Perdita
22-06-2015, 04:42
Hollyoaks introduces Lisa Loveday to the village next week - and Digital Spy can today exclusively reveal who will be playing the part.
Actress Kiza Deen has been cast in the role of Lisa, who is the missing daughter of Louis and Simone. After 14 years away from her family's lives, Lisa makes a dramatic reappearance by breaking into their home and revealing why she disappeared as a schoolgirl.
Digital Spy recently chatted to Kiza to hear all the gossip on her Hollyoaks arrival and what fans can expect from Lisa.
http://i1.cdnds.net/15/25/618x554/soaps-hollyoaks-39393939.jpg
Kiza Deen as Lisa Loveday in Hollyoaks
© Lime Pictures
Kiza Deen as Lisa Loveday
How does it feel to have joined the cast?
"It's been a bit surreal! I honestly didn't think I would get the part. I grew up watching the show, so I still feel a bit starstruck when I see the cast in the corridors and the dressing rooms, but they've all been lovely.
"I haven't worked with everybody in the cast yet, but I can't sing the praises of my on-screen family enough. They've really helped me to get settled in Liverpool. They've also shown me the ropes, as my background is mainly theatre and this is my first television gig since drama school. It's been awesome and they've been wonderful to work with."
How did the role come about?
"I just got a call from my agent to say that I'd got a Hollyoaks audition. I was excited, because a television job is what I'd been desperately wanting. I then met the casting director in London, but I thought that I probably wouldn't get it because there were so many other girls there.
"A week later, my agent told me that they were interested, so I came up to Liverpool for a second audition. That made me want it even more and got me even more fired up. I went back to London, but I got another call and heard that the producers now wanted to see me. With every job you try to stay really open-minded, but that's when I started to feel that it could actually happen.
"I think I started caring about it too much, because I literally gave myself a migraine going home on the train after the last audition! (Laughs) It was easy to start with and then it got nerve-wracking towards the end because I knew there was a chance I might get it."
Did part of that audition process involve chemistry tests with the other Lovedays?
"Yeah, when I was first in Liverpool, they asked me to perform with my on-screen mother and brother. They were so lovely and literally calmed me down! We did a scene with a director there, so that was a screen test to see how I looked on screen and how I gelled with my family. I then repeated that in front of the producer for the third audition."
http://i2.cdnds.net/15/09/618x411/loveday-03.jpg
The Loveday family in Hollyoaks
© Lime Pictures
Zack, Simone and Louis Loveday
How did you feel about being thrown straight into such a big storyline?
"I didn't know at first where this girl was going, but when we had a meeting and I found out all about her background, I realised that it was really juicy. It's a dream story to play, because Lisa has so many colours and layers to her. It's really exciting. Even today, I received more scripts and my storyline is getting heavier and heavier. It's really enjoyable to read and really fun."
We've only recently found out about Lisa, so has there been a lot of secrecy involved?
"Yes - even with my friends and family! When I got the job, my agent told me: 'You cannot tell anybody. Stay off Twitter and stay off Instagram!' When you get a new job you obviously want to tell everybody, but I haven't been able to do that!
"I've known since April and my on-screen family have known about Lisa since they signed up for the show, which was about six months earlier. It's been a huge secret but I can't wait to finally tweet about it!"
What was it like to film Lisa's dramatic entrance?
"It was great! Lisa breaks into the Lovedays' home and that's when you first see her. The scenes were really fun to film. We rehearsed it first and part of the scene is Lisa jumping over a couch because the Lovedays have caught her in their house.
"I remember walking through the scene in the rehearsal and I was a bit of an eager beaver, so I really went for it with the physical stuff. The director said, 'Kiza, you do know that was a walk-through?!' I said, 'This is my first time on TV, I'm just overexcited!' I realised I had to save it for the take, but Lisa is definitely coming in with full guns blazing."
http://i1.cdnds.net/15/25/618x858/soaps-hollyoaks-393887575.jpg
First look at Lisa back with her family
© Lime Pictures
First look at Lisa back with her family
Where does Lisa say she's been for all this time?
"Simone used to work as a lawyer and was very committed with her job. When Lisa was little, Simone had to take a quick conference call for 10 minutes and was late picking her up from primary school. During that time, another lady who was so, so lovely approached Lisa and told her that she had come to collect her. She gave her some sweets and was really approachable - nothing seemed scary or dodgy about her at all.
"Lisa went off with this lady thinking that she would see her parents later on, but she later told Lisa that her family had been in a terrible car accident and had died. That's what she was told and believed growing up. She didn't know any different until she was older and saw news reports about what had happened."
What kind of reaction does Lisa get from Louis and Simone?
"In the past, Louis has been in the firing line over Lisa's disappearance. He's been accused of all sorts, so I think he breathes a huge sigh of relief when he can let the world know that he's an innocent man. He's delighted that Lisa is back and that their father-daughter relationship can be resumed. He thinks Christmas has come early for him.
"Simone's personality is quite different. Because of her past background as a lawyer, she's always trying to suss people out and read things. Simone just thinks it's too good to be true. She's been hurting for so many years and never forgot about Lisa, so she thinks that Lisa has just appeared too easily for her. Simone holds back, while Louis seems quite happy to receive her."
As Zack has no memories of Lisa, is it strange for him to see her back?
"It isn't too weird for him, as I think Zack is finally relieved and happy to have an older sister around. He's glad not to be the single child anymore. Over the years with his mum and dad, he's probably seen the missing place at the dinner table and something was always missing. He's really happy that they can be a full family now and everything can be good."
Does Lisa form any friendships in the village, or does she stick with her family for now?
"For now Lisa is mainly with her family, but she has got a bit of a past which you might see come and chase her up. I've only just got this script, but I've also read a new friendship that she makes which is quite interesting. So there are friendships forming, but in the early episodes you'll see her focusing on the family. But her past is definitely coming back to haunt her..."
Have you made friends with the other cast?
"Definitely. I'm currently looking for a place to stay in Liverpool, so they've all been chipping in with ideas of where I could go. There's also a lot of banter in our green room and in the canteen. That's when you get to see the real characters and what's funny is that the most serious people you see on screen are the funniest in real life and so silly!
"They're all lovely and I'm really excited to work with a lot of them. It's nice to read a script and see that you're going to be in a scene with someone unexpected."
What are your plans for when your first episode goes out?
"I'm not sure yet, as Lisa storms in right towards the end of an episode, then in the episode afterwards you see a bit more of her. My boyfriend knows about it, so his mum and my mum have both been asking when I'm coming on but I've just not been telling people the exact date!
"I'll probably text them on the day and tell them to watch Hollyoaks that night, then put my phone on silent because I'll be cringing while I watch it - probably with my boyfriend, some popcorn and a glass of wine!"
Actress Kiza Deen has been cast in the role of Lisa, who is the missing daughter of Louis and Simone. After 14 years away from her family's lives, Lisa makes a dramatic reappearance by breaking into their home and revealing why she disappeared as a schoolgirl.
Digital Spy recently chatted to Kiza to hear all the gossip on her Hollyoaks arrival and what fans can expect from Lisa.
http://i1.cdnds.net/15/25/618x554/soaps-hollyoaks-39393939.jpg
Kiza Deen as Lisa Loveday in Hollyoaks
© Lime Pictures
Kiza Deen as Lisa Loveday
How does it feel to have joined the cast?
"It's been a bit surreal! I honestly didn't think I would get the part. I grew up watching the show, so I still feel a bit starstruck when I see the cast in the corridors and the dressing rooms, but they've all been lovely.
"I haven't worked with everybody in the cast yet, but I can't sing the praises of my on-screen family enough. They've really helped me to get settled in Liverpool. They've also shown me the ropes, as my background is mainly theatre and this is my first television gig since drama school. It's been awesome and they've been wonderful to work with."
How did the role come about?
"I just got a call from my agent to say that I'd got a Hollyoaks audition. I was excited, because a television job is what I'd been desperately wanting. I then met the casting director in London, but I thought that I probably wouldn't get it because there were so many other girls there.
"A week later, my agent told me that they were interested, so I came up to Liverpool for a second audition. That made me want it even more and got me even more fired up. I went back to London, but I got another call and heard that the producers now wanted to see me. With every job you try to stay really open-minded, but that's when I started to feel that it could actually happen.
"I think I started caring about it too much, because I literally gave myself a migraine going home on the train after the last audition! (Laughs) It was easy to start with and then it got nerve-wracking towards the end because I knew there was a chance I might get it."
Did part of that audition process involve chemistry tests with the other Lovedays?
"Yeah, when I was first in Liverpool, they asked me to perform with my on-screen mother and brother. They were so lovely and literally calmed me down! We did a scene with a director there, so that was a screen test to see how I looked on screen and how I gelled with my family. I then repeated that in front of the producer for the third audition."
http://i2.cdnds.net/15/09/618x411/loveday-03.jpg
The Loveday family in Hollyoaks
© Lime Pictures
Zack, Simone and Louis Loveday
How did you feel about being thrown straight into such a big storyline?
"I didn't know at first where this girl was going, but when we had a meeting and I found out all about her background, I realised that it was really juicy. It's a dream story to play, because Lisa has so many colours and layers to her. It's really exciting. Even today, I received more scripts and my storyline is getting heavier and heavier. It's really enjoyable to read and really fun."
We've only recently found out about Lisa, so has there been a lot of secrecy involved?
"Yes - even with my friends and family! When I got the job, my agent told me: 'You cannot tell anybody. Stay off Twitter and stay off Instagram!' When you get a new job you obviously want to tell everybody, but I haven't been able to do that!
"I've known since April and my on-screen family have known about Lisa since they signed up for the show, which was about six months earlier. It's been a huge secret but I can't wait to finally tweet about it!"
What was it like to film Lisa's dramatic entrance?
"It was great! Lisa breaks into the Lovedays' home and that's when you first see her. The scenes were really fun to film. We rehearsed it first and part of the scene is Lisa jumping over a couch because the Lovedays have caught her in their house.
"I remember walking through the scene in the rehearsal and I was a bit of an eager beaver, so I really went for it with the physical stuff. The director said, 'Kiza, you do know that was a walk-through?!' I said, 'This is my first time on TV, I'm just overexcited!' I realised I had to save it for the take, but Lisa is definitely coming in with full guns blazing."
http://i1.cdnds.net/15/25/618x858/soaps-hollyoaks-393887575.jpg
First look at Lisa back with her family
© Lime Pictures
First look at Lisa back with her family
Where does Lisa say she's been for all this time?
"Simone used to work as a lawyer and was very committed with her job. When Lisa was little, Simone had to take a quick conference call for 10 minutes and was late picking her up from primary school. During that time, another lady who was so, so lovely approached Lisa and told her that she had come to collect her. She gave her some sweets and was really approachable - nothing seemed scary or dodgy about her at all.
"Lisa went off with this lady thinking that she would see her parents later on, but she later told Lisa that her family had been in a terrible car accident and had died. That's what she was told and believed growing up. She didn't know any different until she was older and saw news reports about what had happened."
What kind of reaction does Lisa get from Louis and Simone?
"In the past, Louis has been in the firing line over Lisa's disappearance. He's been accused of all sorts, so I think he breathes a huge sigh of relief when he can let the world know that he's an innocent man. He's delighted that Lisa is back and that their father-daughter relationship can be resumed. He thinks Christmas has come early for him.
"Simone's personality is quite different. Because of her past background as a lawyer, she's always trying to suss people out and read things. Simone just thinks it's too good to be true. She's been hurting for so many years and never forgot about Lisa, so she thinks that Lisa has just appeared too easily for her. Simone holds back, while Louis seems quite happy to receive her."
As Zack has no memories of Lisa, is it strange for him to see her back?
"It isn't too weird for him, as I think Zack is finally relieved and happy to have an older sister around. He's glad not to be the single child anymore. Over the years with his mum and dad, he's probably seen the missing place at the dinner table and something was always missing. He's really happy that they can be a full family now and everything can be good."
Does Lisa form any friendships in the village, or does she stick with her family for now?
"For now Lisa is mainly with her family, but she has got a bit of a past which you might see come and chase her up. I've only just got this script, but I've also read a new friendship that she makes which is quite interesting. So there are friendships forming, but in the early episodes you'll see her focusing on the family. But her past is definitely coming back to haunt her..."
Have you made friends with the other cast?
"Definitely. I'm currently looking for a place to stay in Liverpool, so they've all been chipping in with ideas of where I could go. There's also a lot of banter in our green room and in the canteen. That's when you get to see the real characters and what's funny is that the most serious people you see on screen are the funniest in real life and so silly!
"They're all lovely and I'm really excited to work with a lot of them. It's nice to read a script and see that you're going to be in a scene with someone unexpected."
What are your plans for when your first episode goes out?
"I'm not sure yet, as Lisa storms in right towards the end of an episode, then in the episode afterwards you see a bit more of her. My boyfriend knows about it, so his mum and my mum have both been asking when I'm coming on but I've just not been telling people the exact date!
"I'll probably text them on the day and tell them to watch Hollyoaks that night, then put my phone on silent because I'll be cringing while I watch it - probably with my boyfriend, some popcorn and a glass of wine!"