Page Two

Jemima plays the sassiest dead lass on TV as Hex's Thelma. She talks bare cheek(s) to us.

So filming for this series is finishing soon. What are the plans for the wrap party?

I don't know anything about the wrap party, where it is, when or anything. I'd like for it to be in a hotel but I suspect it'll be in a bar somewhere.

Who will be sick in their hair first?

Me and Laura... we'll be sick simultaneously.

What was the coolest scene you got to shoot this series?

I got to do a little bit of wirework which was great. I had to wear a leather harness and got hoiked up into the air... great fun.

I also loved doing stuff with Laura and Jamie. We're like the Three Musketeers in a Fabulous Five styley!

What are you up to after filming has finished?

I'm in a film called Kinky Boots which is released on the 7th of October.

... no holiday plans?

I'm really bad at going away. Plus all my friends will be at uni or working. Though I'd like to take a long weekend in New York sometime.

Has your character developed since the first series?

She's developed loads because she's on her own and grieving. She's got some quite dark stuff to go through and then she has to make this alliance with Ella who she doesn't like at first.

It's darker this time but Thelma is still Thelma. We've just shot some scenes and yeah, it does get pretty dark despite Thelma still being a clown.

How many people do you get to snog in this series?

Y'know something... 1. There's some pecks so maybe 2 at a stretch.

What was your favourite scene from the first series?

I think there's quite a lot of stuff in the final episode where Christina and I had some nice scenes. I liked it when Thelma rings up the Samaritans.

Brian (the Director) wouldn't tell me what happened at the wrap party for series 1..?

Wouldn't he? Well, I split my trousers and decided to show everyone, including the bosses at Sony, my arse.

Oh yes, much alcohol was consumed and they showed an out-take film with Michael in his Nephilim outfit wiggling his arse in front of a green screen. Brilliant.

Jamie plays cocky tyke Leon in Hex. He spills the beans on snogging blokes, dressing up as a lady and getting tied up to foliage.

Has it been as hectic as it was filming the first season?

More so, I think much more. Obviously it's longer and for me personally I've got more to do. There's action sequences and emotional storylines. The show's a lot more full on.

There are a lot more special effects in this season, have you had a lot of blue screen stuff?

Green screen quite a bit. Ranging from a huge Jenga game which wobbles this way and that, to monsters and fairies.

How was that?

It was hard initially as it's the first time done anything of a fantasy nature but they talk you through it.

Has your character developed from the first series?

Massively. You pick the story up from episode 1 of the second series and you have the same boy you remember from series 1. He's still young and uses his arrogance to cover his vulnerability, he's more contrived so that he can be in with the cool crowd.

Series 2 is a rites of passage for Leon though, he falls in love with Ella, loses the veneer and becomes a lot more honest.

How many people do you get to snog in this series?

1, 2... there are 2 and a run in with a Nephelim monster, he slimes down my face which could count as a snog.

I hear they played a prank on you onset and you ended up kissing the Prop Master

Yes, that was Jay. Jay was the most attractive out of all of them and he was the best kisser.

I hear you get to dress up as a...

Oh, here we go. Dressing up as a woman was a delight. I read the script and knew it was going to be hilarious, I was up for that. I found a new respect for women what with the hair, lip gloss and tights... man, what is that about?

(In the background Jemima Rooper is doing something to distract Jamie)

Look what she's doing! Jemima mimes masturbation and laughs impishly. Put that in.

You said in the Making of Hex that it wasn't the first time you'd been tied to a tree.

Erm, yeah, I slightly embellished that bit.

For that scene they tied me to a tree on my birthday, in the freezing cold, it was one of those moments where you think 'This is no occupation for a grown-up'.

What are you up to after filming finishes?

I've got a holiday booked with my girlfriend, we're going to the Maldives for two weeks.

What's your favourite scene from the first series?

I really liked the scene when I was trying to kiss Cassie and I ran after her down a corridor and all the electrics spark, I think that looked good.

The British supernatural drama Hex has unleashed a series of surprising new developments in its revamped second season. New castmembers Laura Pyper (Ella) and Joseph Beattie (Malachi) reveal all...

As newcomers to Hex, how much have you enjoyed working on the series so far?

Pyper: It's been lovely. Most of the actors who were here last year have been very welcoming. I've really enjoyed it.

Beattie: I started working on the show a few episodes into the season. I was the new boy trying to fit in for a while. That was good for my portrayal of the character, because he starts school late and he's surrounded by students who already have existing relationships. Working on the show has been a great experience. Every episode has given us something new and exciting to do.

How would you describe Ella's relationship with Malachi?

Beattie: Well, it starts off pretty badly.

Pyper: My character is supposed to kill Malachi! That's why I'm here.

Beattie: So it's difficult to win her around after that.

Pyper: Our characters go through many twists and turns together. It's a feisty relationship.

Joseph, weren't you in the running for a different role in season one?

Beattie: I auditioned for Troy. It's amazing how things have worked out, because this part is kick ass! It's kind of a rock 'n' roll part – he's a leather clad, dark, brooding demon child. This is boys' own stuff you dream of doing as a kid, when you're playing air guitar in your room!

Laura, what's it like to play a 600-year-old character who looks like a teenager?

Pyper: It's quite interesting. She's got a lot of attitude and she's quite a strong character, but sometimes you do see that 17-year-old peeping through. She has a young side to her.