Interview with Shalom Brune-Franklin
Interview with Shalom Brune-Franklin, who plays Private Maisie Richards in Our Girl.
Published: 28 September 2017
Maisie is rebellious, she loves to be the hero and bend the rules to save someone. She’s a helper. She does clash at first, like quite a few young kids in the Army.
What’s it been like joining the cast?
It’s been nuts. It’s always pretty daunting walking into something on its third season and I didn’t think I’d have it as easy as I did. It hasn’t really hit me yet, but everyone was so incredibly lovely and welcoming.
When did you audition?
I auditioned in late February and then March was the call backs. Then after that, we did a Bootcamp in April, I flew back to Australia to see my family before I flew off for the rest of the year and then we flew straight to Nepal. I didn’t have time to process it all! This shoot has taken up the whole year, I now have a very strange relationship with my phone!
Did you have to do any other preparation?
Bootcamp was very intense and we had to shoot out in Nepal before the elections. We had about four days to learn everything - the procedures, the terminology and to feel comfortable even holding a weapon. I got in so much trouble for calling it a gun and not calling it a weapon system!
How do you find working with the military advisers?
So good. I have a lot of banter with them, I probably annoy them as I always question them and ask things like, “does it matter that my beret is this way?!” - but it really does. It’s so regimented and because you’re coming from it from an acting point of view, you think that we’re just playing humans. But its serious and we have all these protocols to follow.
Tell us a bit about Maisie.
Maisie is one crazy lady. She’s rebellious, she loves to be the hero and bend the rules to save someone. She’s a helper. She does clash at first and we’ve been told this is like quite a few young kids in the Army. She’s outspoken, rebellious but good-natured.
What’s her relationship with Georgie?
Georgie doesn’t really like Maisie - she thinks she’s rude, she doesn’t care, she doesn’t have a lot of respect for authority. She does what she wants. Georgie always tries to put her in her place. But there are a few situations where they come to each other’s aid.
What about new character Rab?
He’s obsessed with Maisie and won’t leave her alone. He’s like a pest!
Would you be friends with Maisie in real life?
Probably. I feel like she was the girl in school was loud and lairy and the class clown, which definitely wasn’t me as I was much more shy, but I’d always have a giggle with those people.
What’s the experience been like?
Amazing. I’ve managed to go to so many different countries and it’s been a bit of a dream.
Character Biographies
Corporal Georgie Lane
Gutsy, passionate and unstoppable, Georgie is an army medic from Stockport who relishes the adrenaline that comes with the adventures of her work. Having completed a number of tours, she’s proven she has strength, courage and, above all, a big heart. Georgie’s decision to join the army has since led her to the front line in Afghanistan, where she met her first true love and heartbreak, Elvis. After another failed romance, Georgie has spent every waking moment devoting herself to her work - despite the fact that thoughts of what could have been are never far from her mind.
Elvis Harte
Elvis is a cheeky Londoner who has grown into a remarkable leader, joining the SAS selection after a number of tours with the army. Fearless, self-confident and cool under pressure, Elvis has worked across both covert and overt operations fighting for counter terrorism and drug operations in the Middle and Far East, Afghanistan, and, most recently, Syria. Having already broken Georgie’s heart, he’s determined to make amends.
Captain James
A charismatic leader and brilliant officer, Captain James is an army man to the core and well respected by the men who fight alongside him. The consummate professional, he had no problem keeping his private and his personal life separate - until he met army medic and now wife, Molly Dawes, while on tour in Afghanistan. However behind closed doors, Captain James battles many demons.
Private Maisie Richards
Brash and fearless, Maisie has always been front and centre of any group within which she finds herself. A free spirit, she often pokes fun at Georgie’s traditional ideas of love and romance. Maisie is from a typical working class background and has worked hard to become a skilled driver, but is eager to prove herself as a capable and fearless fighter. However, as confidence risks turning to recklessness, she soon finds herself pushed to her limits.
