EastEnders airs Stacey Brannings return scenes next week as her mum Jean Slater pays a visit to her in prison. Jean (Gillian Wright) heads to the jail after coming up with a possible way to secure her daughters freedom, but Stacey is initially sceptical over her plans. Later in the day, the duo are reunited again as Jean suffers a shock collapse and Stacey is allowed to visit her in hospital. Will Jeans scare be enough to convince Stacey that she should fight for her release? Here, Lacey Turner - who plays Stacey - chats about her permanent return to EastEnders. How does it feel to be back? Its nice to be back and meet everyone thats new. Nothing really changes - you leave for four years and come back and everything is still the same. There are just a few new faces and its nice to get to know them - then after a while they dont seem so new. I do feel like the new girl a little bit, but I dont feel pressured - its nice to be back and enjoy working with the Slaters. It is lovely. Does Stacey have any regrets? I dont know if she has regrets, but the most important thing was to start again. Stacey wants a fresh start, and for her and Lily to have a nice life. Thats all she wants, so she wants to get rid of that cloud hanging over her head and start again. The only way she thought she could do that was to confess to everything. How has prison been for Stacey? She has coped. I dont think she has had a terrible time in there. She has managed to get through each day, but she has struggled not seeing Lily. Stacey is just taking each day as it comes and counting down. How does Stacey react when Jean reveals her idea to get her out of prison? Stacey doesnt take it so well at first. She wants to serve her time and that is something she really wants to do to - then be able to start her new life afterwards. She feels she cant start again until she has paid for what she has done, but slowly as things happen - as bad things happen - she decides that maybe its not the wisest thing to stay in there and if she has an opportunity to get out, she should take it. There are problems between Jean and Ollie, but does Stacey know that? She doesnt know that there are any problems, as Jean keeps that very much to herself. Stacey notices a few changes to Jeans behaviour but nothing that makes her think something is going to happen. They are very subtle, so I dont think she thinks anything is wrong. It is a surprise to her when it goes wrong. Jean is caring for Lily, so Stacey must trust her? Yeah I think she does, as Jean has been well for a really long time. Stacey believes she is happy with Ollie and living a lovely life, so far as I know, yeah she trusts her mum. I suppose it is hard to have someone else looking after her child, though - that would worry anyone. What is it like working with Gillian Wright again? It has been really funny - thank God we saw each other in make up first, as we spent 20 minutes laughing at each others faces! We didnt even get to say hello, we looked at each other and laughed - thank God as we would have wasted time on set! We work so well together. It is so easy - we bounce off each other and it was nice to work with her after not seeing her for ages. She is funny - she has one of those laughs that makes you laugh. Will Staceys bipolar issues be explored more? I am not sure, to be honest. Obviously she will always have it. It doesnt go away, she just maintains a healthy living, but who knows? I do enjoy doing it. It is tiring and it does take you to another place, but it is nice to be able to explore different emotions. How do you feel about being ruled out as Lucys killer? I just wish people would believe me when I say I dont know who killed her! (Laughs.) People think I am lying, but no-one here knows - we certainly dont know anything. What can you tell us about the key that Stacey gave to Lauren before she was arrested? Nobody will tell me! I dont know what it is. It is like a locker key. All the directors say Whats the key? but I suppose it will come out at some point. I have no idea - she doesnt own anything of value. How do you think the Squares residents will react to Stacey when she is released from prison? I dont think she had any massive haters, apart from the Mitchells maybe. I dont think anyone would be mortified that she was out. How will she get her life back on track? Shes a qualified colourist so maybe shell work at Blades! Are you enjoying working with your on-screen daughter? She is very funny and very forward! At one point Jessie [Wallace] said, What do you want to be when you are older? Do you want to be an actress? and she said I am an actress! Do you feel like you achieved your ambitions during your time away? Yeah, I left here wanting to just have a break. I didnt know what I wanted to do. At one point I wanted to make furniture. I am one of these people who does courses in everything - I have got lots of qualifications, but I dont use any of them! I just wanted to live a normal life. I was just lucky to work, I had fun and I made a variety of different things. I do feel like I achieved something. What were your proudest moments? Our Girl was a big thing for me. It was written for me so you always feel very flattered by that and it was a big challenge, something so far away from my life and anything I had ever done before. It was important for me to try and get it right as soldiers are real people and they do such a great job, so you dont want to disappoint them. If just one soldier watches it and thinks, That is a bit like what we do then I would be happy. That for me was the biggest challenge and what I feel most proud of. What other courses have you done? Upholstery and interior design. I like it - its therapeutic. It takes you away from the manicness that this is. Its my you time. Whats the best thing youve made? I have a storage full of wooden furniture, but I get attached to it! I make it and then people say, Thats really nice, can I buy it? I say, Just have it, you can take it, but then sometimes I think, Thats nice, I will keep it - but I have nowhere to put it! Will we see the rest of the Slaters again? I dont know, but it would be lovely if all of us came back. I would love for Derek [Martin] to come back - Uncle Charlie. We miss him loads. There are so many of us. Would you say its a risk when you leave a big soap like EastEnders? I did think, What if I dont get any work? but I was lucky. There are so many talented actors that arent working and I find it hard to believe. They are making loads of stuff now - more and more in this country and they are using a lot of unknown actors. They are giving people a chance, and if nobody gave me a chance I wouldnt be here now as I didnt go to drama school or anything like that. So it is nice to give unknown faces a chance. As you hadnt trained, did it take a while to feel like you belonged on the show when you were starting out? Its only in the last year that when I write my occupation, I have written actress. I used to write I work for the BBC. I felt I hadnt been to drama school, so I didnt like to call myself an actress. I didnt feel any less important, but I dont really know what happened, I did it and that was it. Stacey has already met Mick, so could they share some more scenes? I dont know where they are going with anything yet, but they do seem like two characters whod get along. Danny [Dyer] is great and is having a great time here. It would be good to work more with him - you never know what they are planning! Are you still in touch with Charlie Clements? Yes, he is really well. I wish he could come back - its weird here without him actually. People still talk to me about Stacey and Bradley. Its a shame really as I loved them as a couple - it is a shame he is dead. Poor Bradley! Is there anything else you can tell us? Stacey is in prison at the moment, but not for long! EastEnders is airing on BBC Two this week but returns back to BBC One next week for the Slaters big week.
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 23:52:29 +0000
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015