Interview with Esther Smith

We last saw Rachel at the end of the Christmas special – how’s everything changed for her since then?

A lot has changed for Rachel since we last saw her.  I think she’s been left pretty stagnant from Dale’s disappearance where she was left pretty heartbroken and I think she’s had a period of trying to figure that out within herself. 

I think she realised at the end of the Christmas special she loved him and wanted to be with him but then he left. It’s not until he comes back in this series it gives her a kick up the backside and propels her into moving on to the next part of her life, which shakes her up and gives her a bit more of a focus on what she wants to do with her life in terms of her career and personal life.

How would you characterise her relationship with Dale in this series?

It’s a tricky one because she’s been really clear with him that she wants something more but he’s been very resistant so the tables have slightly turned, which is so frustrating for her and they are maintaining a very kind of friendly level. But for Rachel – she definitely wants to move forward, but will it?

Has there been a particular scene that you’ve found enjoyable?

I was trying to think because we’ve crammed so much in and there have been so many amazing things that happen in this series! I think my favourite is the second episode and literally anything and everything in that we filmed! I don’t want to give too much away but there are so many ridiculous things that happen. It’s also been really interesting working with a baby on this series as well because you can’t control a baby, so if they do a funny face or make a funny noise or cry, then you can’t control that and that’s been quite funny. Maybe not to everyone else but I’ve found it endlessly hilarious!

Do you feel more at home now or different now that you’re on your second series of filming?

Yeah. The first series for me was obviously series two, I was obviously really nervous coming in but everyone made me feel really welcome, which was lovely as it was such a daunting task. What also really helped with that was having other new people in that series such as Taylor and Matt Lacey (Ben), so this series we feel like we’re not the newbies anymore and it just feels a lot more settled and lovely.