MICHELLE’S NEW MISSION
MICHELLE KEEGAN is back in her fatigues for a new series of Our girl
LAST YEAR, FORMER Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan had the unenviable task of replacing the popular Lacey Turner in BBC1 army drama Our Girl, playing determined medic Georgie Lane.
But after just one series, having wowed viewers and made the show her own, she has been rewarded with a new series of 12 episodes, split into three separate missions, and all set in far-flung locations.
We met with the 30-year-old actress as she filmed in Malaysia…
WHERE DO WE PICK UP WITH GEORGIE THIS YEAR? She’s still in the army, facing every challenge head on, and as the series begins we see her in Syria with the Special Forces. Then we cut to her getting a call from Captain James [Ben Aldridge] asking her to go on a humanitarian mission to Nepal, where there has been a series of earthquakes. AT THE END OF THE LAST SERIES, GEORGIE REJECTED BOTH FIANCÉ JAMIE (ROYCE PIERRESON) AND OLD FLAME ELVIS (LUKE PASQUALINO) TO FOCUS ON HER ARMY CAREER. BUT, WITH ELVIS STILL ON THE SCENE THIS YEAR, COULD LOVE BE ON THE CARDS? Well, you’ll see old flames and new romances this series, both of which cause more trouble for Georgie. It’ll be quite a roller coaster for her, and there’ll be heartbreak as well as joy. She has to work alongside Elvis again and she tells him they’re just mates, but the audience knows the two of them can never just be friends.
DOES IT FEEL DIFFERENT COMING INTO SERIES THREE, NOW YOU’RE MORE ESTABLISHED ON THE SHOW? Yes, I feel more comfortable now. I know what I’m doing and I know the character better. I was a big fan of the first series, so last year I was really worried how the audience would feel about us taking the show in a new direction with a new actress. And, personally, I did wonder, could I be believable as someone in the army? Could I do the part justice? It’s very hands-on and physical, and I’d never done anything like that before. My army advisor told me even my walk wasn’t right for a soldier. But I’ve loved the experience and now as soon as I get into the uniform all of my mannerisms change.
THE SERIES HAS BEEN COMMISSIONED FOR AN EXTENDED RUN THIS TIME.
ARE YOU DELIGHTED? I’m really excited. This time we’re out filming in lots of locations and telling different stories in every mission, so it keeps the show fresh. Georgie is going to the ends of the world, so you see her everywhere from the jungle to the mountains.
YOU’VE BEEN FILMING ALL AROUND THE WORLD, FROM SOUTH AFRICA TO NEPAL. IS IT FUN SHOOTING ABROAD? Well it is very, very humid here in Malaysia – the crew are constantly giving me ice packs, and sometimes I have them hidden in my army vest! It takes a while to acclimatise but it’s amazing. I can’t believe
I’m being paid to go to parts of the world you never get to see.
DO YOU GET HOMESICK WHILE FILMING SO FAR FROM THE UK?
I always bring Yorkshire Tea teabags out with me, my own slippers and
my laptop with my Netflix account, so I never feel too far from home. Luckily, I’ve had lots of visitors, like my husband, Mark [Wright], and mum and brother. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and it’s nice to miss people.
THERE’S ALWAYS A BOOT CAMP BEFORE FILMING. SO HOW WAS IT
THIS YEAR? It was great. It really gets you in the right frame of mind. We spent a week doing medical training and learning about IEDS [Improvised Explosive Device]. The stunts this year are amazing and I actually did a lot of them myself, but sometimes I wasn’t allowed. I always end up with bruises.