Mystery McQueen death interview
Thursday 16 October
We caught up with the McQueen sister that dies in the church explosion to bring you this exclusive interview!
If you saw tonight's E4 episode then you'll know that the unfortunate McQueen sister that doesn't survive the explosion is Tina! For those of you who haven't seen it, you obviously couldn't wait a minute longer and decided to read this interview anyway, so enjoy!
Leah, you're leaving storyline has been so exciting to watch, were you excited when you found out about it?
Yes, definitely. I just told the producers that I wanted to leave but I said that I'd be happy to stay on for a bit longer if it meant that I got a good exit storyline, which obviously this is.
When I found out what the storyline was and who was directing it I was really excited, especially because it involved all of the McQueens. It was great to be able to say goodbye to everyone because unless it's a big storyline people tend to leave in the back of a taxi whereas this really was like saying goodbye to my family because we did it all on location, and it was great fun and the scripts were great too.
Yes, definitely. I just told the producers that I wanted to leave but I said that I'd be happy to stay on for a bit longer if it meant that I got a good exit storyline, which obviously this is.
When I found out what the storyline was and who was directing it I was really excited, especially because it involved all of the McQueens. It was great to be able to say goodbye to everyone because unless it's a big storyline people tend to leave in the back of a taxi whereas this really was like saying goodbye to my family because we did it all on location, and it was great fun and the scripts were great too.
Why did you decided to leave HOLLYOAKS?
Just to try something new really. It's so comfortable here and everyone is so lovely but I've just turned 23 and I don't want to play one character my entire life, I want to have a go at something else. It's really difficult to leave though.
Just to try something new really. It's so comfortable here and everyone is so lovely but I've just turned 23 and I don't want to play one character my entire life, I want to have a go at something else. It's really difficult to leave though.
What was it like filming your final scenes?
Tina's death scenes were quite weird really because on location you are up against time but they were really very emotional. It's weird to think that I've killed a character because I've chosen to leave, that character no longer exists and it affects all these other characters. You can't help but think that if I hadn't decided to leave my character would probably have walked out with a broken arm or something. Everyone worked so hard and I think we will all be pleased with the final result.
Tina's death scenes were quite weird really because on location you are up against time but they were really very emotional. It's weird to think that I've killed a character because I've chosen to leave, that character no longer exists and it affects all these other characters. You can't help but think that if I hadn't decided to leave my character would probably have walked out with a broken arm or something. Everyone worked so hard and I think we will all be pleased with the final result.
What sort of effect is Tina's death going to have on the rest of the McQueens?
I think that they will all deal with it differently. It's a shame that in the weeks leading up to her death there has been so much negativity towards her, albeit rightly so, because of the decisions she has made. There is a moment where Dom comes in to the church to look for her and says that nothing matters and that they can sort everything out. You never know it might have happened because when you are placed in a situation like that it can make you realise how much that someone means to you.
I'm not really sure what happens to Dom although I think he does go through a massive range of emotions, which no doubt includes really hating Tina at some point, and I think a similar thing happens to Jacqui too. I think Michaela really misses her and the others all go through different phases too..of course there is always a constant reminder in the form of baby Max. Obviously she is quite young and it's a sad life to lose, she wasn't a horrible person and she didn’t deserve to die. I think they will all miss her.
I think that they will all deal with it differently. It's a shame that in the weeks leading up to her death there has been so much negativity towards her, albeit rightly so, because of the decisions she has made. There is a moment where Dom comes in to the church to look for her and says that nothing matters and that they can sort everything out. You never know it might have happened because when you are placed in a situation like that it can make you realise how much that someone means to you.
I'm not really sure what happens to Dom although I think he does go through a massive range of emotions, which no doubt includes really hating Tina at some point, and I think a similar thing happens to Jacqui too. I think Michaela really misses her and the others all go through different phases too..of course there is always a constant reminder in the form of baby Max. Obviously she is quite young and it's a sad life to lose, she wasn't a horrible person and she didn’t deserve to die. I think they will all miss her.
Who do you think will be most affected by Tina's death?
I would say Dom and maybe Russ as well because the day when she ends up getting kidnapped they have had a massive argument and she hears him saying that he only slept with her because he felt sorry for her. They are his final words to her before she dies so I think maybe he will feel quite remorseful.
I think Dom because so much has happened I think if you knew that someone was going to die, even if you don’t think you are going to be together, you would want to leave on good terms. I suppose the scene where they are in the crypt and she is dying kind of fulfils this so maybe that will be enough for him to move on.
I would say Dom and maybe Russ as well because the day when she ends up getting kidnapped they have had a massive argument and she hears him saying that he only slept with her because he felt sorry for her. They are his final words to her before she dies so I think maybe he will feel quite remorseful.
I think Dom because so much has happened I think if you knew that someone was going to die, even if you don’t think you are going to be together, you would want to leave on good terms. I suppose the scene where they are in the crypt and she is dying kind of fulfils this so maybe that will be enough for him to move on.
What will happen to baby Max now Tina has died?
I'm not sure to be honest. I think Jacqui is going to have him for a while and then I think he goes to Russ. I think he should go to Russ but it is understandable that the McQueens want to keep hold of him too as he is a link to Tina.
I'm not sure to be honest. I think Jacqui is going to have him for a while and then I think he goes to Russ. I think he should go to Russ but it is understandable that the McQueens want to keep hold of him too as he is a link to Tina.
How was your last day at HOLLYOAKS?
It was really weird because we filmed all of the dying scenes on location a few weeks earlier so it sort of felt like I'd left anyway. We did all the big, emotionally intense scenes so then we were just doing little pick up ones like Tina walking through the village. It's weird to know that we have filmed all this and where it is leading. In my last scene we were doing a bit of a fantasy scene where Dom is imagining Tina and it's quite nice as it meant that our last scenes together were not shouting at one another.
It was really weird because we filmed all of the dying scenes on location a few weeks earlier so it sort of felt like I'd left anyway. We did all the big, emotionally intense scenes so then we were just doing little pick up ones like Tina walking through the village. It's weird to know that we have filmed all this and where it is leading. In my last scene we were doing a bit of a fantasy scene where Dom is imagining Tina and it's quite nice as it meant that our last scenes together were not shouting at one another.
Who are you going to miss the most?
I think I have to say John (Pickard) who plays Dom as I have spent so much time with him. I think people underestimate what it's like to arrive here not knowing anyone and then find a really strong scene partner. I'll obviously miss the whole McQueen family but we don't live far away from each other so I expect they will still be knocking on my door. Everyone's lovely but I plan to crash all the work parties so that I can still see them all!
I think I have to say John (Pickard) who plays Dom as I have spent so much time with him. I think people underestimate what it's like to arrive here not knowing anyone and then find a really strong scene partner. I'll obviously miss the whole McQueen family but we don't live far away from each other so I expect they will still be knocking on my door. Everyone's lovely but I plan to crash all the work parties so that I can still see them all!
What are your plans for the future?
I've got a massive long list of things to do for September from going on holiday, to having loads of meetings, and painting my living room. You get so swept away being in HOLLYOAKS that you put everything else to one side so I just want to get back on track. Then I just want to try playing new characters and hopefully I won’t play a geek forever!
To see all the pictures from the church explosion, including Tina's death then click here.
Check out Leah's cast profile to reminisce over Tina's time in HOLLYOAKS.
I've got a massive long list of things to do for September from going on holiday, to having loads of meetings, and painting my living room. You get so swept away being in HOLLYOAKS that you put everything else to one side so I just want to get back on track. Then I just want to try playing new characters and hopefully I won’t play a geek forever!
To see all the pictures from the church explosion, including Tina's death then click here.
Check out Leah's cast profile to reminisce over Tina's time in HOLLYOAKS.
