For her starring role in new film Look to the Light, actress Lucy Benjamin had to dig deep and delve into the "dark side of being a mum".
The cautionary tale follows wannabe influencer Eddie Reynolds - played by Charlie Goddard, previously seen as a dancer in Barbie - as he attempts to make it big as a reality star, with devastating consequences for his mental health.
Here, former EastEnders star Lucy, 53, tells HELLO! how she channelled her short temper and getting it wrong as a mother into her role, and the dynamics of living with her teenage daughters Bessie, 17, and 13-year-old Rosie.
Lucy, you play Eddie's loving but pushy mother Elaine. What is she like?
"She's so desperate for fame herself that she's living vicariously through her son.
They're the kind of family who think fame tops everything.
"Elaine comes across as a bit of a tyrant, but she thinks she's doing the best thing for her son. She wants to get him out there and be seen by the world."
As a mum, was it challenging playing a mother whose child is going through a tough time?
"Yes - I went to the dark side of being a mum. I dug deep to access the side of me that gets it wrong sometimes, like when I get short-tempered.
Denne historien er fra May 27, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
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Denne historien er fra May 27, 2024-utgaven av HELLO! UK.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THROWING IT BACK TO THE 1990S 'VOGUE' ERA OF THE SUPERMODEL
KATE MOSS LEADS FAMOUS FACES REFLECTING ON FASHION HEYDAY
FORMER 'MADE IN CHELSEA' STAR FRAN NEWMAN-YOUNG
DAZZLES IN BESPOKE WEDDING GOWN AS SHE TIES THE KNOT IN STYLE IN MAJORCA
LENDING SUPPORT TO CHILDREN'S HOSPICE PRINCESSES BEATRICE AND EUGENIE
BRING LIGHT INTO LITTLE ONES' LIVES AS THEY PLANT A SYMBOL OF HOPE
ON BUOYANT FORM AFTER HIS WIFE'S GOOD NEWS THE PRINCE OF WALES
DISHES OUT THE HUGS ON VISIT FROM THE HEART
WITH AN INCREDIBLE GLIMPSE INTO FAMILY LIFE THE PRINCESS OF WALES
SHARES MESSAGE OF HOPE AS SHE LOOKS TO THE FUTURE AND BALANCING HER ROLE
IN HIGH SPIRITS AT THE BRAEMAR HIGHLAND GAMES THE KING AND QUEEN
ENJOY LAUGHS APLENTY AT A FAVOURITE EVENT BEFORE MONARCH QUIETLY MARKS TWO YEARS ON THE THRONE
AS HOLLY WILLOUGHBY RETURNS NATIONAL TELEVISION AWARDS
STARS DAZZLE ON NIGHT OF GLAMOUR AND GONGS
CREATING A NEW SISTER ACT ELIZABETH OLSEN
ON CO-STARRING WITH NATASHA LYONNE AND CARRIE COON
MAKING HISTORY AT STARSTUDDED EVENT IN NEW YORK TAYLOR SWIFT
SMASHES IT WITH SEVEN OF THE BEST AT THE V.M.As
KIM KARDASHIAN AND DAKOTA JOHNSONS
FASHION AND COMPASSION AT A-LIST CHARITY EVENT