The news is finally out - how are you enjoying your time on Coronation Street?
It's been so much fun! We definitely come in hitting the ground running and it’s so nice to come in as a duo - it’s like having a partner in crime there. I think for us, we are thick as thieves and that adds to the relevance of the characters, so it’s been so much fun so far and I’m really grateful to be here.
Can you talk me through how you got the part?
So I did a self tape and then I got called up for the next round, which was a screen test. I went in and there were around five other couples. I was last in and when I auditioned, I was told to stay there and someone walked in with Joe. It was quite a heavy scene that we did for the screen test, I got to throw a sandwich at Joe, which I threw at his face - I think it was a spam sandwich! I remember thinking how fun it was, people get to call throwing a sandwich at someone’s face work?! When I got the call to offer me the part, it was incredible.
Do you remember where you were when you found out you got the part?
Yeah, I was working in a studio as a studio manager on the side of acting, so I’m glad I was at work because I had like 20 people who were around me at the time of waiting for the news. Everyone just kept asking me to let them know when I found out. I remember walking in and there were about six girls who gathered around me and it was such a lovely moment because there was so much support, I was crying - I've never physically shaken that much in my life, it was just a feeling of pure shock and joy.
How did you tell your family you got the part?
I've actually got little FaceTime videos of me telling them, my friend told me to video them which was a lovely idea. You can’t hear the sound but I’ve got my mum's reaction which was great and my dad had teals rolling down his face, but he was in the middle of eating a sandwich which wasn’t the most flattering video. My grandma is so invested, she’s been a fan of Corrie for such a long time and she knows everything about it. I even showed her a picture of one of Lou’s costumes and she said ‘Oh, I already know what sort of person you are’.
What acting experience did you have before Corrie?
I went to drama school and did a bit of theatre. I was in Brassic earlier this year and have been in Emmerdale before. I’ve actually been in Coronation Street before in 2019, I played a reporter on the Boxing Day episode so it feels like a full circle moment which makes it even more exciting. But this is definitely my first big role.
What was your reaction when you found out about Lou?
At first, I didn’t know much about her or what she was going to be like because the screen test was quite heavy but obviously we have developed the characters a lot more since then. Lou is definitely an exciting character to play because she’s got good and bad parts to her, she’s a life force and full of beans. She’s a very colourful character who likes to make waves and try to cause chaos. But she also has that strong family loyalty, especially between Mick and Lou, they are thick as thieves and will stick up for each other, even when they probably shouldn’t.
Do you think you'd be friends with Lou in real life?
No. No. Just no. I think she's the sort of person you’d try and be friends with at school just so you don’t get on the wrong side of her, so you keep her at arms length and try to keep her sweet. She’s one of those people that if you catch her on the wrong day, you’ll get a smack in the toilets!
Lou sparks up a nice friendship with Gemma - Is Lou aware that Mick has been harassing Chesney?
Yeah, she does know but she goes into the friendship with Gemma in a really genuine way because she wants to make friends. Lou is irritated by Mick harassing Chesney and there’s a scene where she tells him to just let it go. I think because they are coming from a place where they weren’t liked previously, Lou’s trying everything she can to make a fresh start and build friendships - but I don’t think she realises that the problem is probably her…
Knowing what you know of Lou, can you describe her in three words?
I don’t know if I’d be allowed to say the words that initially come to mind… Irrational, gobby and fiery - but I’d also say loyal too so there’s four words!
And final question, what do you love about Coronation Street?
Oh, I have genuinely been blown away by how ridiculously warm and nice everyone is, not that I didn’t expect it, but as soon as you walk in the door you realise how invested everyone is in each other. It’s really like a proper family and everyone is so excited for each other. It’s been such an enjoyable experience so far and of course I’ve only been here for around a month now, but I feel so settled and excited for what’s to come.
Glenda Young
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