Sunetra Sarker Interview

Actress Sunetra Sarker made her name in Channel 4’s ‘No Angels’ playing nurse Anji.

Currently she is appearing in CASUALTY as no-nonsense doctor Zoe Hanna, having joined the cast last December and she kindly took time out of her busy schedule to chat with holby.tv…

Are you enjoying your time on CASUALTY so far?

Yes. It’s a real family feeling working on this show.

Zoe must be a great character to play. How would you describe her and can you relate to her in any way?

Zoe is strong, cheeky and rebellious. She’s not scared of making friends or enemies. I can only say I’m as cheeky as her but not such a rebel!

In her relationships, Zoe is happy to be uncommitted and fails to get heavily involved. Do you think there is a past history as to why she acts like this and do you think viewers are ever likely to see her get truly close to anyone?

Yes. There must be a reason why she doesn’t want anything heavy from a man. I think we’ll find out why one day but she is, I think, scared of love and so throws herself into what she’s good at – being a doctor.

You used to play a nurse in ‘No Angels’, how does working on CASUALTY compare/ differ to working on your previous show?

Very different. Anji was fun loving and everyone’s friend. Zoe is not the kind of girl that would want Anji as a friend! I miss Anji lots but find Zoe a new challenge. Playing a doctor is harder for me as I’m used to playing nurses!

Do you still keep in touch with any cast from ‘No Angels’?

All of them – we’re like sisters. We keep in touch and meet up as much as we can. We all met as single girls and now we’re all married and starting families; they are like my extended family.

What are the rest of the CASUALTY cast like to work with? Who are your closest friends on Set?

Brilliant. Everyone is so down to earth and good natured. All the girls are very close to eachother. Best friends; Susan Cookson, Caroline Langrishe, Jane Hazlegrove, Janine Mellor, Gillian Kearney and Georgia Taylor.

Matt Bardock and I worked on ‘No Angels’ together so he’s a good pal too.

Did you used to be a fan of/ watch the show before you joined?

On and off; before I had a baby I had more Saturday nights out. But my in-laws always watched it so I have had a full history lowdown off them about all the stuff that’s happened over the years before I joined.

You also had a guest stint in sister show HOLBY CITY back in 2004 – what did your storyline involve?

It was a long time ago. It was a storyline about my girlfriend having a baby and my brother being the sperm donor!?! I know! I played a character called Nanda Veer, I think.

Have you always wanted to be an actress? Who are your inspirations?

I fell into acting when I was 15 so I don’t think I knew what I wanted to be at such a young age. My inspirations are actors like Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, Juliette Binoche – good actors.

Away from the busy filming schedule, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I’m always on the phone catching up with friends. I like dancing and going to the cinema. For a good night in I love watching The Apprentice, Scrubs and Dragon’s Den.