Doctors Amanda makes a return
EMMA SAMMS BRINGS A TOUCH OF HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR TO LETHERBRIDGE, AS A FACE FROM THE PAST RETURNS…
Amanda left under a cloud last time – and deservedly so!” admits Emma Samms, as she joins us to discuss her alter ego Amanda Vardalis’ shock return to Letherbridge this week. “But hopefully by the time she goes this time around, the audience will understand her behaviour – and have a bit more sympathy for her…”
There’s certainly a big surprise in store for Amanda’s exhusband Jimmi – who has no idea that she’s about to walk back into his life! And former Dynasty star Emma couldn’t be happier about returning to The Mill after
12 years away…
We’re very excited to have you back at Emma! Were you expecting to return?
Doctors, No! I wasn’t expecting it, and I said I’d be thrilled to come back – but only if I got to work with Adrian [Lewis Morgan, who plays Jimmi] again, because I have such incredibly fond memories of working with him. I describe him as my ‘Goldilocks’ co-star, because he’s got just the right amount of fun and professionalism and talent. We have a massive laugh!
Amanda left Jimmi in 2005 after falsely claiming that she had been diagnosed with cancer. So is she back in Letherbridge to make amends?
Amanda is actually in a very desperate place, and she needs help. Initially she arrives just wanting to see how Jimmi is doing – she chooses not to let him know she’s back straight away. She doesn’t want to go barging in if it would be massively inappropriate for her to show up. That’s her motivation, anyway – but of course it all ends up going horribly wrong…
Did it take you long to get back into Amanda’s character after all this time?
Weirdly, no! Because there’s been such a long gap, she didn’t have to be exactly the same as she was when we last saw her. I certainly remembered everything that had happened before, but I think that we’d all be a bit different after 12 years.
With Adrian being the only cast member remaining from your previous Doctors run, were you nervous on your first day back on set?
Well, Adrian wasn’t around on my first day! But I immediately felt very comfortable. The Doctors team is a really lovely group of people who are incredibly welcoming. It all felt very familiar, and I can genuinely say it’s the most I’ve enjoyed acting in a very long time.
You’re still remembered for playing Fallon Carrington Colby in Dynasty during the 80s. How does Doctors compare to working on a show like Dynasty?
Dynasty was the ultimate show back then. We had to look immaculate all day, every day! Every bit of our body that was on camera had make-up on it – in fact, there was a person whose job was exclusively body make-up. And having to look good at all times can be exhausting, to be honest! Amanda is quite glamorous, but nowhere near the level of Dynasty.
Do you still get recognised a lot – and do you mind being approached?
In the US I still get recognised for General Hospital [in which Emma played Holly Sutton Scorpio] and Dynasty – but in the UK, where I’m living now, it’s more exclusively Dynasty. British people are much less likely to say anything, though – whereas in America I can suddenly get a massive hug from somebody! But I don’t mind it at all. You’d be in the wrong profession if it were an issue.
Amanda is in a very desperate place – she needs help!
How do you hope life in Letherbridge will pan out for Amanda this time?
I don’t want to give away too much of the story, but it’s a very different sort of visit from last time – the writers have done it very well, and I’ve really enjoyed it. There are no clichés to Amanda at all. She’s unusual, she’s complicated and she’s troubled – and that’s good fun to play.
Would you like it if she were to stick around in the long term?
Well, when they asked me to do a sixweek stint, it seemed the perfect amount of time. But you’re asking me on my last day on set and I’m feeling really sad about leaving! I’ve loved being here, and I would definitely be open to coming back again. There are many reasons why Amanda might return, so you never know!