Janine Mellor Interview

Actress Janine Mellor has kept us entertained as outgoing nurse Kelsey Phillips since she joined back in Series 19. Her character has been involved in a number of storylines including moonlighting as a prostitute after being made homeless and blackmailing manager Nathan when her turned out to be one of her clients. In her second interview with holby.tv, Janine kindly took time out to talk to us...

You've been in the show for over two years now, are you still enjoying your time on CASUALTY?
Yes, it's a great show to work on, the cast and crew are lovely, and Bristol is a great place to live.

Kelsey must be a great character to play, what have been your favourite storylines to have been involved in so far?
I've enjoyed lots of things, playing Kelsey. There have been lots of little stories that have been fun to work on. I've enjoyed filming the internet dating story - it's an antidote to the more serious stuff going on in the department.

Do you get much feedback from viewers regarding your character? What kind of fan mail do you get?
I get all sorts of feedback from viewers, whether it be a letter, or whilst I'm wandering round the supermarket. People are usually really nice, and fan mail has come from kids, through to soldiers serving in Iraq. It's always nice to hear what people think, and if I can I'll write back.

The New Year episode saw your character heavily involved following a shooting at a nightclub, what was this like to film?
It's always nice to do episodes where I get away from the hospital. I'm usually at the hospital, so it's fun to be somewhere else. It was the longest New Year's Eve I've ever had though, as it lasted nearly a week! I enjoy seeing different sides to Kelsey, and it was good to play something a bit more serious than her usual chirpy, cheeky side.

Your character hasn't had much luck in the romance department, would you like to see her find love? If so, is there anyone you think would be a suitable pairing for her?
I don't know if Kelsey would be very good in a relationship. I don't think there's anybody in the department that she's suited to at the moment. The only person she would have really fitted with was Woody, but that obviously wasn't meant to be. It would be nice to see her find somebody, but I can't see it happening soon.

Do you think having played a nurse has made you anymore health conscious or has increased your medical knowledge in any way?
I don't think so. I know the names for things, so theoretically I know how to do the procedures but I could never do it for real - I'd be too scared! I hate blood!

Kelsey enjoys having a laugh at work, which cast member makes you laugh most on Set?
We have a few jokers on set. Susan Cookson (Maggie) is always doing voices and making us all laugh. Jane Hazlegrove (Dixie) and Matt Bardock (Jeff) are a proper double act in real life, not just in the show. We all have a good laugh.

Do you get much chance to socialise with cast outside of work hours? Who are your closest friends on Set?
We try to make time to see each other at least once or twice a fortnight, away from work. We go for quite a lot of curries as a cast. I also see a lot of Georgia Taylor, we live in each other's pockets really. We even went on holiday together, with Peter who played TC. It helps that everyone gets on, and we all enjoy spending time together.

Away from the busy filming schedule, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Sleeping!

It's good to know that the cast get on in real life.It sounds quite a happy place to work.xx

i love janine meller, i think she does a great job as Kelsey.

Same, she needs another storyline though, she hasn't had a big one since that prostitute one? ? :hmm:

She's got a mini one with Alice about dating.

I thought she'd been in Casualty longer than two years.

I'm going off Kelsey bit by bit. I know sometimes she doesn't mean to be rude or nasty to people, but her costic comments to and about Ruth are getting bang out of order. She needs a reality check to show her that she needs to think before she goes wadding in with her size 6. Apart from that Janine plays the part well and its great to see that the cast get on really well.