大象传媒

Alison Steadman has joined the Archers cast as Olwen, Pat's friend from the Elm's Homeless Shelter. We caught up with her and found out what her first impressions of Ambridge were...

When I listened I鈥檇 paint this picture of Ambridge, I used to think that Phil Archer was the most drop dead gorgeous guy

What do you make of Olwen?

I like her, she’s a bit of a pain, but I really like her. She’s one of those people that you meet and then 10 minutes later you’re thinking just get rid of her! She’s honest, open, she’s the kind of women who will say what she’s thinking. She doesn’t have a stop button.

What do you make of the situation she has found herself in?

It’s quite scary, anyone could find themselves in that situation. If you haven’t got back up, her partner chucked her out, so what do you do? She’s got no money and she’s lost her job because she’s so outspoken.

Archers fan?

I’ve been listening since I was 7. My parents always listened to the radio, we didn’t get a television until the coronation, so radio was our thing, we loved radio. I’ve got a sister who is 12 years older than me, she was like my second mum, and she would say that I could listen to The Archers and then it’s straight to bed. So as soon as I heard the end music that was my cue to go up to bed.

What would you do if you were Editor for the day?

A storyline to do with the overuse of plastics. I’m always campaigning about plastic. I haven’t used a plastic for about 6 years now, and I won’t. The 5p charge hasn't changed things enough, I’d like to see what charging £5 would do!

And out of our previous storylines, which have pricked your ears?

Helen and Rob – that was just so painful. I was asked to speak at a The League of Jewish Women charity event, they provide counsellors to women in need and they asked me to read out a letter from a woman thanking her counsellor. The abuse she suffered so closely matched Helen’s situation. Her husband would even control when she would go to the toilet, he controlled every detail of her life. I also played a character in a film who’d been abused by her husband and when, finally, she thought he was going to kill her she actually left, so it was great that The Archers flagged up this sort of abuse – the abuse you can’t see.

Which Ambridge family would you want to belong to?

That's a tricky question! It would have to be The Archers although I do love Lynda Snell. She is so out spoken, you’re always thinking, Oh Lynda don’t say that!

Listen to Pat and Olwen's first scene: