Mollie Gallagher Interview
Mollie Gallagher discusses the importance of the Nina and Seb's hate crime attack story.
Were you a fan of Corrie growing up? Who were you excited about having the opportunity to work alongside?
I grew up loving Corrie and one of my favourite characters was always Carla Connor so when I found out I was going to be working alongside Ali King I was really excited and nervous. It’s like I’ve watched all these people on my telly and now I am working with them. When I found out I was going to be Roy’s niece, I was so happy. I thought, “wow what an amazing person to work alongside”, I still can’t believe it. Even now I still think wow I’m actually on the set of Coronation Street!
What sort of fan reaction do you get on social media or out and about?
Everyone is really lovely and I get a lot of nice comments online. The response on social media has been lovely and I enjoy reading it. I am very grateful that people really like the character.
Do you get any people saying that they are really pleased that they feel they are being represented on screen?
Yes, I have definitely had comments about how the character is a good role model for people which I agree she is, and I’m so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play a character like Nina.
Tell us about your look and how it has evolved.
I have always liked being creative and just like whatever I like I guess. I'm a very expressive person, and I love fashion and physically expressing myself through what I wear. I love music and lyrics and I think that’s always influenced my style, because I love the stories that songs tell, and music has always stimulated my imagination and creativity. I love detail and I think that has influenced my style also.
Did you have any pressure at drama school or were you put under any pressure to have a more mainstream look?
No, I suppose I have just been who I am and always followed my intuition, I guess I knew that being authentic would hopefully lead me to the right path.
Have you ever encountered any bad experiences in person or on social media about how you look or how Nina looks?
No, not that I personally know of. I love that Nina is well liked and understood by the other characters on the show. She has so many layers and I love that different sides of her come out with each character she interacts with. I think I’m similar to Nina in that way. I love it when I’m reading a scene and I’m like, ‘Right, what side of Nina do we have today?’ and I’ll be like ‘Okay we have a sarcastic Nina today’ or ‘We have a sassy Nina today’ and so on, I love it.
How did you feel when you heard about this storyline and that Nina and Seb were going to be attacked because of how Nina looks?
I was told about the storyline and obviously what happens is absolutely awful and so sad. I was told about the connection to what happened in real life with Sophie Lancaster which was absolutely heartbreaking. From the get go I did lots of research, and we have been working with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. I was so grateful to be doing this storyline on an issue which is so important to highlight, I wanted to do it justice. Knowing this has happened and does happen breaks my heart. It is so important to raise awareness on the issue and I hope the storyline does this.
What research are you doing for this storyline?
We are working with the Sophie Lancaster Foundation. Harry and I have been having zoom calls with Sylvia Lancaster and the team at the foundation which I’m really grateful for.
What do you hope this storyline achieves?
I hope this storyline raises awareness and educates. I hope it sends out the message that we should be free to be who we want to be, and that we should all be accepted in society for being ourselves, and that we shouldn’t feel like we have to hide for being who we are. Everyone should feel free to express themselves.
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Nina and Seb: Hate Crime Attack Story
Interview: Harry Visinoni discusses Seb