Krissi Bohn reveals how Jenna is coping as she is suspended from her job, after Sophie's furious dad Kevin caught her and his daughter kissing. Plus, Krissi teases what the future might hold for the romantically mixed-up patient and nurse. (Warning - interview contains plot spoilers)
Question: How is Jenna coping with being suspended from her job?
Answer: She’s finding it very difficult, her job is her passion, it’s the one thing she’s worked so hard for her whole life, her mum is so proud of her and she’s really struggling with the thought of losing it all.
Q: How does she feel about having to fight to save her career?
A: She wants to save her job but she doesn’t know what to do yet. She’s torn because she does have feelings for Sophie but she’s desperate to keep her job.
Q: How did Jenna feel when Sophie revealed her feelings and kissed her?
A: I think she had noticed the signs but she wasn’t sure if she was reading them correctly. Deep down there were feelings there from Jenna too but I think she wanted to deny they were there so she could carry on working with Sophie. When Sophie does kiss her I think there is a part of Jenna that’s happy and enjoys it but her overriding feeling is to try and be professional.
Q: Did Jenna respond or reject Sophie?
A: She responded in that moment then pulled away, afterwards she knows she shouldn’t have done it and she realises she should have stopped treating Sophie a while ago. However much she insisted the relationship was professional, deep down she was aware she’d developed feelings for Sophie.
Q: How is she coping with the fall out of that kiss?
A: It’s really difficult because both their families live on the street so the fallout is huge. Kevin’s not happy, Sally’s telling people that Jenna’s predatory and has taken advantage of her position. So it’s not just between Jenna, Sophie and her work it affects her whole life.
Q: as Kevin’s reaction shocked Jenna?
A: She’s shocked by the strength of Kevin’s reaction but then she realises that’s it’s probably fuelled by the way she reacted when he tried to kiss her. It’s a bit more personal and maybe if she hadn’t reacted the way she did with him and made such an issue about being professional he wouldn’t have been so angry, it does seem a bit hypocritical.
Q: Does she think she may lose her job over this?
A: She knows she could lose her job but then there’s also a chance she could just get a warning. It’s not a certainty, she’s still hopeful she’ll be able to work through it and continue doing what she loves.
Q: Why hasn’t she told Mandy and Lloyd the truth about her sexuality? Jenna has convinced her family that she’s not gay… why is that?
A: I think part of it is that she doesn’t want her mum to be disappointed in her, she’s also not ready to tell her parents that she’s gay. Perhaps if had been another day and she’d sat them down and told them in her own time it would have been ok but the fact that it just blows up so massively makes her feel that it’s not the right time.
Q: What is Jenna’s reaction when Sophie offers to completely exonerate her?
A: Jenna realises then how much that Sophie really cares for her and what a kind-hearted person she is. She’s prepared to put herself on the line and say to everyone she made it up when she’s going to end up looking like the bad guy. The fact that she’s willing to do that for Jenna really opens her eyes, she’s willing to lie for her when Jenna won’t even stand up and tell the truth. At first she thinks Sophie’s said it on a whim but she realises she has thought it through and maybe Sophie’s a lot maturer than she first thought.
Q: Does it make her feelings grow even deeper?
A: It makes Jenna see Sophie more as an adult, she’s selfless and it makes Jenna realise that she’s being quite selfish.
Q: What makes Jenna pour her heart out to dad Lloyd and admit that she is gay? How does he react?
A: Through getting to know Lloyd, Jenna’s realised that he’s a really nice person, he doesn’t judge anyone and he’s willing to listen. He gives her the space to say what she wants to say and he’s really supportive when she tells him the truth, he makes it clear that she’s his daughter and he’ll stand by her whatever she does. He doesn’t tell her to lie to the tribunal, he doesn’t say tell the truth, he just tells her to go with her heart.
Q: Is being gay something she has only just admitted to herself or has she had gay relationships in the past?
A: She’s never had a proper relationship with a woman, she’s had a couple of one night stands and a holiday fling.
Q: How is Jenna preparing for the employment tribunal?
A: Even going into the tribunal she doesn’t know what to do, she’s desperate to keep her job so maybe she feels more inclined to do whatever it takes to save her career. Ultimately it’s only when she goes in through the doors that she decides what to do.
Q: Now Sophie is no longer Jenna’s patient, is there any reason why they can’t be in a relationship is that’s what they both want?
A: At the time of coming out of the tribunal Jenna’s main concerns are sorting out her career and sorting out her family. I don’t think she’s got the head space for a relationship after everything that’s happened.
Q: How have the fans reacted to Jenna?
A: They’ve been really positive, they seem to like Jenna so far which is nice, people have been asking me for a while if she’s going to be gay and if she’s going to have a relationship with Sophie so it’s great to be able to explore that now.
Q: Have you enjoyed working with Brooke? What’s she like as a screen partner?
A: I absolutely love working with Brooke, she’s so funny and down to earth. She’s so friendly and she really puts you at ease. Obviously it’s been quite daunting but because she’s done all this before with Sacha she knows what comes with it and has really helped.
Q: Are you enjoying the dynamic between Jenna and Lloyd?
A: Absolutely loving it, I think the best thing to come out of this whole storyline for me is that we’ve been able to establish more of a father/daughter relationship. It’s really bonded them and it’s really nice to see that family dynamic grow.
Q: Would you like to see Sophie and Jenna make a go of things?
A: I would, I’d quite like everything Jenna’s been through to be for a reason rather than this all happen and them not get together. It would be nice to see a proper relationship happen between them, even despite the age gap, it’s interesting and different to the relationship that Sophie had with Sian.
Q: Are you excited about what 2013 holds for Jenna?
A: I’m very excited, I know I’m going to be here for at least another 6 months which is brilliant.
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