Stephanie Beacham (Casualty) interview

Casualty fans are in for a treat in April when the uber-glamorous Stephanie Beacham (The Colbys, Celebrity Big Brother) guest stars in the hospital drama as Monica, a fiercely independent university professor brought into the Emergency Department when she sustains an electric shock.

> Find out more Casualty spoilers for April.


What was it like ditching the make-up and high heels to play less–than-glamorous, man-hater Monica?

"Playing Monica was one of the most un-vain roles I’ve ever done, and lying flat on a hospital stretcher is not the best look, But it’s really fun – I can’t tell you how much I enjoy doing any role that doesn’t contain high-heeled shoes!

"What attracted me to Monica was her stubbornness and hard-headedness and this relationship she has with her long-time admirer, Jerry. But unfortunately she’s a very difficult woman and she doesn’t appreciate this relationship she has until it’s too late.

"She was a good character in that she was very dry and I liked her but she had a very difficult manner – not the most pleasant of creatures! But you always have an underbelly with these characters, there’s always something else there as well and Monica was very nicely written."

Did you enjoy filming in Bristol?

"It was lovely to come to Bristol to do Casualty. Phoebe, my daughter, has acted in the show and she lives in Bristol so I was able to see my young grandson and take him swimming. And any time I can be with him is my joy.

"You always bump into cast and crew members who you haven’t see for a while but I met Michael Maloney [currently playing the manipulative Howard Fairfax in the show] at Casualty, who’s a great friend, and I was delighted to see him. He lived in my house many years ago and we had a lovely catch up!"

Now you're back in sunny LA, would you consider making the trip to Bristol and appearing in Casualty again in the future?

"It was great fun and everybody is delightful in Bristol. I think I should turn up again as a consultant or one of those people from Holby’s hospital trust that go round interfering in everybody’s lives - I would love doing that!"


'Love Of A Good Man' airs on BBC One on Saturday 3rd April 2010.