Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AS SOAP STAGES KILLER NEW STUNT.. Emmerdale shock: Who’s going out with a bang?
The blast was hot, loud and bigger than I imagined it would be ISOBEL STEELE TOOK PART IN STUNT AS LIV
danger,” says Reece Dinsdale, 61, who plays Paul, as he gives the Mirror an exclusive peek behind the scenes.
“The planning was painstaking and even though it took longer to film than in normal times, it looks so unbelievably dramatic. To pull something off during a pandemic is extraordinary.”
Isobel Steele, 20, who plays Liv, says: “The explosion was hot, loud and much bigger than I imagined it would be. I’ve never been involved in anything like this before and I was gobsmacked! It is very dramatic.”
All three stars involved in the storyline took on a lot more responsibility, doing their own hair and makeup, for example, to get it right.
“We’ve had to make compromises,” explains Isobel. “As well as learning our lines, we’ve had to use our own props and take on more roles for this stunt.
“And even though that has meant more pressure, it has all been worth it because you would never know we have done it during Covid.”
The actors admit it was bittersweet when told about their characters’ involvement, knowing their time on the ITV soap could soon be over. Nick says: “With big, exciting plots, there is danger too. So when they phone you up to tell you your character is involved in a huge storyline, you do wonder what will happen.”
Emmerdale was the first soap to return to filming last year after the first national lockdown and all three stars have naturally been chuffed to be back working. But they long for normality to return on the set. “It’s very strange,” admits Nick. “It’s so lonely at times because there are no longer any communal dressing rooms or green rooms. You can’t eat together in the canteen and they have a maximum of six involved in a scene.
“If you are in a stunt like this where Jimmy is in a van, then that is not many people.”
Isobel agrees: “It’s 100% lonelier. It’s a very different way of working now, especially when you are used to the camaraderie on set. We had to have a celebration from afar when the explosion went off. I know it is not natural at all to be two metres apart and for someone like Lisa Riley, who is such a lovely tactile person, it’s not like her at all! It’s been a massive adjustment.”
But there have been upsides to Covid, jokes Reece, because he hasn’t been confronted in the street by angry fans over his character’s evil bullying.
“For once, having a mask is a benefit,” he says. “Nobody recognises me and so far, there has been nobody with umbrellas beating me over the head!”
It remains to be seen whether he has done something new to spark fury but the coming days in Emmerdale are going to provide plenty of twists and turns for the soap’s loyal fans.
“Who is a goner?” asks Reece. “Soon we will find out if it is Paul, Jimmy or Liv. And there is a surprise fourth character who appears in the hospital too… so it could be any one of four.”
Emmerdale is on ITV on weekdays at 7pm, plus every Thursday at 8pm.