INTERVIEW WITH OLIVIA FRANCES BROWN AS SHE TALKS ABOUT JOINING CORONATION STREET DURING CORRIEDALE

Since the moment Olivia Frances Brown appeared on our screens during the Coronation Street and Emmerdale crossover, Corriedale back on Monday 5th January, Jodie has left us viewers guessing, and here Olivia speaks about her journey to Coronation Street and her character alongside what fans can expect.

Talking about settling into life on the cobbles, Olivia commented “I'm loving it. It's great - everybody is so lovely, like a big family. People have welcomed me so well and made me feel like I've been here forever. It's a really, really nice place to work.” Before going on to talk about landing the part “I was just at home eating breakfast and watching TV! I missed the call from my agent, and when I tried to call back, he was in a meeting. I had to wait on edge, but eventually, his assistant told me it was good news. I was just so happy.”

When asked about Corriedale, and what joining during such a special episode was like, as Olivia spoke about her experience stating “It was strange and definitely unique. I was the mystery character and had to keep my lips sealed! It was a bit of a whirlwind because I was working with teams from both Emmerdale and Corrie, so I didn't really get a feel for the actual building here for a while.”

What were you told about Jodie at the very start, Olivia added “I was told she had a lot of baggage and history. She's definitely troubled and traumatised by her past.” Before going on to say about the darker edge of Jodie and whether she is a "bad" person, Olivia continued “She's deeply troubled, but she isn't a bad person... She has deep-rooted abandonment issues - I'd say she's a product of what people have put her through.”

Photo Credit: ITV/ Coronation Street

With a mysterious locket that coming into play, can you tease anything about that? “I don't want to say too much but Jodie claims she found it in a charity shop, but that's a lie to protect herself…”

Talking about the resentment between Jodie and Shona, Olivia said “Total resentment. Jodie feels Shona abandoned her and broke a promise to take her with her to a better life. Seeing Shona with the house, the husband, and the family - everything Jodie ever dreamt of is hard for her. She blames Shona for the fact that she doesn't have those things too.”

Having mentioned that you are enjoying playing the complex nature of the role. How does it feel to play someone with so many layers, Olivia added “It's so much more fun than playing a one-dimensional character. Jodie has so many layers and different sides to her personality. It makes the work exciting because I never know what I'm going to read when I open a new script!”

Coronation Street airs Monday - Friday at 8.30pm on ITV1.

With episode available ITVX and YouTube from 7am Monday to Friday.