WESTSIDE STAR SOPHIE'S HEART-WRENCHING MOVE

The beloved actress has had to make a tough decision for family

- Sharon Stephenson

Sophie Hambleton's second appearance in The Brokenwood Mysteries is a colourful one. Set amid a Mexican Day of the Dead festival, this coming Sunday's episode sees the actress glammed up in a bright costume, complete with bejewelled face paint.

"The makeup and wardrobe department created amazing looks for each actor, including beautiful colour-matched headpieces," recalls the star, who's most famous for her role as the hilariously ditsy Carol O'Driscoll on Westside.

"It was so much fun, but I had to wash off the makeup before I left the set so it didn't stain the hotel linen!" Hotel life has been a recent theme for Sophie, 39, who last year made the tough call to move from Wellington to Auckland, where The Brokenwood Mysteries is shot, with her partner, actor/ musician Tom Knowles, and their two-year-old daughter Marley Rose.

"It was a heartbreaking decision because Wellington is my hometown and we have so much family support there," admits Sophie, referring to her parents, veteran actor Peter Hambleton and retired actress/ drama teacher Aileen.

"My mum and dad lived across town, so they were always able to look after Marley Rose when we were away for work. We'd regularly have dinner at each other's houses, which I really miss."