Coronation Street Blog: millie gibson

Showing posts with label millie gibson. Show all posts

Friday, 24 December 2021

Kelly’s Homeless Drugs Crisis At Christmas!: Corrie Blog Chats To Millie Gibson

Kelly Neelan is Coronation Street's archetypal troubled teen. She's rebellious and misunderstood, vulnerable, and prone to self-destruction. Similar to a (younger) Abi, perhaps? Things have improved somewhat for Kelly recently, and guided by homeless friend Stu, she's gained a hairdressing job with Maria, made an ally in Aadi, and even Nina has cooled towards her! Nevertheless, Abi's return to the street means Kelly can’t stay around much longer. Reeling from Abi's warning to leave Coronation Street, the teenager promises to try and find somewhere else to live.

Could Kelly be facing homelessness again this Christmas? Corrie blog donned a festive jumper, downed a mince pie, and joined an ITV zoom session to interview actor Millie Gibson, who told us all about it!

Hi Millie, What an incredible year you have had on the show!

When you joined Coronation Street, did you ever imagine being involved in such hard-hitting storylines?

No, not at all. I'm honoured and flattered to be trusted and be involved in such storylines. They are all very current and woke; hate crime, teen suicide, drug use, living on the streets, they are all delicate and equally challenging serious issues!

What has the public reaction been like?

It’s still quite mixed, I’m not sure if that comes as a surprise still. We have seen struggle with time in prison, the injustice, and more so when she came out. I think viewers are still holding on to her involvement in the attack.

Are viewers still ‘Team Abi’ do you think?

Yes, and I think it’s hard to have sympathy for someone who's involved in such a horrible crime! It would be hard to give someone like that any sympathy, but people can relate to it.

How does Kelly feel when Abi tells her to leave Coronation Street?

Kelly never thought she would have allies with people like Nina, the Alahan’s, and Yasmeen. As she gets people on board, and her redemption begins, she realises she can’t share the same world as Abi. Abi is full of vengeance and anger for her. Kelly then starts to go into that self-destructive turmoil mindset again.

On Boxing Day, Kelly still can’t find anywhere to stay. Before she goes, she leaves flowers for Seb at the memorial garden. Abi finds out and is furious. How does Kelly feel about this?

It is an overreaction but if you put yourself in Abi’s shoes, she finds flowers from a person that was involved in her son’s murder. It acts as a reminder, it’s anger, and she kicks off big time. It triggers her next actions against Kelly and it’s the very worst. It becomes like bullying in that respect

With things taking a turn for the worse, Kelly goes back on the ‘spice’ again. How has it felt portraying this homeless / drug abuse storyline?

It's been very challenging, and I was quite nervous to act out the scenes on spice. I did some research on how to perform it and I did some work with SHELTER to educate me in the homeless aspect. It was heartbreaking to learn more about young women being homeless. Responsibility is a big thing - I wanted to do it justice.

Kelly begrudgingly heads to an NA (narcotics anonymous) meeting, where Abi is also in attendance. How does she feel about this?

In the NA meeting, it becomes apparent how weirdly alike Abi and Kelly are. It seems they both have a similar relationship with drugs, like a lot of addicts, and the family loss, alongside the self-destructive mindset. She doesn’t want to make too much of it in the meeting, at the risk of rattling Abi, but she speaks about her personal experiences and feelings, and Abi recognises a lot of herself in Kelly.

Gary and Maria also offer to help and look out for Kelly. Does she see them as a new family unit?

I think it’s another unlikely home situation. She’s house hopping and happy to have open arms and a roof over her head. However, it’s ironic that everything she’s been through so far, she wouldn’t have been through, if it wasn’t for Gary, and he knows that. If the truth comes out, it could be the final straw for Kelly!

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I think we can all agree that Millie Gibson has given outstanding performances throughout this year. Maybe 2022 will see her reconcile and become a confidante of Abi? Laura is also due back on the scene, so it looks likely that more trouble is on its way for Kelly!

Keep following @corostreetblog for more cast interviews, opinion pieces, episode reviews, and gossip!

I am @rybazoxo your Coronation Street connossieur

All original work on Coronation Street Blog is covered by a Creative Commons License

Friday, 14 May 2021

Corrie Blog speaks to Kelly Neelan actress Millie Gibson

Since her first appearance in June of 2019, Coronation Street has given Kelly Neelan’s character an enviable backstory. Dead dad Rick was a notorious loan shark and her feckless mother couldn't give two hoots about her wayward daughter. Seemingly offered salvation via Toyah and Imran, I guess it was only wishful thinking that a girl with such a troubled background could stay out of trouble. Fast Forward to May 2021 and Kelly has been thrust into the heart of the current hate crime story. Not only is the teen a prime suspect in the attack on Nina and Seb’s murder, but we are being led to believe that she was the sole instigator!

This week, and as the investigation widens, Weatherfield C.I.D has been uncharacteristically quick in investigating, revealing some rather incriminating evidence! They've uncovered forensics, a voicemail, and DNA from blood splattering that puts Kelly right at the heart of the case. Corey’s voluntary statement has only made matters worse - but has she done it? The fact that we viewers haven't seen the attack is wonderous writing from Corrie and clever in the current Covid climate. But I do wonder if Kelly is guilty or is Corrie spinning us a classic soap red-herring?

I was very privileged this week in joining Coronation Street online to learn more from the actress that plays Kelly, Millie Gibson (MG)

Q You only signed up for four episodes originally. How pleased are you with Kelly’s character progression?

MG I’m over the moon! it’s been so exciting to explore different layers of her. When she first came into the show, she was the troubled girl and looking for her Dad and it has since unfolded, to her involvement with a lot of different characters, and I'm pleased about exploring that further

Q Did you ever envisage seeing yourself in a full contracted role when you first started working on the show?

MG No! I am so so grateful. I thought it was going to be a once in a blue moon kind of situation, to now be part of this Corrie family is amazing

Q What acting work had you done before starting on Corrie?

MG Well, I did some theatre, and then got a part on a CBBC children's drama, and for about two seasons. I then did an ITV drama called Butterfly and then auditioned for Corrie. I thought the job would be fun for a few days but I'm still here!

Q Had you watched Corrie before joining the programme?

MG Yes my Mum and Nanna are big fans so it was always on and I was familiar with some of the characters, already. My family are creative, I have a cousin in the West End and joined a few drama groups at School which escalated from there. I did a few productions in School

Q How did you feel when the producers told you that Kelly would be part of such a high-profile storyline?

MG I am so moved to be a part of it and to be asked to make it with all the other actors. Also, it's just heartbreaking to think that it is based on the Sophie Lancaster story, as I was very familiar with that event already. It’s kind of surreal thinking about the fact that we are doing this, putting it together right, and very honoured to be a part of it!

Q Were you worried about people’s reactions to Kelly’s involvement?

MG Yes, but I think it was expected as she's a tricky character to like. Even Toyah is struggling to like her at the minute. Through this storyline, and how it pans out, I think people will become more remorseful for her!

Q Do you think we will see more of Kelly’s vulnerability?

MG She is a typical teenager in that respect, always showing off and putting on a show. But, with this case, we see another side of her and maybe after this, I don't think she will be as cocky. She doesn't like her power being questioned and when Nina was telling her to go home, she felt threatened and slapped her. But as soon as she did it you could see the guilt on her face and she realised that she shouldn't have done it

Q How has the fan reaction been online?

MG It's been half and a half really with some people not being able to distinguish between fiction and reality, but it's been mostly about the performance and people saying they hate her guts so much that they think I must be a good actress!

Q People do comment online about your eyebrow. Was it shaved for the part or is there another reason behind it?

MG It's a scar! When I was younger, maybe 2 or 3 years old, I whacked my head on a stair bannister and it never really healed. I kinda like it!

Q Do you enjoy playing Kelly?

MG It's challenging but in a good way. She's quite boisterous and hard-faced but I'm not as confident as Kelly. It is really fun in that respect but she seems to get in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Q Is Kelly scared of Corey now, with how the story is panning out?

MG I think to start with it was the flirtation with an older boy, a bad boy, that intrigued her but now she’s uncovered someone that is way out of her league. He’s actually in the same league as the people who her Dad used to hang around with, he’s very villainous. He may be sorry for how it happened and does try to confront him, but she doesn't dare to face him anymore.

Q How important is Imran and Toyah's support to her?

I think it's extremely important. These are the first guardians she’s had that have stuck with her throughout and especially in the worst time of Kelly’s life. They must stay on her side but she thinks that won't happen. As she hasn't told the full story, she thinks they will just drop her once they find out what happened!

With a character backstory that's already this strong, coupled with the fact that Millie is a cracking little actress, I would seriously wonder about Corrie if Kelly is completely 100% guilty of the attack on Seb, but we shall see. Her Dad’s disappearance and murder remaining unsolved would surely be Kelly’s next fight? I see Kelly in the Becky McDonald mould of characters and I would guess she’s a long future on the show!

I am @rybazoxo, your Wednesday night episode reviewer