Simone Lahbib

Plays
Helen Stewart

After the knife-edge ending of the last series Simone is very clear what her character is wanting from her relationship with lifer Nikki Wade (Mandana Jones).  “Helen is fighting very hard for Nikki but she also needs to conserve her moral stance within the job. She can’t be a hypocrite anymore. She can’t criticise say, Jim Fenner (Jack Ellis) for his actions if in essence she is also having a relationship with an inmate.  She has said to Nikki “I am still fighting for you, I still want a relationship with you but on the outside. So we have to fight for your release.  And then we can start a relationship” - but no more kissing in the potting sheds!

“It was so very hard for Helen to bring Nikki back.  The audience will be wondering what she is doing.  It’s hugely emotional – and you actually think that Helen is dumping Nikki… but that would be giving too much of the plot away!”

“There is a part of Helen that is quite secretive – there’s a mysterious side to her.  She is career minded but you know there is a tug of war going on inside.  You’re never 100% convinced that Helen loves Nikki in the way that she should. You are not just quite sure what is going on with her – and this series there are quite a few surprises in store...”

“I’m very into the internet and for me one of the most exciting things about Bad Girls has been the fan base that has come from the Bad Girls website, which can be found at www.badgirls.co.uk. Also on the dance club circuit there is even a pirate disc being played which is using Helen Stewart and Nikki Wade soundbites!”

Coming in for a third series Simone says “It’s been great actually and after winning two awards, it has just put a skip to everyone’s step.”

Simone has just had her first short film released called Long Haul  - and as to her marriage plans: “We still don’t have a date set! My Gran keeps saying “when are you doing it?  I have my hat ready, it’s been on top of my wardrobe for almost a year!”  So we are hoping to do that soon!” 

Simone comes from Stirling and is the eldest of five children. Her sister Nicole is also an actress and alongside her husband Gordon Brown (Take The High Road) runs a theatre company Sair Feet in Scotland. Her father is a camp boss on the oil rigs and Simone turned to an acting career when she was offered a film role in The Girl In The Picture, whilst training as a ballerina. 

Television credits include: The Young Person’s Guide To Being A Rock Star, Thief Takers and London Bridge. Her recent theatre credits include Playboy Of The Western World (Leicester Haymarket) and The Millennium Showcase at the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh.

Simone enjoys people and food - and “combining the two is pretty good for me especially if there is some alcohol thrown in for good measure!”