National Television Award nominee Natalie Gumede talks to TV Times magazine about why playing Coronation Street’s fearsome Kirsty Soames is such a challenge... What did you know about the character of Kirsty before you auditioned for the part? “Phil Collinson, the producer, hinted that Kirsty was going to be a dark character, but I was under the impression she would be more of a troublemaker; I really had no idea. They obviously knew what they were looking for, but they weren’t letting us in on it, and that was probably for the best because it has been a really daunting, challenging task. If I’d known, I might’ve run screaming, thinking I couldn’t do it!” What did you think when you found out? “I was fearful of people’s reactions, because you hear stories of actors having a hard time in public; it’s the kind of thing you read about in a magazine. But I live in Manchester, where there’s huge support for the show, and the vast majority of people are just excited when they see a cast member in town or at the shops.” This week, Kirsty finds out Tyrone’s true motives for wanting to tie the knot, and the fallout isn’t pretty... “Obviously, there have been a few charades on Tyrone’s part and a lot of self-delusion on Kirsty’s, and the scenes bring the truth to light. There isn’t enough respect for one another to call it a heart to heart; it’s more a venting of spleens!” The storyline between Kirsty and Tyrone is one of the most talked-about in recent times. How hard is it to play Kirsty in a rage? “It doesn’t come naturally! I don’t know that temper and I’m very lucky not to. I just have to try and empathise with her, even though I in no way agree with or condone what she’s doing. So I just use a lot of breath, almost hyperventilating, to work myself up.” We know as Kirsty tries to take Ruby, she stumbles down the stairs and ends up in hospital, where she lies to the police that Tyrone has assaulted her. What happens next? “I still don’t know myself how the storyline is going to climax. Baddies tend to have a shelf life, and there are a number of different ways this could turn out. So I guess you’ve just got to watch this space...”
