HOW IS YOUR CHARACTER DEVELOPING THIS SERIES?
This series she gets nastier! She’s at home in Larkhall, she’s settled in. She’s become almost the top dog, which she set out to do. There’s only Linda Henry’s character Yvonne to overcome. She’s meaner than ever. But, she definitely gets her comeuppance, that’s for sure. There’s a lot of juicy stuff coming up in this series.

WHAT’S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN BAD GIRLS?
Being such a bitch, day in and day out. Because it’s so against type…

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
There’s nothing nice about Maxine Purvis, at all! She wouldn’t be my friend! It’s sad in a way I guess because she’s the way she is because she’s never had any love or support, and that’s her way of dealing with life, by gaining respect by being so nasty and being top dog. She needs that kind of attention. She does have a vulnerability. Her parents were in prison while she was growing up, they’re hardened criminals. I think she’s just searching. That’s something that I do feel for her.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER?
She’s just so… evil. She doesn’t have any regard for anybody’s feelings. She has no scruples. She’s absolutely heartless, even to her own sister, Tina. She beat up her up in the last series.

DO YOU LIKE THE COSTUMES THAT YOUR CHARACTER WEARS? WOULD YOU WEAR THEM OUT?
I wouldn’t wear them as Kerry, but as soon as I put them on I’m instantly transformed into Maxi. She’s very aware of her sexuality and she likes to feel sexy and look good. But she never shows her legs. That wasn’t my choice - maybe it’s because she’s always ready for a fight.

HOW DO PEOPLE RE-ACT TO YOU ON THE STREET?
I’m not recognised on the street. Whenever I mention Bad Girls people say ‘I love that show’ and I say ‘Err… I’m in it…’ I tell them I play Maxi and they say ‘God, you’re nothing like her!’ A couple of times people have said they think they recognise me from the telly and then I get a bit nervous because poor Victoria who plays my sister Tina gets abuse from people on my behalf. They say ‘Why do you stand for it? Your sister’s a bitch! Why don’t you hit her back?’ Victoria has to say ‘Err… it’s not actually real, you know…’

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR CHARACTER? ANY TRAITS THAT YOU SHARE?
I look like her. That’s it. Or actually I obviously don’t, since nobody recognises me! The one thing about her is that maybe like her I’m quite headstrong and ambitious, but otherwise, no. I’m soft. I wouldn’t say boo to a goose…

WHAT SCENE HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED OR HATED FILMING SO FAR?
I think the fight with Linda Henry was good fun. My leg was black and blue the next day from hitting a table. You don’t realise it at the time because the adrenaline’s flowing but I woke up the next day and the side of my thigh was just covered in bruises.

The one I hated was when I had to beat Victoria with soap in a sock. That was horrible. It made me cry. As soon as I’d finished I burst into tears. It was so real. When you’re acting you have to get pumped up. Of course it wasn’t really soap in the sock, it was a bit of foam, but the aggression that we had to beat her with, and she was writhing around crying in pain. It really upset me to think that bullying like that really does go on. I’m not at all a violent person.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEW EXTERIOR?
I think it’s great. They’ve done a really good job. It’s not as big as I thought, but then we’ve been spoilt with the real thing.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREETIME?
I play the piano and the guitar. I work out. And I hang with my boyfriend as much as I can. I go to the theatre a lot, to the movies, go out to dinner a lot with friends. And I see my family.

My boyfriend’s Jamie Bamber, who’s also an actor. He’s the new heart-throb doctor in Peak Practice. I met him on the set of a film we shot last summer called The Devil’s Tattoo.

HOW WOULD YOU GET ON WITH YOUR CHARACTER IF YOU MET THEM IN REAL LIFE?
I think I’d be frightened to death. But at the same time I’d want to try and crack that tough exterior, to see where the problems lie. To reach out to her, and show some love, and show her that it’s not all about being top dog and being respected for being something that actually isn’t appealing to people.

WHAT’S THE WORST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
Kicked a table at a teacher when I was at school, and got suspended for it. I had a tantrum, and lost my temper. It was actually unintentional – I kicked out in a temper, but caught the leg of the table which went flying and hit her, sending her flying on to her back. They wouldn’t have me back until my parents went to see them. I was quite naughty at school, actually.