Post by kate on Aug 22, 2009 11:51:46 GMT
SPOILER ALERT! James Sorensen: Bridget's love changed Declan
James Sorensen, 23, made his Neighbours debut as Declan Napier in 2007. Something of a wild child in the past, he's been busted for under age drinking and illegal drag racing. Now he's melted viewers' hearts by marrying his sweetheart Bridget Parker, played by Eloise Mignon, who is soon to give birth to their baby.
James gives us the goss on what makes Declan tick. But be warned! This interview contains details of upcoming storylines not yet screened in the UK, so look away if you don't want to find out what happens.
When Declan first appeared he was a bit of a rogue. Did you prefer him when he was a meanie?
When the character's mean, especially in a show like Neighbours, it's actually a bit more fun to play. I never had any over-the-top fight scenes, but there were some showdowns at the General Store and school, so I probably did enjoy it when he was a little bit more angry. But I enjoy it now too, now he has a few more jokes to throw around.
Is it Bridget's love that has changed him?
Yeah, I think so. She kind of makes him calm down a bit, be a bit more of a gentleman. She's a good influence. When he came to Erinsborough he was very insecure. There'd been a lot of chop and change in his life, apart from his mum, who's always been there. They were always scared of his dad, Richard, and so he was just all over the shop. But when he came to Erinsborough, a lot of the past got settled, and he and his mum were able to settle down and make friends and make things work. He also found Bridget, and I think the stability brought him peace. He didn't need to jump in people's faces any more.
Declan's relationship with his mum is really close. Are you close to Jane Hall, who plays her?
Yes. Jane is like my second mum! I'll come on set, and if I'm drinking a can of Coke, she'll say "James, why are you drinking Coke? You don't need to drink that, drink water please!" She'll have a go at me if I go out on a weekend and have too much to drink, or if she hears stories that I've been misbehaving. She'll come up to me and say "I hear you've been doing this, that or the other. What have you been doing that for? Don't misbehave!" So yeah, we're very close. Jane's a lovely woman.
What kind of dad do you think Declan will make?
Declan and Bridget together are pretty good team, so I think they'll do a good job. They're preparing together a lot, and the burden is shared between them, which helps. As young as they are, and as ready as you can be to be a parent at 18... I mean, they haven't had any life experience, but they do have their parents around and each other for support. So I think they'll be good parents, and I think they think that too.
Are you staying in Neighbours, or will you be moving on?
You know I can't talk about that! What if the bosses want to make a cliffhanger out of my story?!
Okay, try this instead - are you happy with your job?
I love my job, it's great fun. You go to work, your mates are there. It's all good.
Did you always want to be an actor?
Always, from the age of about 14, 15, I thought, hey, I'm enjoying this. I'd like more of it.
Is that when you started as a professional?
Yeah, I did two extras jobs, and then I told my agent I never ever wanted to do an extra job again. They're too boring. I think I got my first named part when I was in my last year of school.
We know Declan's life is set to take a heartbreaking turn when Bridget dies. What were those scenes like to film?
I was a bit of a zombie but I was really into the story. Acting it, I really put myself into the storyline. It took a massive toll on me emotionally. I went out on the Friday night and had a few drinks. When I got home, I slept for 19 hours or something like that. It was a massive week, an emotional rollercoaster. I watch it back now, I can't without crying myself. I remember the places I had to get to to reach those certain points. It was challenging, but in a good way. Even talking about it I get emotional.
How does Declan cope after her death?
He doesn't cope at all. He loses it, it's like he's lost everything. He has no hope at all. At one stage he gives India up to Steve and Miranda. He can't look at India without being reminded of Bridget because India's got Bridget's eyes. He can't cope at all. It takes a very long time for him to get himself back together.
James Sorensen, 23, made his Neighbours debut as Declan Napier in 2007. Something of a wild child in the past, he's been busted for under age drinking and illegal drag racing. Now he's melted viewers' hearts by marrying his sweetheart Bridget Parker, played by Eloise Mignon, who is soon to give birth to their baby.
James gives us the goss on what makes Declan tick. But be warned! This interview contains details of upcoming storylines not yet screened in the UK, so look away if you don't want to find out what happens.
When Declan first appeared he was a bit of a rogue. Did you prefer him when he was a meanie?
When the character's mean, especially in a show like Neighbours, it's actually a bit more fun to play. I never had any over-the-top fight scenes, but there were some showdowns at the General Store and school, so I probably did enjoy it when he was a little bit more angry. But I enjoy it now too, now he has a few more jokes to throw around.
Is it Bridget's love that has changed him?
Yeah, I think so. She kind of makes him calm down a bit, be a bit more of a gentleman. She's a good influence. When he came to Erinsborough he was very insecure. There'd been a lot of chop and change in his life, apart from his mum, who's always been there. They were always scared of his dad, Richard, and so he was just all over the shop. But when he came to Erinsborough, a lot of the past got settled, and he and his mum were able to settle down and make friends and make things work. He also found Bridget, and I think the stability brought him peace. He didn't need to jump in people's faces any more.
Declan's relationship with his mum is really close. Are you close to Jane Hall, who plays her?
Yes. Jane is like my second mum! I'll come on set, and if I'm drinking a can of Coke, she'll say "James, why are you drinking Coke? You don't need to drink that, drink water please!" She'll have a go at me if I go out on a weekend and have too much to drink, or if she hears stories that I've been misbehaving. She'll come up to me and say "I hear you've been doing this, that or the other. What have you been doing that for? Don't misbehave!" So yeah, we're very close. Jane's a lovely woman.
What kind of dad do you think Declan will make?
Declan and Bridget together are pretty good team, so I think they'll do a good job. They're preparing together a lot, and the burden is shared between them, which helps. As young as they are, and as ready as you can be to be a parent at 18... I mean, they haven't had any life experience, but they do have their parents around and each other for support. So I think they'll be good parents, and I think they think that too.
Are you staying in Neighbours, or will you be moving on?
You know I can't talk about that! What if the bosses want to make a cliffhanger out of my story?!
Okay, try this instead - are you happy with your job?
I love my job, it's great fun. You go to work, your mates are there. It's all good.
Did you always want to be an actor?
Always, from the age of about 14, 15, I thought, hey, I'm enjoying this. I'd like more of it.
Is that when you started as a professional?
Yeah, I did two extras jobs, and then I told my agent I never ever wanted to do an extra job again. They're too boring. I think I got my first named part when I was in my last year of school.
We know Declan's life is set to take a heartbreaking turn when Bridget dies. What were those scenes like to film?
I was a bit of a zombie but I was really into the story. Acting it, I really put myself into the storyline. It took a massive toll on me emotionally. I went out on the Friday night and had a few drinks. When I got home, I slept for 19 hours or something like that. It was a massive week, an emotional rollercoaster. I watch it back now, I can't without crying myself. I remember the places I had to get to to reach those certain points. It was challenging, but in a good way. Even talking about it I get emotional.
How does Declan cope after her death?
He doesn't cope at all. He loses it, it's like he's lost everything. He has no hope at all. At one stage he gives India up to Steve and Miranda. He can't look at India without being reminded of Bridget because India's got Bridget's eyes. He can't cope at all. It takes a very long time for him to get himself back together.
The title of the interview made it look more exciting... but there is some good new stuff... enjoy.
