marlon and donna

Kate Oates has spoken about the aftermath of Donna Windsor's death, promising emotional times ahead in the village as her tragic demise impacts on a number of characters.

Donna's exit airs on screen in Thursday night's double bill (August 14), and although the exact circumstances are being kept tightly under wraps, her final scenes will see the popular character lose her life.

Viewers have already seen Donna receive the devastating news that she only has weeks left to live as she is terminally ill, but there are surprising twists and turns ahead in her final two episodes - including a big stunt scene.

Speaking about the drama to come in the aftermath, Oates explained: "One of the interesting things when a character like Donna dies is that because she's been in the show for so long, you've got all of those links with characters that are really well-established.

"You'll see stellar performances from people like Tony Audenshaw who plays Bob, along with others who worked with Verity for such a long time. When you're doing a death and funeral for a character who has so many links in the village, it really does enrich it - so hopefully that will come across."

As well as exploring how Donna's death affects her lover Ross Barton (Michael Parr) and ex-husband Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnock), there are tragic scenes ahead as her young daughter April has to adjust to life without her mum.

Oates added: "We just absolutely adore Amelia who plays April. You can't help but be blown away by that little girl. She even improvises in some of her scenes and she's fantastic.

"Because Amelia can run with anything, we wanted to work on characterisation and give her a proper standout personality. When April grieves for her mum, some of the bubblier sides of her personality are suppressed slightly and that's part of her journey. But it's a real treat to have a 6-year-old child you can give a journey to, because that doesn't happen very often."

Meanwhile, Verity Rushworth - who plays Donna - admitted that she was nervous when she heard that her final episodes would involve stunt work.

She laughed: "I'm scared of everything! I've never been on a rollercoaster, I've never had any piercings or anything like that. I play things very safe in life! I was absolutely petrified."

.

hero exit for donna great episode

Fantastic ep and so tragic. Poor ross

It's been an emotional few months on screen for Emmerdale star Mark Charnock as he has been at the centre of the soap's gripping Donna Windsor storyline.

The show's long-serving cast member is also up for the Best Actor prize at this year's Inside Soap Awards, which are now reaching the final days of voting.

Digital Spy recently caught up with Mark for a chat about the awards, the Donna storyline and what's ahead for his character Marlon Dingle as his wedding day arrives next week.

How does it feel to be up for Best Actor?
"It's always very nice to be nominated but I feel that it's really recognition for our recent storyline, which was really well-told. It's been quite high-profile and it was brilliant to have Verity Rushworth back in the show as Donna, as well as being able to work with Mike Parr who plays Ross.

"There's a real team mentality here at Emmerdale so I think any recognition is the result of everyone's hard work put together, but it's lovely to be nominated."

Emmerdale won Best Soap last year at these awards, so do you think it can do the same again this time around?
"I think the show has got every chance. Last year the win came after the siege storyline and the amazing work that Dominic Power, Lucy Pargeter and Charley Webb had done in the run-up to that. Now we're coming off the back of several very big storylines, so there's no reason why we can't do it again because it's been a strong year.

"It's not just the Donna storyline, as there's been strong work all round. The other story that I think the show has told brilliantly this year is Val's HIV. I think that's been extraordinarily well-acted and told very carefully.

"There have been so many highlights all round, though - the comedy with Dan and Kerry's wedding was fantastic and I've loved watching Joe Gill's work on Finn's storyline. The show is a pleasure to watch at the minute."

Is there anyone you're rooting for in particular?
"I think all of the Emmerdale actors in each of the categories have been absolutely superb, but having worked so closely with Verity, Mike and Amelia Flanagan who plays April, I feel they really deserve their nominations. Working with them directly means I have had the privilege of witnessing their talent day in day out.

"It's funny with Mike as when he first came into the show I didn't think our characters would have much to do with each other, but when Ross carjacked Laurel, it resulted in us having a storyline together. I get on really well with Mike and after seeing the responses to the Donna story, I think the audience have really fallen for Ross."

The past 12 months have seen Emmerdale and Hollyoaks win Best Soap prizes for the first time. Has it come as a surprise to see the underdogs finally getting recognition?
"I think the only surprise is that it hasn't happened before and perhaps should have done for both shows. As a viewer of our show and Hollyoaks as well, it wasn't a surprise to me because both are quality programmes and really good to watch. That's not to say that Corrie, EastEnders and Doctors aren't too, it's just that down the years maybe there should have been more recognition for those shows. We're thrilled to bits about it."

What do you make of the reaction to the Donna storyline?
"It's been better than I could ever have imagined. Once I found out the arc of the storyline and the twists that it would take, I knew that there'd be a good response to it, but I think we've all still been slightly bowled over by how much people have engaged with it.

"People have related to it in different ways, but it's been a lovely, overwhelming reaction. Our audience are a very supportive crowd anyway, but they've really been fantastic over this past six months by championing the storyline on Twitter and other social networks. They've really embraced it and that genuinely means a lot to the actors, the production team and everyone else because it means we're hopefully getting it right."

Did you always know exactly how Donna would die?
"We didn't know early on. When Verity first came back, I knew that Donna was going to be ill, but I didn't know the exact outcome of the storyline and I don't think Verity knew either. We didn't know the twists it would take until later on. As you can imagine, once they told us about the twists it was going to take and we got those scripts, we were racing through them when we were reading them and there was smoke coming off the pages!

"We couldn't believe it and the story was like an emotional thriller. Obviously I wasn't in the scenes where Donna came off the roof, but when I was reading them I was crying my eyes out. The story was superbly constructed and so exciting to be part of.

"It was the same with the siege last year and what's exciting is that no matter how long you've been in the show, you never lose that buzz of being involved in something that you know is really good."

After so many years of experience, is it still challenging to get an emotional storyline?
"Yes it is, and I think that goes for all of the people who've been in the show for a while. You care so much about the work and wanting to get it right. It doesn't matter how long you've been in the cast - everyone still worries about getting it right. You watch the show and wonder, 'Is this scene going to be as good as when I first read it?' I personally take it home with me and desperately try to get it right, so you're still learning all the time.

"Me and Dominic Brunt, who plays Paddy, often say that at no point during our time in the show have we ever taken anything for granted or assumed anything. You still try hard after all these years to do your best. That's what's lovely about the job - it keeps you on your toes because your character is evolving all the time. There's not many other acting jobs where you can say that."

Marlon and Laurel's wedding day arrives next week, but it seems their relationship is in trouble… What would you say their main issues are?
"I think their main issue is that Marlon's grief has become a massive stumbling block for their relationship. That's not to do with any romantic feelings for Donna - instead it's to do with Marlon's absolute fear and terror of getting it wrong with April.

"Marlon has only known April for five months but, along with Leo, she's become his whole world. He's got to create a family environment that April feels comfortable in, which is a massive responsibility.

"The April issue has become the be all and end all for Marlon because he is defined by parenthood and wants to be the best dad he possibly can be. As a consequence of that, he's taken his eye off the ball with Laurel. It's not because he doesn't love her with all of his heart, it's just because his heart has been put through the blender and he's trying to reassemble it."

Is Marlon hurt next week when Laurel tells him that she has shared a kiss with Ashley?
"Absolutely, but Marlon did kiss Donna so it would be hypocritical for him to be too furious about it! He's hurt, but not in the obvious way. Marlon is actually hurt that it got to the point where Laurel felt like she had to do that. He's disappointed with himself in such a profound way.

"Of course Marlon is hurt and his ego is dented a little bit, but he knows that Laurel's kiss with Ashley wasn't a romantic one - just like his own kiss with Donna wasn't. For Laurel it was a cry for help and she was reaching out to Ashley.

"Ashley is a brilliant bloke and he's still her friend, but Marlon knows that Laurel hasn't done this to be unfaithful. Laurel has done it because she feels like she's losing Marlon. It hits him like a hammer-blow when he realises the point that he's pushed her to."
http://i2.cdnds.net/14/35/618x421/so...ale-6970-1.jpg
Laurel finds Marlon at Donna's grave
© ITV
Laurel finds Marlon at Donna's grave

We'll have to wait and see if the wedding goes ahead, but is it true that Laurel's father Doug is slightly wary of her relationship with Marlon when he returns?
"Yes, definitely. Doug is one of my favourite characters! We have to remember that Doug hasn't seen Marlon and Laurel's love for each other and how it all came to pass. He's a bit surprised by it all and he's a bit wary about it. It doesn't help that Sandy is whispering various stuff to him about Marlon!

"I love the way they've written it - they've not made our characters bitter enemies or anything, but they have got us bickering which I've loved. It's a contrast to what's been going on over the past couple of months. Because Duncan Preston is such a master of comedy, he can do the slightest tilt of his eyes and it makes me laugh!

"It's great to see Duncan back - I've seen him in plays while he's been away and he's been fantastic in those, but we're all chuffed to bits to have him back at Emmerdale. He's just a joy to have around and he's a comedy legend."

Do you hope the writers find ways to keep Ross and Marlon interacting?
"I do! I really like Mike - he's one of the good guys and I'm really fond of him. I love doing scenes with him because I think we spark off each other really well, even when our characters are at their worst with each other. I'd love to do more stuff with him and see where it goes next.

"I have no idea if that will happen or not, but I do think their relationship is fascinating as it really could go either way. If anything does happen, I'm sure April will be a leveller for both of them."

We've heard that the autumn will be massive for Emmerdale… Is the best yet to come?
"Yes! There are some stories that are coming up that are action-packed, thrilling and genuinely shocking. By the end of this year, I think it will have cranked up another gear again, so there's fantastic stuff to come."

Sorry wouldn't get my vote for best actor. Long service fair enough .