Heavens to Betsey:
Kara Tointon reveals why she loves her role as singer Betsey Day in The Halcyon.
Actress Kara Tointon is loving her role as hotel singer Betsey Day in The Halcyon, not only because she enjoys learning about the history of the 1940s era, but also because her character wears fantastic clothes.
“Betsey gets to wear wonderful outfits,” laughs Kara.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun costume-wise because every new one tops the last. The clothes she wears on stage are just beautiful and even her day wear is lovely.”
Since finding fame playing Queen Vic barmaid Dawn Swann in
EastEnders, Kara, 33, has swapped the gritty East London backstreets for more elegant period dramas.
She and her younger sister, Hannah, played Rosalie and Violette, the daughters of Mr
Selfridge, in the TV drama. “What’s lovely about doing periods is that you get to soak it all up and learn about it in depth,” Kara says. “I loved history at school. In five-star hotels like The Halcyon, set during the Second World War, people were living on a knife edge. “They didn’t know what tomorrow would bring so their decision making was quick and they lived life to the full in that moment. “Being set in a hotel provides a great mix for a drama. They all have to be in one place and that makes for great storylines. “Music is a big part of this show and you really feel like you’re in 1940. “I’ve always loved singing but this is jazz and it’s quite different because you have to be so confident. There’s not a right or
“Music is a big part of this show and you really feel like you’re in 1940.” – Kara Tointon
a wrong way – you can go anywhere with it.”
Kara also had to be confident during a memorable scene in the first episode when she had to discard her cherished period outfits and not wear any clothes at all.
Betsey was taking a bath when the hotel’s owner, Lord Hamilton (Alex Jennings), walked in and she yelled, ‘Bloody hell don’t they teach you to knock?’ Then, standing straight up, she demanded that he pass her a towel.
“Sometimes when you read nude scenes
“Betsey gets to wear wonderful outfits. I don’t think I’ve ever had this much fun costume-wise because every new one tops the last.” – Kara Tointon (Betsey)
in the script you question whether it’s needed,” says Kara. “But I absolutely thought it was right because it introduces you to someone in one swoop. You know that she is someone who doesn’t care too much and is fun. “I was a bit apprehensive about doing it but it turned out to be the funniest day ever. I’m sitting there with the bubbles and for the first hour I was loving it. “And then my hands started to shrivel up because the scene took several hours to film. “I was naked at the back but had masking tape under the bubbles at the front but it started to peel off because it was losing its stickiness. “I didn’t request a body double – although maybe I should have.”