Sarah Jayne Dunn hasn’t found it difficult to act out this week’s ‘Hollyoaks’ Trial Week scenes because she has been "really feeling for" her friends playing out such emotional moments.
The Channel 4 soap has featured the sexual abuse trial of evil football coach Buster Smith – played by Nathan Sussex – this week, and the 37-year-old star admits it has been a tough watch during filming because her co-stars have acted out the storyline so realistically.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "All the boys in the court have been fantastic. To watch them perform, it’s not difficult to act yourself because you’re really feeling for them.
"They’re our friends so to see them upset and hear them talk about what they’re talking about …"
The slow-burner storyline has seen Brody Hudson (Adam Woodward) and Ollie Morgan (Aedan Duckworth) reveal Buster had been grooming and abusing them.
And despite being fond of Nathan, when Sarah is watching him playing Buster she cannot help but wish the character was banged up.
She added: "I love Nathan in real life, he is the nicest man. But when he’s up there and he’s talking I hate him so much. I’m like, ‘This isn’t right.’
"He’s such a nice man but I’m thinking, ‘I just want to see him locked up.’ "
As well as the acclaim he has received for acting out the hard-hitting plot, Aedan received an additional bonus this week when he was nominated for a National Television Award in the Newcomer category, and Sarah admits he is "so excited" about the ceremony.
She added: "Aedan has been amazing. I’m so thrilled for him.
"I saw him and gave him a big cuddle and said congratulations. He’s so excited.
"It’s just a really nice reward for the hard work he’s put it. Since he’s started about 18 months ago now, maybe not even that long, he’s pulled out all the stops.
"He’s really shown what he’s made of. He’s getting a stronger and stronger performer all the time.
"He’s been given this really big, important storyline and he’s really delivering."
Buster’s verdict is announced on Thursday (10.01.19) during Hollyoaks’ E4 episode at 7pm.
Sarah Jayne Dunn ‘really felt for’ Hollyoaks co-stars during Trial Week
