The Paradise: Katherine's need to conquer
Elaine Cassidy
Actress
I was instantly attracted to playing the heiress Katherine Glendenning in The Paradise because she is so different from me (thank God!).
I was in no way disappointed throughout the whole process. She is such a complex character, there is so much to explore. Just like an onion, layers and layers to peel off and delve into.
Katherine has great qualities but uses them all for the greater bad.
Katherine (Elaine Cassidy) faces different challenges on her return to The Paradise
She is a force to be reckoned with, and if she had used all this for a good cause she could have done great things.
Her and Moray are very similar. They are both ambitious, non conforming, rebels. Also, because he doesn’t roll over and play ball, this adds to Katherine’s need to conquer.
As Katherine has never had a healthy, balanced relationship with anyone (including her father), it means her partnership with Tom Weston is no different.
He is a challenge. They take turns on winning each battle. I think they are fairly evenly matched and use their own strengths to succeed.
The opening gambit? Katherine with her husband, Tom Weston (Ben Daniels)
You get to see another side to Katherine in series two.
She’s more vulnerable as she’s an injured animal still with the fresh wounds of being jilted by the man that she allowed herself to love and being struck with grief from the unexpected death of her father (the number one man in her life).
Katherine’s new step daughter Flora helps bring this more sensitive side to the forefront.
She’s still got her priorities in life out of balance, but Flora gives her a new sense of purpose to try to be a better person, and makes her more aware of her humane side and compassionate side (however small, but still there).
Katherine invites Flora (Edie Whitehead) to explore The Paradise
Filming took place in Durham on the huge Lambton Estate. It would take five to ten minutes to drive to the set from entering the gates. Both sets, the department store and Katherine’s house were in this location.
The Paradise set was built in Lambton Castle itself and Katherine’s house was set in Biddick Hall - a real grand house five minutes’ drive away.
The street was built from scratch, and to the naked eye looks like the real deal.
I enjoy the scenes we do in the house more than the ones in the store, only for the fact that there is a calmer atmosphere there.
That’s hugely down to the green room we have at the house, it’s a real sitting room, with comfy couches and a TV.
Edie the real house keeper pops her head in every now and then to see if we would like REAL coffee (in a cafetiere) and REAL tea (in a tea pot) and then serves it to us in bone china cups and saucers with some biscuits, heaven!
Now that’s the way to work, especially when you are playing a character like Katherine, ha!
Elaine Cassidy plays Katherine Glendenning in The Paradise.
The Paradise continues on Sunday, 27 October at 8pm on BBC One and BBC One HD. For further programme times please see the episode guide.
Comments made by writers on the BBC TV blog are their own opinions and not necessarily those of the BBC.
