“Never mind Aidan – I want Maria & David to get together!”
As Maria and Aidan’s affair begins to unravel, Samia Longchambon reckons her character would be better off going for a single man...
M
aria is the girl next door who’s never going to get the happy ending she craves,” predicts Samia Longchambon, who plays the hairdresser. “I think Liam Connor was the love of her life, and she’s always searching for another big love like that, but not found it. It’s sad, really!”
Samia may have pity for her alter ego’s plight, but that doesn’t stop her from rolling her eyes in exasperation as we talk about Maria’s doomed affair with Aidan. And we’re particularly grateful to have the star join us in the Bistro today, given that the mum-of-two has just been to the dentist, but powers on despite the effects of the anaesthetic!
After a whopping 17 years on the cobbles, minx Maria is no stranger to a love triangle – and Samia is the first to condemn her choices when it comes to men. However, the actress’ giggling throughout the chat tells us that she wouldn’t have it any other way…
Can you believe Maria has got herself involved in another affair?
Oh, she’s such a massive fool! I feel like banging her head against a wall. She really should have learnt her lesson about 16 years ago when Tyrone cheated on her with Fiz.
Were you surprised Maria was the one to restart the fling with Aidan?
Yeah, at the time I questioned that in the script. She’d just got out of prison – she’d come out stronger, and she’d already told Aidan she wasn’t happy being his bit on the side. But after I had a chat with the story editors, they convinced me that Maria would go along with it because she does think there’s a chance for them to be together. Eventually Aidan will realise she’s the woman of his dreams!
Is there another man you reckon Maria should turn her attention to?
I think Maria and David should get together, and I keep saying it to Jack P Shepherd [who plays David]. Jack rarely gets excited about stuff, but he’s not opposed to the idea! They’ve both had partners murdered, they both have kids, and they’ve grown up together working in the salon. It’s fun to play because they are such good friends, and you want them to get together. It’s like a romcom! CONTINUED OVER↘
Is Maria worried about the repercussions once the truth comes out about her and Aidan?
I think so. Maria doesn’t want to hurt Eva at all, and she’s not doing this to be vindictive – she genuinely loves Aidan and thinks she’s better suited to him. Then again, she and Tracy are on good terms now – and Tracy murdered Charlie Stubbs because of his affair with Maria! Maria is friends with Fiz, too, even though she stalked Tyrone and tried to nick him off her. Once you’ve done their hair, all is forgiven!
However, Toyah has yet to forgive Maria for sleeping with her older boyfriend John Arnley way back in 2003! Is there a chance they could be friends again one day?
It was nice all those years ago when they lived together, but that grudge is here to stay. I think it will all hit the fan, because Toyah and Eva are very close now. Also, Leanne is Eva’s sister and Michelle is Maria’s sister-inlaw, so it’ll be like two tribes going to war when it kicks off. It’ll be fun!
We know that Eva has a revenge plan in store for Aidan. What would you do if you were her?
Oh, I’d stick prawns in the curtain rail and everything, me – I’d cut one leg off all of his suit pants! Which to be fair, probably isn’t far from what Eva has in mind for him…
“I don’t fancy Maria’s chances against a right hook from Eva!”
What would be the best way for Eva to get her own back on Maria?
Oh God, probably by cutting Maria’s hair or something like that. She’s already started on her in episodes we’re filming – Eva says she has cankles in one scene, which I was really upset about! But Eva should probably just beat up Maria. I’d love to see an Eileen vs Gail-style scrap – though I don’t fancy Maria’s chances against a right hook from Eva! Your life is so different from Maria’s – you married your hubby Sylvain last August, and have two
kids, Freya and Yves. Is it ever a struggle getting inside her head?
I’m 35 next month and I was 17 when I joined Corrie, so I’ve spent literally half my life being Maria. After all that time, it’s not very difficult to get inside her head, or to leave her behind when I go home from the studio. I just get my jeans on and I’m Mum again!
Do you reckon you’ll be sticking around for another two decades?
I don’t know, because I don’t like thinking that far ahead, but I’m going to be here for the foreseeable. I love Maria, even though she frustrates the life out of me – and I love the job, too!