Soaps and their stars are often given an unfair rap for the quality of their acting.
And Scarlett Archer – Emmerdale’s Nell – has been the latest victim to fall prey to viewers’ criticism.
But, following the character’s twisted departure from the show this week, Scarlett has addressed her skills.
Fans had accused her emotional scenes of lacking credence but, as we discovered on Tuesday night, Nell has been lying about who she is, and the horrific life experiences she claimed to have been through, all along.
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After her final scenes aired, the actress explained: “I am acting as someone who is acting, so there have been scenes where Nell is meant to be upset and crying and we can kind of tell that they’re crocodile tears.
“It’s nice to have those little inklings that something isn’t quite right.”
While she knew that Nell – who claimed to be a recovering drug addict whose baby died – was a wrong un from the outset, some of her cast mates were as in the dark as viewers.
“From the first day of filming I did actually know what was going to happen and all the cast and the crew have found out along the way,” she explained.
“It’s been a nice surprise for everyone.”
Nice surprise? Hmmm, not so sure about nice. Nell’s final scenes were shocking.
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Jai, on finally discovering what his girlfriend was like – a fantasist – sent her away with a flea in her ear.
She was then seen knocking on the door of a grieving mum, whose daughter had died from a drugs overdose. Sounding familiar?
Nell said she’d known her and was now in need of help herself – before she introduced herself as Holly (who was of course Jai’s tragic drug-addict girlfriend).
Once in possession of the full facts of the character, viewers rushed to congratulate Scarlett on her performance.
Well deserved praise, too, we are still feeling a little haunted by the sociopath’s exit.