The former Brookside star spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about returning to the screen with G’wed and why she would only ever live in LIverpool
Jennifer Ellison spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview at the G’wed screening this week(Image: Liverpool Echo)
It was a full circle moment for Jennifer Ellison when she returned to a TV set for the first time in a decade to film G’wed. The mum-of-three shot to stardom 28 years ago as Emily Shadwick in Brookside and was a key part of the Channel 4 soap until her character was dramatically killed off in 2003.
After a long time away from acting on TV that has brought succcessful stints on the stage and reality shows, Jennifer has made her eagerly awaited return as she plays Anna, the estranged mum of Aimee Morris (played by Amber Harrison), in ITV’s hit Liverpool-set comedy. The series returns for its third season on ITVX on Monday (June 8) and Jennifer admitted she was nervous about returning to set.
Speaking to the ECHO in an exclusive interview at the season three screening in the Everyman Cinema, she said: “I was actually a bit terrified the night before [filming], I’m not going to lie because it has been like 10 years since I’ve done any acting on screen. I’ve done reality and a bit of theatre, but doing telly had been 10 years.
“I was like, ‘I’m not going to know what to do. I’m going to be awful.’ I had a bit of a breakdown the night before.” However, Jennifer was relieved to see some famous faces from her first television role on set, such as Mick Johnson star Louis Emerick, which helped settle the nerves.
She said: “So many of the G’wed cast and crew were from Brookside so it was like a full circle moment.” However, Jennifer said not everything in the same as the roles are reversed from her first role as the rebellious teenager. The 43-year-old laughed: “Only I was the mother, not the child. It was an absolute reality check of, ‘Hey Jen, you are now old.'”
Jennifer Ellison with her onscreen family in G’wed, played by John McGrellis and Amber Harrison(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Jennifer’s role in G’wed has been a long time coming as she nearly landed the role of Reece’s mum in the first season of G’wed, which eventually went to Leanne Best. She said: “I got down to the last two.
“We did a screen test and I met Dylan [Thomas-Smith] before he was even cast. It’s been mad because I’ve been fond of the show ever since because I met him, I did the screen test and he’s a lovely boy.
“I’ve had a soft spot for G’wed and when they asked me to audition for season three, I thought, ‘Absolutely’.” G’wed is a comedy that puts Liverpool on screen in a positive way and Jennifer is thrilled to represent her home city she holds so dearly.
She said: “It’s another full circle moment because Brookside was the same. Tackling subjects on screen that others wouldn’t tackle. They both do the same thing for Liverpool. Everyone from Liverpool is very proud of it and are not embarrassed it.
“Liverpool people love G’wed and they love Brookside so that’s made me feel nostalgic.” Jennifer has been a proud champion of talent from the city as she has run a performing arts school in the city since 2009.
She is proud to be part of a show that puts authentic Scouse actors on screen as she said: “There’s so many talented Scousers out there who can act and I’m like, ‘Why are they putting these dodgy accents on telly when there’s so many incredible Liverpool actors out there that can do it?’
“It’s a hard accent to do, so if you can’t do it, then don’t attempt it.” Jennifer grew up in West Derby and remains firmly rooted in the city as she said why it was the only place she would want to raise her three children with husband, Rob Tickle.
She said: “Liverpool people have a special character. When I was working away a lot and would get on the train at Euston, I’d always know if there was a Liverpool crew.
“Liverpool people are the friendliest most down to earth people. That’s why I’ve never moved away. I just love Liverpool that’s why I’ve set my business up here and I’m nurturing talent here. I just love Liverpool. There’s so much talent, there’s so many amazing people and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
Jennifer is now excited for the future and admitted she has been bitten by the acting bug again with the role in G’wed as she hopes for more of the same in the future and filming in her home city.
She said: “I had three little boys and I was setting up the business, which has took up so much time. I’ve now got a degree course, so we’ve got a full degree in the performing arts.
“It’s been really time consuming and I haven’t had the time to go off and do a year contract. So when G’wed came in I was thinking can I do it? And it was like four weeks filming so I was like, “oooh.” So I ended up doing it and the rest is history.”
G’wed season three arrives on ITVX on Monday, June 8