What made you want to return to DREAM TEAM after all this time especially since you have had film roles and other bigger offers? I returned to the show because I could. DREAM TEAM is very special to me. It was my first job out of drama school. Also it's good to step back into the shoes of a character you have already developed. As for film and other bigger offers, I've been really blessed with work and nice jobs since DREAM TEAM, but a job is only as big as the period you spend shooting. Then it's over and you must move on. I call it stepping stones and am grateful for all the work I've had a chance to do.
What has changed since you left? Nothing much has really changed. It's still a very tight unit, fast turn round filming and a wonderful cast and crew.
From that first appearance alongside Jerry Block are you surprised your character has become so popular? Yes I think you're always surprised to discover your character is popular amongst viewers, because most actors are quite critical of our performances. When we watch the show, we don't see our characters the way the viewer sees them. We are too busy concentrating on the mistakes we think we have made or things we could have done better.
What are your favourite Lynda Block moments. Storylines? I loved the Luid/Lynda storyline years ago, the Wembley game, Jerry Block arranging the hitman. It was great to be at Wembley on the last day before it was demolished. Lynda under stress is always a challenge to play. I also enjoy the emotional stuff and a good tug of love.
Which characters from the past do you miss working with? Kelly James (Emma Gilmore), Helen Jensen (Kate McGowan), Luis Amor Rodriguez (Martin Crewes), Fletch of course (the legend that is Terry K). Jeff Stein (Ray McCallum) and Claudia Irving (Georgia Zaris). Also Victoria Baptiste (Sarah Matravers) was fun to work with. It has been good to come back and find Danny Husbands still here and now in a major role and Lonyo returned as well after an absence of a few years.
Have you kept up with events in Harchester while you've been away? On and off. I've been filming abroad a lot and don't have Sky at home. But I keep in touch with people so have been given regular updates.
Would you like to have had some final scenes with Karl Fletcher? How did you feel about him being killed off? Yes I would. I think DREAM TEAM misses him. I certainly do.
Do you keep in touch with any former cast members? I keep in touch with a lot of them. When I moved down to London they became like family.
How do you dream team now with all the new characters. Is it the same or do you miss any of the old characters? We all dream team together very well thank you. As I said before we are a very strong unit regardless of comings or goings. Always have been, always will be.
After being away from DREAM TEAM for all this time, does it feel different in any way from when you were first in it? Yes of course, although this year is nearly a brand new cast, it kind of feels more like when I first started years ago in the second series. The excitement of meeting and working and finding out whether or not you gel with a lot of new people. But on the other hand I know more technically about filming now, so it's a lot more enjoyable. I'm more comfortable and more confident in my work. I am particularly interested in directing and getting a better understanding of the demands of that job.
What do you think of the changes in the show down the years and how well do you think it has progressed since it was first shown? I think about how long the show has been going and smile. For a programme to be recommissioned for years! It is a good thing and makes me proud of Jane Hewland who developed the show and whose constant inspiration keeps it going.
Would you be tempted to join Footballers Wives what with it having terrestrial exposure? NO!
Is there any bad feeling in the DT camp about FW seeing as former cast members have swapped sides. Not at all. It's a different show altogether. We wish anyone who moves on the best of luck, wherever they go.
What did you get up to in your time away from DT? So many things, personally and workwise. I got into feature films, action and comedy. I worked with some great actors and directors, the funniest being Paul Whitehouse and Chris langham on the series HELP! It has all been great fun.
What emotions did you feel on your return to filming? I just put myself in Lynda's shoes and felt what she felt. That is my job. Obviously it was very emotional for her to come back to Harchester United after three years in prison and everything that had happened to her. I admit I did feel emotional, stepping out for the first time back on the pitch at Millwall.
Were you nervous coming back? No, not at all. We are kept far too busy ever to have time to get nervous.
What would you like Lynda's final swan song to be? The idea of a swan song just makes me feel sad, so I don't like to think about it. Maybe a dance with Luis. I think he was always Lynda's great love.
When you left after Lynda was jailed did you ever think you would come back? I never say never and always wanted to come back some time.
What differences have you found between series. Has the writing improved and what character developments in Lynda made you want to return? I see it from an older more grown up point of view now. The writing's always been great but I think the new Lynda is a lot harder character after all she has been through. Three years in prison for manslaughter makes a person tougher. That change makes her fun to play again.
What was your favourite episode from the past? There are too many to mention. When Lynda got together with Luis perhaps. The Wembley episode at the end of Series 2 when Jerry hired the hitman. But there were also great episodes in Series 5 too, particularly during the trial when Lynda started the relationship with Fletch, and then confessed that she was guilty of Prash's murder.
If you could be Chief Exec of a football club in real life which one would you pick? Liverpool.
What would be your most perfect day? In real life? To wake up in a hut by the beach in Barbados at the moment. We are all working so hard right now and the nights are closing in and the weather often pretty grim. The idea of a sunshine holiday seems very appealing.
Don't you feel paranoid that you have avoided the ‘untimely accidents' that have happened to so many other characters? Lynda is just glad to be out of prison. That was enough of a bad thing to happen to her. She plans to be around for her son for a long time. Louis is a real cutie!
What has been the highlight of your career over the past three years. In particular what was it like working with the boys from Auf Wiedersehen Pet and Gary Daniels in Submerged? It has been fantastic to learn how to be an ‘action girl'. All the fighting and stunts I've had a chance to learn and do myself. That has been a major challenge and very exciting.
Who has been your favourite cast member to work with on DT? Terry Keily.
Were you nervous to return to DT or has it all come naturally? Not at all nervous. I have so many friends behind the cameras as well as in front.
Apart from Harchester, what football team do you support? Liverpool!! My big brother, Phil, made me. So what can I do?
Do you have any input to Lynda's storylines? No not really. It's often a surprise to me when I read a script. But I do have input in the way scenes are developed. Things we put into a performance may spark the writers to develop a storyline differently. They have told me in the past that they have spotted things happening on screen in the rushes between my character and other characters. Could be sexual chemistry, or a natural dislike for example. And the performance has inspired them to change a storyline or come up with a new one. For example in Episode 1 of this current series, they claimed to see chemistry between my character and Felix the new manager. They claimed he was flirting with me in a way they had not written or imagined. That changed how they thought of his character and the type of man he was, as you will see in future episodes. They also felt there was a spark of animosity between me and Chloe (Julie). Two rival career women. And this is something they plan on building on as well. That's what developing your character is all about.
Has her prison stint changed Lynda? As I have said above, yes. She's harder and not much really bothers her now. At least she no longer cares so much what people think. I also think she's put up a certain barrier against men. She's a bit afraid to fall in love again after all she has been through and as a single mum with a child to consider. But having said that I'd like to see someone get inside her head again.
How do you feel about such a vast cast shake up? I really think it has worked. The new cast members are all brilliant in my opinion. It is interesting to see who you like already and who you dislike. Hating a character is a good viewing motive too.
Do you have any funny stories about filming? So many they could make up a show just from our out takes. But maybe that would only be funny to us.
Would you prefer fame or fortune? Fortune out of those two… but I've never really been that bothered about money as long as I can afford the things in life that matter and make you safe.
What are your likes and dislikes of Lynda? I love her. I love her strength and I love her passion for the club and for the people in her charge. She is very loyal and determined and the producers have said they see her, for this series, as the moral centre of the show. She represents the club and the club is a very central character for her. I just hope she will not become too hard or cynical or lonely.
Have you had any encounters with scary fans? No our fans have always been supportive and very nice.
Do you ever look at the forums for viewers reactions to your character? No. I am not very good with computers and I think you can spend too much time getting influenced by peoples reaction to you when really as an actor you have to use your own judgment.
What are your hopes for Lynda this series? I'm looking forward to some loving. But with whom?
What do you feel is the biggest factor in DREAM TEAM's success? Research and storylines and the talent that is spread between production, cast and crew.
Are there any storylines you have disliked being part of? I did not like having amnesia after being clipped by a bullet at the beginning of Series 3.
Can you give any hints about how the series is looking at this early stage? Sorry, not allowed. You have to watch to find out what is going to happen.
How much of your own personality is in Lynda? There's very little at the start. But as we go on I become more efficient, bossier – probably too bossy for my own good. Personally I'm a big kid. I try to add that element to Lynda when I get the chance. But I don't often.
Thank you for asking me. I enjoyed answering your questions. I hope the answers are helpful and that you will all continue to watch, support and enjoy the series. You mean a lot to us all. Ali King aka Lynda Block, October 24 2005.
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