Hollyoaks teen Peri Lomax has taken centre stage in a big storyline this week with the revelation that she is ten weeks pregnant.
The schoolgirl, who is turning 15 this week, slept with her boyfriend Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) late last year, and the young couple are now facing the consequences of not using protection.
Hollyoaks is airing the storyline as part of its Year of Safe Sex, which will be promoted by the Channel 4 soap in issue-based plots airing across 2015.
Digital Spy recently chatted to Ruby O'Donnell, who plays Peri, to hear her thoughts on the storyline in one of her first interviews since joining Hollyoaks.
How do you feel about taking on this story for Peri?
"I'm very honoured to be given such an amazing storyline. It's obviously very hard to tackle, so I'm very privileged to have the opportunity to make it the best that I can.
"When I was first told about the story, I was nervous and didn't know what to expect, but then I had a lot of meetings about it with the show's executive producer Bryan Kirkwood, the storyliners and the other producers. They explained it to me and made me feel a lot more comfortable about it. Now I've got into it, I'm very excited about the storyline and I'm really enjoying doing it."
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How is Peri going to cope with this situation?
"Obviously Peri is very shocked about it and very emotional. She only slept with Tom once, so it's not something that she ever expected to happen, even though once is all it takes! Peri is also worried about what will happen if people find out, so at first she tries to hide it and doesn't want to tell anyone - especially her parents."
Leela has been in this situation herself, so is there a part of Peri that knows her mum could possibly be understanding?
"At the start, Peri doesn't think about that. I suppose anyone's reaction would be not wanting their parents to know, and Peri worries that she'll be in trouble if the truth comes out. She doesn't really think about how Leela had got pregnant at a young age herself. There's also a part of Peri that thinks if she doesn't talk about it, the situation will just go away."
Are Peri and Tom united over this, or do they each feel differently about it?
"It's definitely going to affect their relationship, because it's such a massive thing to happen and they are both very young. They each have different views on it, too. Peri's initial reaction is that she doesn't want to keep the baby, but Tom sees a different side of it and thinks they could possibly start a family together. So they do disagree on how they should handle it."
With Hollyoaks promoting safe sex throughout its 20th anniversary year, do you hope Peri's storyline can make a positive impact?
"Definitely. It's a big responsibility to have been given this storyline, because obviously a lot of girls at Peri's age are doing the kinds of things that Peri and Tom have done together. We're producing some online content to support the storyline, which will help to raise awareness of the issues we're dealing with. The storyline hopefully shows girls out there that other people go through this, they're not alone and there are people who will support them."
How supportive have Hollyoaks been to you?
"Everyone has been so supportive - especially Bryan and the storyliners. In the meetings we've had, they've explained exactly what's going to be happening and how we're going to explore the storyline. They've been brilliant and have really helped me with it."
If Peri keeps the baby, how would you feel about having to wear a bump?
"I'd feel very strange - I guess anyone would! (Laughs.) But at least it'd keep me warm!"
Have any of the scenes been a challenge?
"Oh, definitely - some of the scenes have been hard to tackle because I am still quite young and I've had to do a lot of research for them. I am younger than Peri, as she is just turning 15 and I'm only 14 myself. So I've done the research to help with my performances and to find out how teenagers actually do react in these situations."
Do you think Peri and Tom rushed into an adult relationship too soon?
"Definitely, because they weren't expecting to do it together - Tom was comforting Peri and one thing led to another. They have rushed into an adult relationship, which has obviously led to something they never would have expected with Peri getting pregnant. They do feel out of their depth now, and probably more like children than they ever have done!"
What is Ellis Hollins like to work with?
"He's brilliant. He's so professional and I love working with him - I couldn't ask for anyone better to have scenes with. We work really well together and we both had similar reactions when we first heard about this storyline, so he's been really helpful with everything.
"Ellis has been with the show for a long time so when we're on set, he definitely does give me a lot of advice to help me!"
Are you close with your on-screen family - Kirsty, Jessica and Kieron?
"Yeah, I'm so close to every single one of them! They are all amazing actresses and actors themselves, which has definitely helped me to improve my own skills. I've taken some of what they do into consideration and put that into my scenes."
It'll also be nice to see Cameron back in the mix before too long...
"Definitely - I love Peri and Cameron scenes! They're so cute together and I love working with Cameron Moore. He's so funny, so amazing and such a brilliant actor himself. I'm very excited for all of their scenes coming up."
How do you balance Hollyoaks with schoolwork?
"It can be very hard sometimes, but I do have a brilliant tutor who is very flexible, and we balance out the hours between schoolwork and Hollyoaks. I do still go to school as well, which is something a lot of people ask me - whether I still go to school or not! We do find a way to make it all work."
Are your friends fans of the show?
"Yeah, all my friends are addicted to Hollyoaks, it's their favourite thing ever! When I got the job of Peri, they couldn't believe it and they were really excited for me."
Does acting run in the family?
"I'm not the first person in my family to act, because my little brother used to do modelling, auditions and adverts. Then because he did it and has been very successful, I started to be interested in it myself. I started going to stage school which then got me the audition for my agency. I fell in love with acting from then on!"
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Hollyoaks airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
