Nina Toussaint-White interview
Nina Toussaint-White stars in Switch as wannabe fashion designer Jude, who is also part of a coven of witches - the Witches of Camden.
Dressing for the part of Jude was one of the highlights of the role for Nina.
"I was lucky", says Nina. "Because she's into fashion I got to look quite cool. She's a Camden girl so her style is a mix of High Street and Camden Market. She can't afford designer clothes, but how she puts everything together looks amazing."
Of the quartet, Jude is the 'fire' element, so her clothes reflect her strong and confident personality.
"Out of all the girls Jude's got the most vibrant and bold colours. She wears big jewellery, studded tops and spikey shoes. They are bright and show her confidence. She never wear frills and pastel colours, she leaves that to Grace.
"I dress differently to Jude in everyday life, but I love her style. I wanted to take all the clothes home! My favourite outfit is the Summer Solstice outfit she wears in episode six - it's an Aztec boob tube with a black mini skirt."
Nina, who has previously starred in Doctor Who and EastEnders, was thrilled to be cast in Switch, and couldn't believe how alike she was to her character.
"When I first read the script I thought, 'that's me!' I could see myself in the role because we are so similar.
"We're both quite bolshie, energetic people. Jude is a hedonist, I wouldn't say I'm a hedonist as such, but I sometimes speak before I think. I like to go out and have fun and party. She's confident and loud, fun and carefree, and I think that's what I'm like.
"I'm not like her when it comes to men, though. She loves going from one guy to the next. But if you're single, carefree and safe, why not?, I say. She's a 21st Century woman."
Speaking further about her character Nina says: "She's fiery, like her element, and she likes to have a good time. I love that she's driven. She's chosen a career like acting, it's like a rollercoaster full of chances and opportunities but it isn't easy. I think she's chosen quite a scary career to follow and it's hard to get into, but she knows she'll make it if she keeps going."
How can viewers expect Jude to develop over the series?
"Jude starts off as a party animal, and is a bit of a sex maniac," says Nina. "But when she sees one of her friends happy in a relationship, she begins to change.
"In every episode you see many layers of Jude. You see her vulnerable side, you see her caring side, you see her strong side and her funny side. Each episode is its own journey and Jude has many layers, she's a lot softer than she shows, especially when it comes to her best friends."
Nina says that the friendship between the Switch girls is one of the most important themes in the series.
"As well as witchcraft, the whole series is a lot to do with the girls' relationships with each other. Whether it's lending support or certain moments when one is hurt, or upset, you can see the love they have for each other. Their friendship is really strong.
"We all became really close on set. I don't think it would have worked so well if we didn't become friends outside of work."
Nina describes Jude as the teenager of the coven.
"I've lived with girls before and I always look at the different roles that each person plays in a house. I think Jude could be seen as a bit of a teenager. She's the one who does what she likes and wants to party. Next is Stella who is more of the parent, she has a stable job and pays the bills. Then there is Grace who's a little bit more timid but she's wiser than the rest of us and has strong morals and knows all the spells. Finally is Hannah who is flighty and doesn't have a job. She needs looking after and is the baby of the group."
Nina admits she enjoyed filming the special effects for the series, and casting spells.
"They take forever to film, but they are worth it. To make spells we have to each add an element to the cauldron, which usually is just anything we can find - someone's hat, purse, or a cooking pot from the flat. The element we add is something linked to us. For example Jude might burn a piece of paper with her lighter or Stella might use the mud from a plant pot.
"We then, as witches, hold hands around the cauldron and chant the spell, then brace ourselves as it comes together. It's quite hard sometimes to get the rhythm right for the spells, so we often practice beforehand.
"We don't use the spells for bad or evil. We are white witches. Although Jude does use one for getting a man...is that bad?"
Much like her co-stars, Nina is also a fan of the Supernatural. "I like Misfits now, and growing up I loved Sabrina the Teenage Witch, The Craft and The Witches."
Nina's birthday falls near Hallowe'en at the end of October, so after her experience playing a witch on screen, how will she be celebrating this year?
"The girls and I said we'd like to dress up as proper witches and go trick or treating! As my birthday is two days before Hallowe'en I usually have a themed party, but I'm still to decide what to do this year!"
If Nina could cast a spell what would it be?
I would put a spell to end world hunger. But if I couldn't do that, I would make it summer all year round in England.
Nina's previous credits include Scott & Bailey; Whitechapel; The Missing Day; and Primeval.