“Sam Dingle is a national treasure!”

James and Karen reveal the responsibilities of playing a perfect pair in the village…

After Sam and Lydia’s comedy scenes, how do you feel about doing more dramatic stuff?

James It’s another opportunity for our on-screen relationship to grow and change direction – although it’s great to play that lighter side. The amount of things that happen in this village, you do need a bit of light and laughs to counterbalance the doom and gloom and death – and helicopters crashing!

You both play quirky characters on screen, but is it easier or harder to play people so far removed from yourselves?

Karen I usually play character roles, so Lydia is a gift of a part.

I put the costume on, grab Lydia’s handbag, and then I get away with saying all sorts of things [laughs]. James Personally I think it’s easier to hide beneath a character, and I enjoy it. I’m never going to be a leading actor – I’m a character actor, so for me this is a dream role.

What do the viewers think of Sam and Lydia being together?

Karen The public are so protective of Sam! He’s a national treasure. Sometimes people stop me and say, “You have to look after Sam!” James I think that they’re well suited and it’s been well received. There’s not been any negative reaction to their relationship.

Karen It’s nice to play the quirkiness of each of them.

Their relationship magnifies that a little bit, then there are other times when they’re gentle and kind, and you see the other side of their personalities.

James, you’re one of the longest-serving actors on the show. What keeps it fresh for you?

James I’ve been playing Sam for 23 years off and on, and at the moment I’m enjoying the job more than I ever have done. I think that’s in part down to working with Karen, and what she brings to the table. We have a lot of things in common, actually – like we’ve both got kids.

Karen Yes, plus we’re similar ages ourselves and we’ve got similar backgrounds.

What’s it like working with young Sam Hall, who plays Samson, on emotional scenes?

James It’s good. He’s a teenage lad, so you have to bear that in mind. But he’s a lovely, lovely boy and enjoys the job. He’s great and interesting to work with.

Karen And also, he’s very thoughtful!