Since shooting to fame as Coronation Street’s sex kitten barmaid Tanya Pooley, Eva Pope has rarely been off our screens. Grafters and Four Fathers are just a couple of her high-profile dramas, and now she’s back on ITV1 as a regular in the hit drama Peak Practice. With glowing good looks, Eva, 33, is certain to set pulses racing as the Beeches’ new nurse, Claire Brightwell. freetime caught up with the glamorous brunette to see how she coped with being away from her graphic designer husband Laurence Lasalle and their daughter Elise, six, during filming in Derbyshire…
Tell us about your character…
Claire comes in as the new practice nurse – eventually. At first she’s turned down because the others don’t think someone like her would be satisfied in a small practice in the middle of the countryside.
Why – what is she like?
She’s very brash, very confident. She’s a very competent nurse and doesn’t come across as the type who will fit in. The fact that she gets the job even though they first appoint someone else says even more about her. You’ll have to watch to find out how!
How does she get on with all the familiar faces?
Claire’s a bit of a man-eater and she knows her strengths and the effect that she has on men and women. She gets on well with her old friend Alex (Maggie O’Neill) but prefers male company. My storyline draws all the other characters into it. It’s incredibly powerful.
What attracted you to the part?
It’s a fabulous role. I like the fact that Claire’s quite masculine and has many layers. Also, this is going to be a completely different series to before. It’s going to appeal to a wider audience – I know people will love it.
Has it been hard living away from London?
Yes, that’s been the hardest part. It’s been great fun, but tough being away from my daughter Elise for six months. I go down when I’m not working, but that’s rare, and sometimes she comes up here. We have been grabbing time but she’s had enough now; she’s been putting her foot down so it’s a good job it’s all finishing.
How does she feel about her mum being a well-known actress?
She hasn’t seen me in anything because most of the stuff I do isn’t suitable for a child of six. If anything, she probably dislikes the fact that I’m an actress because I’m away so much. Maybe when she’s older she’ll think it’s cool.
Would you like more children?
Yes, but not right now. I don’t know how I’ll fit it all in. It’s not something that’s going to happen in the next year, although saying that, I didn’t know Elise was coming!
What’s your next career move?
I’ve got some film coming up and discussions about the next series of Peak Practice. No one knows if it will happen but I’d make a bet that it will.
Tell us about your production company…
It’s called Charismatic and I formed it with a great group of people. We’ve been planning it for about a year. Most of us were actors and we’re very excited because we got a fantastic script film script in the making. I’m interested in producing good strong work and making documentaries.
Do you prefer to control over your work?
That’s not the reason for forming my own company. I actually like being told what to do as an actor – it’s the only place where I’ll put up with being ordered around.
Interview by Shoba Vazirani, OK! Magazine, Issue 298, January 17th 2002.