Ahead of some big Christmas and New Year's episodes, we catch up with Fair City star Aisling Kearns to find out what's in store for her character, the never-a-dull-moment Maria.
Comedy, budding romance, and arguably more ructions than the rest of Carrigstown combined - it's been a crazy couple of months since Maria arrived! What have you enjoyed most about playing her?
Crazy is right! Maria really has been on quite the journey so far! Her lighthearted, fun side has been a joy to play. But, saying that, I've also enjoyed getting to dig deeper into the character and finding out what her core values are and how other people so easily affect her - and why!
Do you see her and Anna as Carrigstown's answer to Thelma and Louise?
Ah, the two girls are definitely best of friends, and working with Colleen Keogh (Anna) has made this experience so wonderful. She is such a giving actor and offers up loads for me to react to. We've become such close friends outside of the characters too, which I think has helped us gel so well on screen.
Has the Fair City recognition factor kicked in when you're out and about?
Ah, a little! I've had incidents in my local grocery shop where I've been browsing the crisps selection and someone has given me (Maria) advice on what to do with what's happening in the show haha! I take it as a great compliment; Fair City is such a long-running soap and the majority of its viewers have been fans for years, so for them to accept and like Maria is a big deal for me!
What can you tell us about what's going to happen to Maria before the end of the year?
I won't say too much, but lots of decisions are made by Maria and those close to her that have a great impact on her - good and bad!
Do you think she knows in her heart of hearts that she should run a mile from Zak or are the bad boy goggles too difficult to take off?
Oh, those goggles are well and truly glued to her head, I believe! She wears her heart on her sleeve, even though she acts cool as a cucumber! Saying that, Maria's no eejit!
Do you think she needs to have more belief in herself and realise she's tougher than she gives herself credit for?
I think Maria believes she is tough and strong, but underneath it she's quite a sensitive girl, which, may I add, is absolutely fine! Other people's opinions have a great effect on her, even if she likes to think they don't bother her at all.
If you were at the keyboard and had to put one dream storyline together for Maria, what would it be?
Maybe that she starts her own business with Anna and runs the books - legitimately!
Fair City airs on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
