RAECHELLE BANNO ‘I REALLY STRUGGLED’
THE HOME AND AWAY STAR OPENS UP ABOUT HER CHARACTER’S CHEATING
Bubbly blonde pocket rocket Raechelle Banno never expected to see her character go down this path. With Olivia set to hook-up with Axel, cheating on longterm partner Hunter (Scott Lee) this week, filming the scenes were really tough for the 24-year-old.
‘It’s something that I can never see myself doing,’ she tells New Idea.
‘It’s such a tough moral issue, but you have to play it with integrity.’
Raechelle opens up about struggling with the storyline and her real-life boyfriend!
How did you react when you found out about the affair storyline?
In all honesty, it put me to the test. I really enjoy a creative challenge, but I think playing a character for, coming up to, two-and-a-half years, you get really attached to them and their journey. I was really sad for her that this was going to be such a challenge for her and Hunter.
Are you dating anyone at the moment?
I am actually dating someone at the moment. His name is Henry. That’s all I’m saying about that.
What was it like filming the scenes?
Doing scenes where both of them were present, and I had to be wrapped up in this, and I had to be ignoring Scottslash-hunter, was really hard! We’ve always been such a unit, both on and off screen. I kept apologising to him.
What’s your bond like with Scott, who plays Hunter?
I adore Scott. I have so much respect for him. I feel really privileged being able to work with him. It’s not often you get to work with someone you connect with on this level.
Who else are you close with in the cast?
I do a lot of work with Lynne [Mcgranger, who plays Irene ] and Ada [Nicodemou, who plays Leah], and they’re absolute champions. They’re really great people. They’re always a joy to be around and you can talk to them about anything.
You have a twin, Karina, does she ever get stopped?
We do look similar so people often don’t believe that she’s not me! She’s such a champion, she always takes it in her stride.