‘She's going to get worse…'

Paige Sandhu on channelling Killing Eve’s Villanelle to play Emmerdale’s latest killer

- ALISON SLADE

EMMERDALE

MONDAY-FRIDAY / ITV / TIMES VARY / SOAP

The chocolate-box facade of Emmerdale has always belied its darker underbelly and, right now, the residents are blissfully unaware there’s a killer among them. Village nurse Meena Jutla recently murdered Leanna Cavanagh when the teen discovered she had bumped off an old pal.

TV Times caught up with star Paige Sandhu, who tells us about channeling Killing Eve assassin Villanelle, potential victims, and the memorable time she understudied a certain Gemma Arterton…

You recently said that you knew from the off Meena was a killer. Was it tough keeping it a secret, and did you confide in anyone?

My mum and my sister knew because when I got the role, I put my agent on speakerphone and they were in the room with me. And then I was told that it had to be a secret, and I was scared it would get out and I’d be fired!

It was a relief when Meena killed Leanna, because so many of the cast and crew had asked if I knew what was going to happen to Meena, and I’d be like, ‘I do know, but I can’t say.’

And I also felt that people better understood the choices I’d made as an actor.

Did you have any worries about taking on the role?

No, I wasn’t worried at all. Meena’s not your average character, and it’s exciting to go to places that you wouldn’t normally go.

I’m having loads of fun playing her; it’s the best fun ever! She goes really dark when she’s murdering, but all she wants is to have fun and for things to go her way. She’s super-charismatic, over the top, and flamboyant.