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chats to Memorable TV about her role in new ITV1 drama Bad Mother's
Handbook.
Holly Grainger plays Charlotte Cooper
How did you feel when you got the part in The Bad Mother’s Handbook?
I was really, really pleased. When I read the script I thought it was great. I went to the audition and recognised all the other girls up for the part. I knew they were really good, so I never thought I’d get it. A week went by after the audition, so I thought there was no way that I had got it. So when I was offered the role I was so happy.
How did it feel knowing that you would be working with Catherine Tate?
I was very excited. I love Catherine’s comedy show. It’s amazing and is so funny. I think she is a genius. I am really pleased to have worked with her. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to watch the latest series of The Catherine Tate Show, because I’m in halls of residents at University and don’t have a telly!
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Tell me about your character.
Charlie is a bit of an emo kid – a bit emotional. She’s very intelligent, and has got her feet quite firmly on the ground which helps her deal with the things that have been thrown at her. She and her mum don’t always see eye to eye, and then she has a surprise pregnancy to contend with. She initially puts it to the back of her mind, but then suddenly she realises that she actually has to deal with it.
You have a bed scene. Was it a bit embarrassing to film?
I was a bit nervous at first, but Robin the Director assured me that it would all be under covers. My character just has to stare at the ceiling so it wasn’t too bad. It was probably more embarrassing for everyone else than me. I don’t know what my nana will think though. My granddad once watched me in an episode of No Angels and I was drunk in my first scene. He turned it off and wouldn’t watch it! The bed scene is my first scene in this, so I doubt he’ll watch the rest!
How did you find filming the birth scene?
It was great fun. I spoke to my mum before and she said that when she gave birth she just moaned and rocked from side to side. I spoke to the Director and she said that she wanted comedy screaming, so that is what I did. By the end of the day, I had screamed so much that it felt like someone had put a cheese grater down the back of my throat and had grated off a layer of skin.
What have you enjoyed most about working on The Bad Mother’s Handbook?
All of it. Everyone has been so easy to get on with and it has been just so relaxed. It was strange for me, because we filmed in the same studios that were used for Where The Heart Is. When we first drove there, all these feelings of nostalgia came flooding back. Although when I walked in, all the sets had changed so it looked completely different.
How do you juggle University with filming?
It’s actually a lot more difficult than I thought it would be. I was only filming The Bad Mother’s Handbook for three weeks so it wasn’t too bad, but I had to write essays in the evenings and at weekends so it was tiring. I’m studying English Language and Literature with Spanish at Leeds University. I’m in my 1st year. I really love my course and I really love filming, so even though it’s hard work, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I started acting when I was 5. I’ve always combined studying with acting so I don’t really know any other way.
What are your plans for the future?
I definitely want to get my degree, but I’d love to act too. In this industry you never know what will happen, so I just want to enjoy everything I do.
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