think she’s a chancer, but then she’s not had an easy life, she’s had to live hand to mouth and she takes whatever chances come her way. I also think she gets bored quite quickly and she’s looking for excitement.
Natalie helped Nick to steal Audrey’s money, why has she now followed him back to the street?
She’s looking for a way out of the monotonous life she was stuck in. She initially helped Nick to steal the money but when she realised he got a lot more out of the situation than her she thought I’m going to take myself to Coronation Street and see what I can get. She’s in a very powerful position, she has all of that information on Nick and while she’s not malicious she’s very clever at turning every situation to her own gain.
Do you think Natalie is a match for Nick?
Definitely, she’s more than a match and that’s what is worrying him. It’s such an exciting part to play, Natalie holds all the cards, she has all the power, but she uses her humour and her charm too to outwit him and that really unsettles him.
When she starts at the barbers’ does Natalie start to think she could make a home for herself here?
I think so and it takes her by surprise but the more she works there and has a bit of banter with David the more she starts to enjoy the game. It’s the first place she’s felt could be a home in a long time and the barbers’ presents a future to her. So as the story progresses you see she’s got a bit more to lose by revealing the information about Nick.
Does that scare Natalie a little bit?
Yes the idea that it could all be taken away from her is almost what she’s threatening Nick with and that scares her. She’s developed a tough skin because of her upbringing but when she starts to care about something there’s more of an awareness that she could lose that.
What are Natalie’s feelings towards David?
I think there are the seeds of a crush there, he’s the first person in a long while that’s given her a chance and she admires him for speaking up for her. She’s fought for everything her whole life then suddenly she’s got someone in her corner and I think that’s where that seed will develop.
How similar/different are you to the character?
We’re both from Nottingham, I think I have her grit and resilience but Natalie is way more impulsive than I am. She’s slightly more edgy than I am too, she’s such an amazing character, she’s any actor’s dream.
Nick tries giving her all the rubbish jobs round the barbers’ in an attempt to scare her off, does he underestimate her?
She’s not going to give up that easily, she’s in the driving seat and she’s finding the fun in it. She knows they’re trying to ruffle her feathers and she’s not going to let it knock her, this is her place of power.
What is the best thing about working with Jack and Ben?
The laughter, we’ve had such a lot of banter and they’re both such lovely people. It’s such a fun dynamic, these three people share this knowledge and they find themselves caught in this little bubble.
Do you think Natalie could ruffle Shona’s feathers?
Definitely and I think she’s a pretty good match for Shona which is exciting to see. They're both rough diamonds, they both have a similar background where they’ve had to fight for a lot. It will be interesting to watch them sparring with each other, there’s going to be fireworks and that’s exciting to play.
How excited were you to get the role?
It’s so exciting, Corrie’s a strong, Northern, funny drama, it’s everything you could ask for as an actor. Stepping onto the iconic cobbles has been surreal but also brilliant. I watched it growing up with my gran so to be a part of it, walk down the street and square off to Nick has been amazing.
Natalie is carrying all these secrets, how long can she keep them to herself?
For the moment I think she’s enjoying being the keeper of the secrets, I think that’s what making her tick at the moment but with Natalie you never know, she could go in any direction depending on who pushes her buttons, who maybe looks at her in the wrong way and who lights that firework. Everyone needs to watch out!
Glenda Young
Author: Belle of the Back Streets
All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License
I didn't understand why they brought Natalie back, but I'll admit, she's growing on me. And her "rough diamond" personality reminds me of Kylie.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed her interactions with David in last night's episode. I do love Shona as a character but I've never been able to buy into her relationship with David, mainly because their relationship lacks the fun that Kylie and David had. I could see Natalie being a fun and mischievous addition to David's life. It will be interesting to see where this goes!
Why on earth would David be interested in the woman who helped Nick steal Audrey's life savings?
ReplyDeleteWhy do we need another cheating story line?!
I think that maybe Nick will set David up and frame him [along with Natalie] for the theft of their gran's money.
Anon 16:25, you could ask why would David be interested in the woman who gave birth to the scum who killed Kylie.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I don't like Shona and she definitely doesn't team up well with David. She's too old for him. The beard he grew to try to make himself look older doesn't work.