As Fair City's Carol heads into a typically tumultuous festive season, we caught up with actress Aisling O'Neill to find out what's coming up, and what she hopes for Carol in the New Year.
It's been a tumultuous year for Carol and Christmas won't be any quieter. How would you describe what's ahead?
There's lots of drama this Christmas as Lucy Mallon pays Carol a visit. She's obviously been investigating Carol's insurance claim since the cab office got blown up so her arrival on Carol's doorstep is a bit of an odd one. Why is she here - and especially so close to Christmas?! But Lucy asks can she stay with Carol and confesses to killing Ritchie Lennon. Carol has tried to stay out of it throughout this whole situation and now fears she's being set up. With that kind of information, Carol is nervous as to what to do and dinner guests Sash and Nora try to talk sense into her.
Do you think the Ritchie Lennon saga and the fallout from it have made Carol realise that while she is as resilient as ever, she's more vulnerable than she was back in the day?
I don't think Carol is more vulnerable. I think she has learned a lot of life lessons along the way and is wiser than ever. She still has a very open heart. The reason she got involved in the whole Ritchie Lennon thing, that it sucked her in, was because of her life experiences - in that she didn't want Tommy to be on his own. She wanted to help him because she has experience in that world and she knew that he didn't. She didn't want to leave him in a situation that she had been in with her own child who she tragically lost. She wanted to help. I don't think she's more vulnerable than ever; I think she's a wise, shrewd customer.
Carol's temper comes out to play this Christmas. Do you enjoy indulging her fiery side the most?
I wouldn't say the most, but I do think it is a strong characteristic of hers. It only comes out to play now and again these years, now that she's matured. If she's crossed, it does come out to play. I think the viewers like to see Carol if she's really on the rampage, firing on all cylinders. But she doesn't lose her head by any means as quickly as she did when she was a younger woman. It's because she's much more reflective and mature now.
Sash, Tommy and Zak - and Fair City fans - all look to Carol as the lynchpin. What's your own take on why other characters and viewers connect with her so deeply?
I suppose because she's such a survivor. She's been through the mill and has never lost her spirit or humanity. She's an eternal optimist. She never let life beat her - even though it has at times - and when you think she's nearly beaten by the world, she picks herself back up. She manages to dust herself off and just show massive resilience and grit and I think people are attracted to that. The viewers have followed Carol through so many stories and the arcs of her life. They've seen that massive vulnerability where she could have gone down. There've been so many times where she could have thrown the towel in - and she has done at times - but she's gotten up again. I think they like to see that she rose above it all.
Away from Carol's storylines this year, what ones have you loved watching play out?
I've really enjoyed watching so many of them play out. I really like watching Lucy. I just love watching Lorna [Quinn], the actor [who plays Lucy]. She is really good. She's amazing to watch. She has this face of an angel and there's all this other stuff going on. I'm just really drawn to watching her and watching her and Martina [Stanley, who plays Dolores] in scenes together. I have a good laugh with Lorna on set - I call her Lucy Locket. I'm always having a joke with her because I think Lucy is just so scary. I think she is the one person that really does unnerve Carol. Carol is used to heavy people and all that kind of thing but there's something about her that's a different kind of danger that Carol finds unnerving. I've enjoyed having scenes with Lorna. It was a different kind of danger, but we had great fun on set.
What are your hopes for Carol next year? Have you some idea already of what's going to happen?
No, I don't actually, but I've no doubt that she'll be finding out more about herself, as she always does. When life comes up against her, Carol always rises to the occasion. But at the end of the day, Carol needs to properly fall in love again. A proper whirlwind with the right person at the right time.
