Carla’s had a tough start to the year, losing Peter, Bobby’s unannounced arrival, then Roy being imprisoned. How do you think she’s coping?
To be fair I think she's coping pretty well. She kick started the year by making a huge decision to end her relationship with Peter for his sake but also for both their mental health which was a really adult decision. So I think she started the year off being very strong. Then of course Bobby came along and she dealt with that in a really positive way too. She was unsure like everybody would be because of the ramifications with him being Rob’s son but she took it on the chin and dealt with it, again in a really adult way. After all the support she gave to Ryan, I think this maternal instinct has become a bit instilled and that has kicked in. Obviously she’s devastated about what Roy’s going through but she’s doing what she can to help him. She’s in control of her life again, she’s fiery and she’s not taking any nonsense from anybody.
Bobby’s trouble but do you also think she likes having him around, having that family link?
She does, that’s what she’s been missing especially since Michelle left, she likes having that family link. She just keeps having to remind him to press the recall button for things he's done wrong because he's got no learning curve. We need some more new Connors I think.
Her relationship with Roy has become strained, despite trying to help him, what does Roy mean to her and how worried is she about him?
She's extremely worried about his vulnerability in prison, being a person that is a little bit different. She supports that all the time in the real world but she's very aware of what that might mean for him in prison, particularly with what he's accused of. Roy’s been a constant in her life since she first bonded with Hayley in those early days, so it's probably been about 16 years now that Roy’s been a father figure to her. Their relationship has grown on trust and honesty, and I think the fact that she's broken that honesty, even though it is to protect somebody, he can't quite see past that and she has to hold her hands up. Although she says to him, I did it to protect Bobby, she knows she's been telling Bobby he should go to the police but she hasn't gone through with forcing that either. There’s a typical Carla conflict of interests here.
Do you think she is ready to start looking for love again, is there anyone she might have her eye on?
No I don’t think she’s ready for another relationship at all and she's definitely not got her eye on anybody. I don't think she's thought twice about it. I think it’s the last thing on her mind.
Over the years you’ve played so many sides to Carla; the businesswoman, the Connor matriarch, relationships, addiction. What is it about her that you love to play?
I like playing all Carla Connor’s unexpected, varied sides. She's got so many sides to her and I think she tries to grow as a person but ultimately her core is fiery and fearless. She is vulnerable, she can be frightened of things but she attacks things face on which ultimately gives me brilliant storylines because she either gets into trouble or she does the right thing. The viewers understand that she's going to go off the rails, but she'll come back again. It's just been such a lovely thing to be able to get to play, all those vulnerable situations with the psychosis, through her addiction and the grief she’s had to deal with, but to be able to show those from a strong woman's perspective has been brilliant. Going out to those places but then being able to come back to the core of her somewhat damaged soul. I love being able to show that journey and that though she makes mistakes she's ultimately a good soul.
What keeps you at Corrie, what's the best thing about working here?
The people, everyone must have said that! Our team is a family, my brothers and sisters are here really, people may come and go but they always remain. I've made so many friends it’s a dream really. It's definitely the people and obviously as an actor getting to play something different every day and practice my art, that is incredible for me. I've got to work constantly now for 27 years, probably with only a year and a half out, so getting to practice your art every single day is sensational for an actor.
What does the show mean to you as a working mum?
It means everything, being able to do this and also being able to bring up my child and see her most nights and weekends is incredible. It inspires Daisy to follow the path she wants to take, it can be a tricky industry but there's nothing that Daisy loves more than to go to her acting school on a Saturday. She goes to Actor Tribe with Jennifer James and Lee Boardman and there's just nothing more inspiring than that.
What bonds and friendships with other women has the show brought you over the years?
I have such amazing bonds with absolutely all of them, it’s impossible to single anyone out. Me and Jane Danson had our children at the same time, they’ve been in the same class, so we really bonded through them. Our babies are still really good friends and look out for each other which is really nice even though they’re in their teens. But with so many of the women, we've all grown up together and I love all of the women here. What has also been lovely is looking after the newbies, me Liam and Cait all meet up and one of the things I love about this job is it’s multi-generational and you get to spend time with old and young. It's brilliant and it encourages that growth and contact with all generations. I love being a mentor and a work mummy but equally I rely on Helen Worth who I've had as a mentor for years and years and will go to with any problem whatsoever.
No comments:
Post a Comment