Charlie Lawson helped ‘Coronation Street’ newcomer Hannah Ellis Ryan to feel "more comfortable" on set after he arranged to meet her before her first day.
The ‘Corrie’ veteran, who will reprise his role as no-nonsense Jim McDonald tonight (07.09.18), contacted the actress – who has joined the ITV soap as Jim and Liz McDonald’s (Beverley Callard) daughter Katie – so they could have a chat before she started filming on the cobbles.
She said: "It’s no exaggeration to say that everyone at Corrie is wonderful. Charlie rang me a few days after I’d been cast so that we could meet and chat a bit before that first day.
"It’s a very fast-paced environment and there isn’t a lot of time for chit-chat in between takes, so I felt more comfortable, thanks to Charlie, than I may have otherwise.
"The set is so warm and encouraging, all the directors were wonderful – as are all the actors – so I honestly just felt like part of the family straight away."
Theatre actress Hannah will make her TV debut in ‘Corrie’ and when the star is not acting she works in the bar and box office at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre.
She has been left "shocked" at a recent debate about actors having other day jobs, admitting she is quite happy pulling pints in the theatre bar when she is not learning lines.
Speaking to website I Love Manchester, Hannah added: "To be honest, I’m shocked it’s a debate. There are many old jokes about acting. ‘I’m an actor’ ‘Cool. What café do you work in?’ and many more.
"We all know that acting is a difficult industry where you can be in work one day and out the next.
"I’m appalled that anyone could shame an actor for being out of work and having to earn in another industry. Some of the most talented people I’ve ever met are yet to book a professional job.
"And many of us have multiple passions also – I’m lucky that I still have my job at Hope Mill Theatre, where I still merrily pull pints and work on box office. That is a true actor’s life."
Charlie Lawson made Hannah Ellis Ryan feel ‘comfortable’ on Corrie
