大象传媒

Kirstin Coulter Smith plays Catriona Stewart

"Catriona is very strong, very to the point, really competent. She's very aware of how much work it takes to survive every day and to lead the people around her. It's really nice to play because it's a role that could be done as victim, but isn't." - Kirstin Coulter Smith

Kirstin Coulter Smith plays the part of Catriona, the daughter of James Stewart - a bonnie lass and an excellent shot.

"Catriona is the daughter of James of the Glens and she's in this interesting position because they were a noble family. But as a result of the persecutions the clan is under, they're very put upon and her family has managed to compromise with the English to make an unhappy peace."

Catriona meets Alan and Davie when they visit the Stewart farm, fugitives from English justice.

After her father is arrested, she hunts down Alan and Davie and they form an uneasy alliance.

Smith says Catriona and her father show Davie a life and upbringing very different to his own:

"Catriona is similar to Davie but a world away. She's in a difficult situation and her father has had to compromise his ideals. That makes an interesting comparison with Davie and Alan."

Smith also relishes the active side of her courageous heroine:

"I love that there's quite a lot of physical stuff to do and some key moments of conflict. I've been training with rifles and other things."

A university student, Smith's studies stand her in good stead for the role:

"I was familiar with Kidnapped. I have studied English literature so have read the book.

"I was really enthusiastic about doing this part because it comes from such a great text. It marries history with a great kids' adventure. It has real depth. Every character in this is very rounded and interesting."

She has enjoyed the challenge of playing a character who is part of a larger than life adventure but is still firmly rooted in historical reality:

"You can do something like this incredibly romantically but you also have to remember that this is how people lived and you've got to respect that and make it as real as possible."