Can you describe Lauren in three words?
Brave, feisty and self-destructive.
Do you think you'd be friends with Lauren in real life?
With Lauren in the present, I would be friends with her, but Lauren in the past, no, definitely not! I think there's elements of Lauren now that I can really relate to, which is why I probably would be friends with her. She's just really vulnerable and I think when you are vulnerable like that, and on a really self-destructive path, you have friends that you bond with and then push them away - I can really relate to Lauren with that. Having friends that are quite similar to you is mainly how you click with someone and you help pick them up when they are feeling down.
What advice would you like to give your character?
Oh, a lot! I would tell Lauren that pain doesn't last forever and no matter what you're going through, it's not going to last forever. I would also tell her that if you want things to change, then you have to change, and if you want to do better, you have to be better - I definitely think that's like a motto that I stand by in life but I definitely think that it’s one that Lauren could probably take under her wing.
Also, family that isn't blood, doesn't stop them from being your real family - it's who's there with you when you're feeling down and who's there to pick you up when you need to get back up.
When I think of Lauren, I think of this specific quote “she was either widely naive or dangerously intelligent” because although she may come across as naive, she has this intelligence that not a lot of people have seen but hopefully will be shown in the future on the street.
In this week’s episodes, Lauren’s jealousy and anger towards Max and Sabrina, which could ultimately lead to an arrest, is shown. Do you think this could be a wake up call for Lauren?
Oh yes, definitely. I think it's given her a taste of what her dad's going through, it's made her realise that the life she is currently living is a life that she doesn’t want for herself and is really disappointed by her behaviour.
Lauren is a ticking time bomb, she will build things up because she hasn't got anyone to release to. Coming back and realising that Max was with Sabrina was a kick in the stomach for Lauren. Max was really all she had as she obviously doesn’t have her dad around, doesn’t have a mum, hasn’t got any friends so she hasn't got anyone she can release her anxiety or worries on. She builds everything up and then explodes and it's only a matter of time before she does that.
Lauren has been trying to come in between Max and Sabrina’s relationship. With them being official now, do you think Lauren will move on?
Lauren is not a malicious person, but the way she handles things sometimes does come across like that, but it's just her being so overwhelmed and so vulnerable. There is a big shift between Lauren, Sabrina and Max as Lauren realises that she does have to take a step back now because it’s not only Sabrina and Max that are hurting, but she is also hurting her own feelings.
Do you think Lauren, Sabrina and Max could ever move forward as friends?
Yes I'd like to think so. Lauren's moving next door to Sabrina, which is obviously going to cause a bit of drama, but I would really like them all to come together. Lauren might not agree with Sabrina, and Sabrina might not like Lauren because of what's happened, but we all make mistakes. I think because Sabrina and Lauren are roughly the same age, as time goes on, hopefully Sabrina will see how vulnerable Lauren is and why she has been manipulated to believe these things in the past and get that bond there.
Also, Luana, Paddy and I get on really well and I would like that to translate on screen.
What can the audience expect from Lauren in the coming weeks?
Lauren's got quite a few things coming up, but the main thing is that she moves into her own flat, which is exciting as she's getting more of a solidified structure of a life back together. She actually makes an unlikely friendship with Ryan and he ends up moving into her flat. Lauren and Ryan are very similar in some ways. Ryan's been through an awful time with the acid attack and he really struggles with people actually seeing him as Ryan rather than what he's been through and Lauren doesn't really have anybody either, so they've both lost people because of what they’ve been through. With moving in together, it's going to be more of a brother and sister relationship but obviously it's not going to be plain sailing, there will be quite a few bumps in the road, but you know, it wouldn’t be Coronation Street without that!
How does Lauren feel about Ryan doing O-Vidz if they are living together?
Lauren is very naive. I don't think she knows exactly what O-Vidz is but she is very intrigued to know what exactly he does and how much money he makes from it.
Ryan started O-Vidz to build up his confidence and that’s exactly what Lauren wants for him; she wants him to get better, feel better about himself, be happy and just get back on track with his life.
Even though Lauren is really supportive of Ryan, I also think she's very desperate, because she doesn't want to be on her own and she doesn't want to end up homeless again. Part of the reason Ryan moves in is because Lauren is a young girl and can’t afford the rent all to herself. As it’s not happening in front of her, not affecting her and helping pay half her rent, she’s very supportive.
What do you love about Coronation Street?
I've obviously grown up watching the show, so it's been part of my life since as long as I can remember. Even though Weatherfield's not an actual place, I feel like the characters are so genuine, real and natural, which is why so many people relate to them. Coronation Street is like a massive family and I really think that translates on screen, which is why people relate to it and love it so much.
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