Gwenda Vaughan

How would you describe Gwenda?

The first word that springs to mind to describe Gwenda is ‘desperate’, I don’t think Gwenda is desperate herself but she is in desperate circumstances. It might be ruthless to think that she wouldn’t find love. I don’t know how tough the times were in the 50s but from what I’ve seen, read and heard it was a different time for women so maybe this was her only chance and if it is her only chance then it’s not an ideal situation.

What is Gwenda’s relationship like with Rachel?

Rachel is the boss originally, a tough taskmaster and from a very privileged position and doesn’t identify with Gwenda, who is from a lower class than Rachel. Rachel looks down on Gwenda, is quite disdainful of her and maybe thinks she’s common but Gwenda doesn’t give a toss and says, “I’m going to have your husband and she does.” She gets her man but only through a series of quite severe events.

Does she genuinely have feelings for Leo?

She absolutely loves Leo. I think it is a genuine love affair between them because there are so many hurdles along the way. Gwenda is a complete human I couldn’t see a way in which this could work if she didn’t love the man. Certainly having all the stepchildren she is set to have (and none of them like her), she couldn’t enter into that relationship based on anything other than love.

What is her relationship like with Leo’s adopted children?

She definitely likes Tina and they’ve not had any difficult interactions; nor has she had any challenging interactions with Mickey so there’s no history there to worry about but Mary hates her. In that respect she has to deal with Mary but I don’t think it really matters to Gwenda – it’s just irksome. Hester is young and there’s indifference there as well, but there’s a jealousy from everyone because Leo’s such a magnanimous creature who has so much power and is the keeper of the love in the family. In that respect there’s a difficulty for anyone joining a family where there is an established way of doing things and children involved so it is particularly difficult for Gwenda.

What is Gwenda’s reaction to Arthur Calgary’s arrival?

When he first arrives she thinks he is there to help with the wedding, which is quite a funny scene. Then for Gwenda it becomes so much less about Arthur and what he is there to tell them than it is about her impending wedding which his presence can potentially ruin. It becomes very alarming and dangerous for her. He is an obstacle to be removed. He is also odd which jars with Gwenda who is very straight down the line in her life. She is a practical woman who sees Calgary as a very complicated character and she wants Leo to listen to her opinions of him.