Coronation Street ACTRESS RUXANDRA POROJNICU TALKS ABOUT HER HARROWING STORYLINE
‘CORONATION STREET’ ACTRESS RUXANDRA POROJNICU TELLS OK!’S KATIE LANGFORD-FOSTER ABOUT LIFE ON THE COBBLES AND MEETING A PRINCESS
After a whirlwind few months on Coronation Street, Ruxandra Porojnicu is excited to see her major storyline come to a dramatic head this week.
The actress, who studied drama in her native Romania before moving to London four years ago, plays Alina Pop, a young victim of human trafficking and modern slavery. While her smiley persona initially kept Alina’s story hidden from her unsuspecting neighbours on the Street, Seb Franklin (played by Harry Visinoni) had become increasingly concerned about her welfare as the pair grew closer. With some pretty intense scenes involved, the soap has worked closely with the Salvation Army to hit the right tone.
Here, Ruxandra, 25, chats to OK! about tackling tough topics, her award nomination and receiving some royal support…
How has it been working with the Corrie team? Amazing. I was scared at the beginning because it’s such a big show in the UK. But everyone has been so welcoming. I’ve loved working with Harry Visinoni, he’s such a nice guy.
You’ve said you can relate to Alina. In what way?
I saw myself in her situation because she comes here to the UK to earn some good money, to provide for her family and for herself and she trusts people. It was the same situation as when I moved here from Romania four years ago. I didn’t have much money and I didn’t like the first job I had. What was that job?
It was cleaning on a construction site. It was really hard physical work but I really needed a job that week because the £300 I had wasn’t going to last in London. I had to pay the rent, so I didn’t think about having a contract, I just needed to work. I trusted people, like Alina did, but it worked out much better for me, of course. How did you prepare for the storyline? On the first day we had a meeting with the Salvation Army and a victim of trafficking. I didn’t know anything about it before and I was like, wow, is this really happening? When I thought about slavery, I thought of sex trafficking straight away, and people who are trapped in a house and can’t leave. But Alina is able to go out and about, and from the outside it doesn’t look like she’s going through this situation. Some of Alina’s scenes have been intense. Has that been emotional to film? Some scenes were definitely hard to film and quite overwhelming. It touches me so deeply. At the end of the day it’s acting, but you don’t forget and I think it stays with you forever.
We hear you had the pleasure of meeting Princess Eugenie recently…
Yes, we went to an event that she organised through her Anti-slavery Collective. She was so down to earth and so nice, I forgot I was speaking to a royal. She was asking me about the storyline but I couldn’t say much to her because I was only filming the first part. Even the royals don’t get spoilers! How did you first get into acting?
I started acting around eight years ago in a drama company. After studying acting at university I moved to the UK straight away. The competition for roles in London is bigger but I had to give it a proper try. How does it feel to be nominated for Best Newcomer at this year’s Inside Soap Awards? Amazing. I told my family and they were like: ‘Ah… now you’re talking!’
What would be your dream role? I’d love to be in a Marvel action movie. That would be great!
IF YOU SUSPECT THAT YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU HAVE COME ACROSS, MIGHT BE A VICTIM OF MODERN SLAVERY AND IN NEED OF HELP, PLEASE CALL THE SALVATION ARMY’S 24/7 CONFIDENTIAL REFERRAL HELPLINE ON 0300 303 8151. IF SOMEONE IS IN IMMEDIATE DANGER, CALL THE POLICE ON 999. FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO WWW. SALVATIONARMY.ORG.UK/MODERN-SLAVERY.
‘CORONATION STREET’ IS ON ITV ON MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS.
‘some scenes were definitely hard to film and overwhelming’