Louisa Lytton interview
Former EastEnders star Louisa Lytton has loved playing the role of Michelle in Edge Of Heaven because she hasn't been forced to spend every day crying.
The actress admits it has been a refreshing change to take on the role the upbeat and fun friend of Carly and Alfie, rather than a downtrodden girl like Ruby Allen in the BBC soap. "It is so nice to do something completely different that is more fun and upbeat. I have had characters that have been put in crazy situations and normally it is very much the case of 'woe is me' and I have had to be miserable and cry all the time. But this one is far more comical and it is nice to have a smile on my face and play someone who is feisty."
The 24-year-old actress says she can relate to her character, Michelle, who has been friends with Alfie for years and who secretly is in love with him. "She is so in love with him and when Carly jilts Alfie, she can't believe that she could do that to him," reveals the actress. "Michelle is very grounded, warm and no matter what she tells herself that it might not be the right thing, she can't help how she feels. So when she sees her friend not treat him very well, she feels that Alfie and Michelle can be happy. She wants to have that opportunity.
"I know a lot of people will think 'how can you go out with your best friend' but it does not play out like that. She thinks they belong together. But the dynamics do work with Carly. She is ditzy, stupid and she says the wrong things but Michelle and Carly's friendship still works hand in hand. Carly lightens up the mood. I do think a lot of people will relate to this story."
For Louisa, the camaraderie on set was particularly special. She says: "We all had such fun and Justine, who plays Carly, and I became such great friends. It is so important to find that friendship and the fact it happened is really nice. It just gelled and it does show on screen.
"The whole experience of filming Edge Of Heaven has been fantastic and no matter what happens, I am really proud of the show."
Louisa, who has also starred in The Bill and performed on Strictly Come Dancing in the past, admits she was very nervous on the first day of filming. "I have been working for nearly ten years now which is crazy. A lot of people will probably ask what I have been doing for the last two years but I have done a lot of theatre, musicals and independent films. It's been quite versatile and so it has been nice to do TV again. Mind you, I was so nervous on the first day as I had not done it for so long!"
Talking about whether she'd return to soap, Louisa reveals: "I loved my time on the soap (EastEnders) but I am not sure I would return to one again. Never say never!"
And Louisa, who is currently single, says she definitely would be interested in reprising the role of Michelle if the comedy drama proves to be popular. "Now I am doing some comedy for ITV, I am hoping this will open doors, but I am hoping this will come back again as that would be so brilliant. This really is a feel good family show. You can imagine your younger cousins and your grandparents enjoying it. My mum has been helping me with my lines and she really cracked up when she read some of my scenes!"
A lively, gregarious, fun actress, Louisa laughs as she admits the only downside of working on Edge Of Heaven has been the on-set catering. "Learning not to give in to eating too many cakes has been a challenge", she says, laughing as she does. "It's really hard as there are always cakes and biscuits hanging around - you have to learn how to say no!"
Reflecting on her career success, Louisa continues: "I was 15 when I started. My family were not in the industry at all and it was so full on being in EastEnders. I was so young and I didn't know what to expect. It could have gone one of two ways - either I went off the rails or I grew up. I was focused and I grew up. I do feel really lucky. Everything is going really well."