Kyle Pryor found it "psychologically challenging" playing Hollyoaks’ Laurie Shelby.
The 30-year-old star’s evil character was killed off last night (07.08.19) when he died of a head injury, bringing an end to his reign of terror – which included raping his wife Sinead Shelby, played by Steph Davis – and the actor hopes he did the hard-hitting plot "justice".
He said: "The storyline dealt with a very sensitive subject matter that affects people in real life, and I understood the gravity of that.
"I hope I was able to do it justice in regards to raising awareness and encouraging anyone in an abusive situation to come forward. It was psychologically challenging tackling a character like this."
Kyle – who previously played Dr. Nate Cooper in Aussie soap ‘Home and Away’ – hasn’t been recognised while out and about since he stopped filming after growing a "substantial beard", but admits viewers have been "complimentary" to him on social media.
He said: "I’ve grown quite a substantial beard since I stopped filming and have a good cap collection, so no one knows it’s me when I’m out and about!
"The public have been complimentary on social media in regards to how the storyline has been handled and the characters have been portrayed, along with the great work Steph Davis, Anna Passey and Alex Fletcher did. It was a pleasure to act alongside all of them."
After starring in two soaps, Kyle admits he would like to take his acting career in a "slightly different direction", but he wouldn’t ever rule out a return to Soapland.
He added to RadioTimes.com: "I take each part on a situational basis, but I think having played two very different characters in the same genre I would like to move in a slightly different direction now, just for a new challenge.
"But I’d never write anything off and I’m open to all opportunities."
Kyle Pryor: Playing Laurie was ‘psychologically challenging’
