Casualty’s Kellie Shirley plays Sophia on the BBC show (Image: BBC)
Kellie Shirley has opened up about the long-running show’s biggest secrets as she teases major return.
The 43-year-old actress – who is set to play the Wicked Queen in Fairfield Halls production of Snow White next month – rose to fame when she landed the role of Carly Wicks back in 2006.
Since she left Albert Square in 2012, the TV favourite has gone on to raise three children with her loving husband Phil Davies as well as working with some of the biggest names in showbizness including .
Earlier this year, the blonde bombshell landed the role of Sophia, a mental health nurse in the hugely popular medical drama. Now, the doting mum has opened up about what it’s like being part the beloved TV show.
Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, Kellie told us the pressure she feels to remember her lines when acting on the show.
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The soap siren revealed what it’s really like to work on a TV show (Image: BBC)
She explained: “In television, time costs money so you have to be on you A game all the time. You can’t always just do another take.
“With Casualty, you’re filming four scenes a day and they’re really big scenes with lots of crew, lots of extras, and its all really fluid all the way through the A&E.
“It’s quite choreographed so if you messed up your little bit they’re like, ‘Ughh, right lets go again’ so.” Kellie went on to explain that working on a TV set can often mean a lot of long hours and lengthy car journeys to and from set.
She revealed: “They’re really long days, you’re in at 6.30am and you’re not out until eight o’clock at night. So you need some good people around you and definitely an amazing crew as well.
“But the trip up to Cardiff twice a week taking my baby did kill me slightly. Not going to lie, it was hard work.”
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She admitted her hubby does little to help her learn her lines (Image: BBC)
The soap siren went on to add that despite having a husband who works in television, he rarely helps her learn her lines before shooting.
The actor chuckled: “Phil’s not helping, no way. I mean, I keep saying, ‘Can you help me with my lines please?’ and he’s like, ‘Kel, I’ve got too much on, please don’t’.
“Thankfully one of my friends is going to come over in the week and bash through lines with me.” The TV star went on to explain how different this new role is for her compared to her previous acting gigs.
She gushed: “This is very different. Obviously, there’s lots of jargon but I’ve really relished it to play somebody who’s got a proper professional job. It was my first job back after having a baby so it was good for me to be working again about using my brain.”
The actress went on to add that she is “channelling” Barbie in her new role with her bright outfits and positive attitude. Kellie added: “And I love my Barbie pink outfit that I work, that kind of Margot Robbie pink ensemble, that’s who I’m channelling.”
Speaking about her upcoming role in the Croydon pantomime, the doting mum excitedly revealed: “I’m thrilled to be channelling my inner Wicked Queen for Croydon’s panto this year.
“As a local girl, I can’t wait to be back in my old stomping ground again for Snow White.” Fans will have to stay tuned to see if the actress will return to Albert Sqaure in the near future.
Croydon’s pantomime production of Snow White returns to Fairfield Halls from December 13, 2024 to January 5 2025.