Lacey Turner interview
Since leaving her role as Stacey in EastEnders in 2010, Lacey Turner has taken on the supernatural in TV dramas Bedlam and Being Human. Now, she plays Stella in ITV2's drama about a group of four witches living in fashionable Camden in London.
Lacey reveals why she is attracted to this genre: "It's so different from the life a person would normally live," says Lacey. "Those things don't really tend to happen, they are not 'real' so to speak. For me, it's the excitement of doing the unknown, and doing things that are different from what you'd normally experience.
"I wanted to do Switch because it's about witches. There are a lot of films or dramas about vampires and ghosts but I hadn't seen anything about witches. I love the film Practical Magic and I thought, 'brilliant, I get to do my own version!'"
Taking on the role in Switch, Lacey had to face one of her fears during filming for the first episode.
"I am absolutely petrified of cats!" says Lacey.
In the story, Lacey's character Stella has accidently microwaved her boss's cat. Knowing she'll get the sack when her boss finds out, Stella calls an emergency 'Switch' in the hope of bringing the cat back to life with a bit of magic.
"Stella goes into complete panic mode because she has accidentally microwaved Janet's cat. It is probably the worst thing in the world that could happen to her because Stella is so eager to please Janet and Janet is absolutely so besotted by her cat.
"Having to film those scenes was a bit of a nightmare for me. The idea was that the cat would run straight in between Phoebe and I. I knew it wasn't going to happen like that, and I was right as the cat ended coming more to my side.
"I found myself holding my breath for so long because I was so scared and got a bit panicky. In the end the director filmed that part without me.
"I'm definitely more of a dog person. I hope I get over my fear of cats as it's a nuisance and cats are everywhere!"
Stella is the most career-driven of the foursome. But her eagerness to please often sees her get into tricky situations at work.
"Stella has got the most horrible boss in the world, Janet who is played by Amanda Drew. Stella is absolutely petrified of her.
"Stella wants to do well in her career. She knows exactly where she is going and where she wants to be. When it comes to her boss she will do anything Janet says, so if Janet says 'jump' she says 'how high?'
"Janet can be as rude as she likes and Stella just has to take it. But there are a few moments when Stella doesn't take it so well and it all goes a little bit wrong..!"
Back at home in Camden, Stella has a strong friendship with the other witches in her coven. They are the best of friends and would do anything for each other.
"Although Stella is really career driven, when it comes to her girls she'd drop anything.
"Their friendships are so strong. They could be on the other side of the world and it wouldn't matter. They are friends for life. There are quite a few heart to hearts between Grace and Stella, which is quite nice to see it so show the bond between the girls."
Lacey continues: "It's nice because I think a lot of people will relate to them because they are just normal girls and the thing is, each and everyone of them is very different. There will be women out there who will be just like one of them.
"They live very normal lives, but they just so happen to be witches and they use magic when they really need to, normally if they are in a tricky situation."
Stella is the 'earth' element, and because she's also the main bread-winner of the foursome, she is the one who holds the group together through thick and thin.
"She is the mother hen of the group," says Lacey. "Stella is the one who makes sure all the bills are paid, the flat is tidy and she looks after them in the sense that she makes sure she knows where they all are and that they are okay.
"I think she is one of those people who is such a control freak that if something falls out of place then she slightly panics.
"I don't really think I am like her. She's definitely a control freak, and she's quite bossy!"
Speaking further about her character Lacey says:
"As the show goes on you'll see Stella is quite grounded and not afraid to get her hands dirty. She is quite earthy, so is a reflection of her element in that sense.
"Each of the girls' personalities reflects the element they are. For example, Hannah is 'air' and as she is always travelling the world, and very flighty. Jude's character is very fiery and Grace is quite emotional."
When Lacey joined the cast of Switch she was pleased to be reunited with two old friends and make one new friend.
"I've known Hannah since I was 11 and met Nina quite a few years ago. I had never met Phoebe before though.
"We all got on so well from day one. We were living close together in Cardiff so went for dinner every night or would sit in one of our flats and get a takeaway and watch a film.
"We all bonded. The most important thing for us was that the friendship was real
because if it was, then everything else would fall into place."
Lacey also enjoyed working on a drama with four girls as the main characters.
"Switch is a show that stars four women. There are not many things now where the cast is really female heavy. It was nice to just have four girls."
Taking on the role of Stella, Lacey found herself in clothes that wouldn't normally be to her taste...
"Stella's look is quite sophisticated, well at least she thinks it is! Everything is straight lines, neat, and matching. It is quite simple but strong. She's not the type of person who would ever wear floaty skirts. She is very much into pencil skirts, sharp jackets. She likes to look smart because of her career.
"The clothes were nothing like I've ever had to wear before," continues Lacey.
"When I first started I thought to myself that I would take some of them with me when I finished. But when it got to the end I thought, 'I actually never want to see that jacket ever again!'"
What does Lacey think will attract viewers to tune into Switch on ITV2?
"I really like Chloe and Tim's [Chloe Moss and Tim Price] writing. That was something that really attracted me to the show.
"It's a comedy drama about four girls, but they just happen to be witches. I think you can't not love them. They are really likeable and loveable and people. It's also quite funny.
"I think Switch has got a little bit of everything and that will be a big draw in attracting people to it."
Finally, if Lacey could cast a spell what would it be?
"Oh, that's hard as every day it would be something different! Right now I would really like a spell for all the housework to be done!"
Lacey's previous credits include True Love; Frankenstein's Wedding...Live in Leeds; and The Fades. She is currently working on a drama for the BBC.