| bbfan1991 |
14-10-2013 07:35 PM |
'Hollyoaks': Kieron Richardson talks shock explosion, Ste's future
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Hollyoaks airs some of its biggest episodes of the year this week as a bomb explodes during Ste Hay and Doug Carter's leaving party at the council flats.
The tragedy takes place after Ste's friend and flatmate Sinead O'Connor (Stephanie Davis) accidentally brings a bag containing the explosive device into the building.
Digital Spy recently caught up with Kieron Richardson, who plays Ste, to hear all the gossip on the highly-anticipated episodes.
What were these explosion scenes like to film?
"When you're doing a stunt, for safety reasons you often have to use stuntmen. What's great about this story, and the beauty of it, is that each cast member is doing their own stunt in the explosion scene. You're going to see each of their faces in order to show what happens in the middle of a bomb.
"The story has got to have heart and everything like that, but we also want to show a beautiful stunt. The only way to do that and make it realistic is to have the actors there doing it for real. Each characters' reaction and experience is shown in slo-mo. You'll see a lot of danger - it's great!"
Some of the scenes were filmed away from the usual set, weren't they?
"Yes. Because Ste's flat is a real building and not just a set, it could never really be done on the usual Hollyoaks set. A replica set had to get knocked up and built in Manchester.
"It was actually a little bit strange to be 30-odd miles away from the genuine set. It melted my head a little bit, because at times I was filming in Ste's flat and thinking I was in Liverpool, and then I stepped outside and I was in Manchester! (Laughs.)"
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When we paid a visit to the Hollyoaks set recently, it was strange to see the flat all boarded up and burned out!
"Well, that's a sad thing as well. For me, I've spent the best part of seven years filming in there every single day. I got to know every nook and cranny, but now I'm not going to be there anymore, so it was a bit surreal and emotional to be saying goodbye to that and also that part of Ste's life.
"It's where so many of Ste's big life moments have taken place. There's been a lot of happiness there but also a lot of doom, so it's actually quite fitting that it's the place where lots of loved characters will be taking their last breath!"
Before this all kicks off, Ste is planning to leave the village with Doug. Is he confident this is the right choice for him?
"I think so. Ste's had a very heavy time this year with everything he's had to deal with, and recently it's continued with getting a suspended sentence and Leah running away, when she found out about Pauline's assisted suicide.
"It just seems to be one thing after another, so Ste thinks that if he stays in the village, his life is just going to spiral completely out of control. Why stay in the village when they can have a good time living it up around the world?"
Does Ste really love Doug?
"I know lots of the fans will say it's not genuine love as Brendan is Ste's genuine love. I can say, hand on heart, that Brendan is the true love of Ste's life, but people need to stop giving Doug a bit of a hard time as well.
"You can't forget that this guy's actually been there for Ste all the time, no matter what Ste's put him through. Doug's always stuck by him, and Ste doesn't have anyone else at this point in his life. Doug is the only one showing him any affection and true love. Even though a lot of the audience don't want it, you've got to think about what's best for Ste at this point, and Doug definitely is."
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How do you think the stunt compares to previous ones Hollyoaks have done?
"The bus crash at the wedding last year was so sensational and even filming it took your breath away. Watching it when it went out live was like watching a music video, as everything was so artistically done and beautiful. To win an award for that at the British Soap Awards was incredible.
"The other soaps had to sit back and watch Hollyoaks win that this year, so in my head, I knew that they'd all pull their socks up to be better next year. Everyone always wants to win the 'Spectacular Scene' prize, so I knew that we'd have to be even better than they're going to be! I've watched clips of the explosion and I can safely say that we're in with a good chance again."
Is Ste in a lot of danger?
"Well, the regular viewers will know that the council flat is very small. The bomb is in the kitchen, which isn't really divided from the living room, where most of the characters are, so everyone at the leaving party is in danger. Sinead is particularly close to the bomb - extremely close in fact!
"Upstairs there are more characters because loveable Dodger, crazy Will and his girlfriend Ash are all in the Kanes' flat. There's definitely going to be tragedy…"
Most of our readers will know that Hollyoaks have decided to bring in three sisters for Ste. How do you feel about the producers showing that commitment to your character?
"There's immense pressure. I do watch the show like any other person and I get excited over other storylines, especially when things happen that I didn't know about beforehand.
"When you watch your own performance, you sit back and cringe and question the choices that you've made. I always want to do the best job I can possibly do, and the fact that they're bringing in a full family means that I can't be complacent. I've still got a long way to go yet."
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What can we expect from the new family?
"You can't forget the fact that Hollyoaks is a Northern soap, as it's based in Chester. The only Northern family we've had at the heart of the show for many years has been the McQueens. Now we have the Savages and the Roscoes, who are great Southern families, so we did need another Northern family. I'm quite excited because Northerners have got great charm.
"With the things that Kirsty-Leigh [Porter] and Jess [Ellis] are bringing to their characters Leela and Tegan, we've got a bit of comedy coming up. In Leela, there's also a bit of the Jacqui McQueen that's been missing! We've got the innocence of Peri too, and the craziness of the mum and dad as well. There's something there for everybody!"
A lot of the 'Stendan' fans have been saying that Brendan should be mentioned in Ste's scripts more often. Can you see where they're coming from?
"I can definitely see where the audience are coming from. There are Brendan mentions in the show, but they have to be at the right time. If Ste was to mention Brendan in every emotional scene, we wouldn't be able to move Ste forward as a character and move forward as a show. There's no denying that the story was great, it captivated the audience, it was great for the characters and Emmett was probably the best actor I've ever worked with. He's incredible.
"At the same time, for me, I don't want to be stuck in the past and only known for the Ste and Brendan storyline. I've been consciously trying to get away from it a little bit, while also staying true to the story. Brendan was so important in Ste's life, so the mentions have to be at the right moment, rather than just using it to keep the audience happy every now and again. When Ste is at his lowest, that's when there should be mentions of Brendan."
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