Perdita
02-04-2013, 14:56
Jing Lusi has admitted that researching her character's health issues was an emotional experience.
The actress's alter ego Tara Lo has a brain tumour, which has recently threatened her medical career as her symptoms are getting worse.
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine today (April 2), Lusi revealed that she thoroughly researched Tara's condition and the seizures she suffers as a result of the tumour.
Lusi explained: "I read a lot of stuff online. The more I read, it was very upsetting. This for me, I can step away from it, but for some people this is real.
"When people can't actually control their physical movements and they're not in control of that, that's what's horrible to know - that your brain is active and you're so willing your body to do one thing, but it's not listening."
Teasing tonight's episode - which reveals whether Tara will have surgery - she continued: "We are at the stage where last week we saw that her fits and her symptoms were getting so far that she needed to make a decision. Today we see her making that decision."
With a challenging storyline to deal with, Lusi added that Holby's cast and crew make life very easy with a friendly atmosphere on set.
She said: "Holby was my first TV show and I was just so scared, because it's so established and when you watch it, everyone looks so serious.
"The first day I got there, I was so scared in my dressing room, waiting for the countdown to be walked onto set. But as soon as I arrived, everyone's so friendly and charismatic. You become a family member from the word go."
Holby City continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One.
The actress's alter ego Tara Lo has a brain tumour, which has recently threatened her medical career as her symptoms are getting worse.
Speaking on ITV's Lorraine today (April 2), Lusi revealed that she thoroughly researched Tara's condition and the seizures she suffers as a result of the tumour.
Lusi explained: "I read a lot of stuff online. The more I read, it was very upsetting. This for me, I can step away from it, but for some people this is real.
"When people can't actually control their physical movements and they're not in control of that, that's what's horrible to know - that your brain is active and you're so willing your body to do one thing, but it's not listening."
Teasing tonight's episode - which reveals whether Tara will have surgery - she continued: "We are at the stage where last week we saw that her fits and her symptoms were getting so far that she needed to make a decision. Today we see her making that decision."
With a challenging storyline to deal with, Lusi added that Holby's cast and crew make life very easy with a friendly atmosphere on set.
She said: "Holby was my first TV show and I was just so scared, because it's so established and when you watch it, everyone looks so serious.
"The first day I got there, I was so scared in my dressing room, waiting for the countdown to be walked onto set. But as soon as I arrived, everyone's so friendly and charismatic. You become a family member from the word go."
Holby City continues tonight at 8pm on BBC One.