Former 'Skins' star April Pearson, who played Michelle in the hit drama has recently made her feature film debut in 'Tormented'. She spoke to RTÉ.ie about her new role.
Taragh Loughrey-Grant: What made you go for the role of Tasha in 'Tormented' and how did you get cast?
April Pearson: Going for 'Tormented' was really another audition, I liked the script and thought playing an evil b***h would be fun! I think they auditioned a lot of actors and the audition process took about two months.
TLG: What was it like to be on a film set for the first time?
AP: I think the experience of film-making was fairly similar to the TV world I'm more used to. It is like walking into a make-believe world that people have just created from some writing on a page. That may sound quite poetic, but when you read something in a script and then see it in the flesh it is very exciting.
The actual day to day though is not that glam, you sit around for hours waiting to shoot your scene and then when they finally get to it, its too late and the light has gone, or its started raining or any number of things. Because we shot 'Tormented' in only five weeks, the days were often long and very hectic.
TLG: Describe your 'Tormented' character.
AP: Well, Tasha is a manipulative b***h...she spends the entire film making everybody's life a misery and causing trouble. She is part of the 'in-crowd' and as a group they bully and torment their fellow students with very disgusting consequences.
TLG: Tell us about your 'Tormented' co-star and on-screen boyfriend, 'Stormbreaker's' Alex Pettyfer.
AP: Alex is like no-one I've ever met before; the boy has so much energy! He is like an excitable puppy, but very sweet and charming at the same time. He likes to cause mischief and practical jokes are his middle name!
TLG: You starred as Michelle in 'Skins' in 2008, what was that like?
AP: Working on 'Skins' was an amazing two years of my life; I learnt how to cope on a TV set and how to act in the working world. I owe the position I am in now to 'Skins' and I'm so happy and proud that it has done so well.
TLG: What did you think of their decision to return with a whole new cast for this season?
AP: It was definitely a brave one but I think it has worked. People would have switched off seeing the old gang in their various Universities or workplaces; it was definitely the right decision to keep the show young and fresh.
TLG: You worked with 'Slumdog Millionaire's' Dev Patel, what is he like?
AP: He is the most genuine guy you will ever meet. He can make you laugh even on a really bad day and his enthusiasm is infectious. He is a really great guy and I'm so proud of him.
TLG: He was trying out for his role in the film and rehearsing while working on 'Skins' - did he tell you anything about the film?
AP: At the time he was just auditioning but I remember him coming in one day and telling us that he was really worried about doing an Indian accent!
TLG: Are you still in touch with him?
AP: Yes he keeps in touch when he can; he is very busy in America.
TLG: Which actresses inspire you?
AP: Bernadette Peters, Nicole Kidman, Julie Walters and Judi Dench.
