Actress Kate Ford on how Tracy gets her own back on Steve and Michelle - by using Michelle's son Ryan!
How upset is Tracy about Steve and Michelle’s romance?
Tracy is devastated to hear that Steve and Michelle are together, she just can’t believe it, it’s like being taken back in time. For Tracy it’s like going back to how she felt about Becky, when Becky left she thought that was the end of it, so she’s just completely devastated that Steve has hooked up with another woman so quickly. She feels it’s right in her face because they’re living on the street and she has to see them every day. She’s furious as well, she feels as though Steve has betrayed her and not given her a second chance. How could he have said he loved her one minute, married her, then started a new relationship with someone else?
Can you talk us through her plan for revenge?
When she’s in the hospital she knows she’s going to think of something good, she knows she’s not going to let Michelle’s life be easy, but she doesn’t know exactly what she’s going to do at that point. She’s still not feeling great but she goes home and starts thinking about what she can do. It isn’t until she sees Ryan and he starts flirting with her, in order to wind his mum up, that she thinks 'hold on this is a really good idea, I could use Ryan to get at Michelle!'
How does Ryan respond to her seduction methods?
Ryan doesn’t put up a fight, he’s really pleased that he’s got this woman throwing herself at him, even if there is an age difference it doesn’t seem to bother him. I think he likes the fact that she’s outrageously flirty and he quite likes the fact that his mum is going to be annoyed with it. Because he is a bit of a bad boy as well it’s kind of a joint wind up, although I do think he really fancies her as well, which is very flattering because he’s young and good looking.
How does Michelle react when she finds out what’s going on between them?
Michelle just cannot believe it, it’s her worst nightmare. She’s also worried that Tracy is just using him and that he’s going to get hurt.
Does she have any genuine feelings for him at all?
No not deep feelings, not the kinds of feelings she has for Steve, it’s purely physical and it’s fun for her.
What was your reaction when you found out Tracy and Ryan would be getting together?
I was quite nervous actually, I’m 34 and obviously he’s a lot younger so I felt slightly out of my comfort zone. When we did the first kissing scene we were both really nervous, however now we’re absolutely fine as we’ve done it a hundred times! What is great about this story is that it’s quite funny and I was looking forward to doing something comedic rather than dark so it’s a laugh.
Why does Tracy want Steve so much? Why hasn’t she just cut her loses by now?
I think it’s that old classic of wanting what you can’t have, I don’t know how she’d feel if she ever got him, whether she’d be bored after a year or two. I think it’s because she’s never truly had him that she’s so anxious to have him in her life. She can’t bear the fact that he doesn’t fancy her and he doesn’t love her.
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