New Street Law – second series coming soon to 91Èȱ¬ One
Lisa Faulkner plays Laura Scammell
Have you found that you're able to reel off legal jargon with ease now that New Street Law is in its second series?
Ìý
I didn't find it that much of a problem, really – it's a bit like when I was a doctor in Holby City because you just have to say the words.
Ìý
The best thing is just to say it and not think about it too much. I don't understand what I'm saying half the time; there's a lot of legal jargon that doesn't make sense to me.
Ìý
I always ask the legal advisor about phrases that I don't understand, so it's not a problem.
Ìý
How does Laura find the defence chambers?
Ìý
I think Laura thought being a defence lawyer was going to be very different from prosecution, but it's not. You're still fighting battles for people you don't necessarily want to fight for. I think she's found it more of a struggle than she initially thought it would be, but she's gained a lot of confidence.
Ìý
Laura and Annie had a bit of a strange relationship to start with, but now they have a grudging respect for each other.
Ìý
How do you think Laura felt about defecting to Jack's chambers?
Ìý
I think she really wanted to go, though she questioned it to begin with. But defence is where her strengths lie.
Ìý
I don't think the feud between Laura and her mother will defuse anytime soon, so it was probably the best move for her – to branch out on her own and fight for what she believes in.
Ìý
She's very passionate about what she does and she doesn't appreciate interference and dictation from her mother.
Ìý
They're very similar to each other and I think that Honor sees Laura making the same sort of mistakes that she did. It all comes out of love.
Ìý
How do you think your character has evolved since the first series?
Ìý
I think she's grown more confident and is slightly more relaxed – possibly because she's not under her father's wing any more. Now she's able to be herself. She's also away from her mother and is able to do things her own way without being judged.
Ìý
How would you describe Laura's relationship with Jack?
Ìý
I think she's in love with Jack – although I don't think she knows it at the beginning. There's a bombshell for Laura in the last episode which could spell the end of her and Jack's relationship altogether, but I don't know how she'll cope with it.
Ìý
Did you receive any feedback after the first series from real-life barristers?
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Funnily enough, I had feedback from a group of lawyers in a pub. They told me that they liked the show and thought it was pretty realistic.
Ìý
Do you enjoy the topicality of the court cases that you get? Do you ever look to the end of the script to see who wins?
Ìý
It's always very interesting getting a new script – I love it when you can't turn the page quick enough to find out what happens next.
Ìý
I've come to a few sticky ends in Spooks and Holby City, but I don't usually look to the end of a script to see what happens!
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