ANDREW MOSS INTERVIEW
Monday 21 April
We caught up with Andrew Moss (Rhys) to chat about his incest storyline and what the future holds for Rhys.
Monday 21 April
We caught up with Andrew Moss (Rhys) to chat about his incest storyline and what the future holds for Rhys.
What did you think of the Rhys and Beth storyline when you heard about it?
It was really shocking at first of course but as an actor it's fantastic to get something so meaty that you can get stuck in to. Bryan (Bryan Kirkwood – HOLLYOAKS Producer) kept the storyline from us for as long as possible so I knew they were casting for someone called Beth but I didn't realise she was going to be my sister. We were both really excited when we found out.
Did you have to do any research for the storyline?
Well obviously I didn't go creeping into my sister's bedroom at night or anything like that! I did watch some tapes of other soaps covering this type of storyline but HOLLYOAKS put it's own slant on it anyway as Rhys and Beth are only half brother and sister so they weren't totally relevant. It's not really the sort of storyline you can research, you just have to go for it and see what happens.
It was really shocking at first of course but as an actor it's fantastic to get something so meaty that you can get stuck in to. Bryan (Bryan Kirkwood – HOLLYOAKS Producer) kept the storyline from us for as long as possible so I knew they were casting for someone called Beth but I didn't realise she was going to be my sister. We were both really excited when we found out.
Did you have to do any research for the storyline?
Well obviously I didn't go creeping into my sister's bedroom at night or anything like that! I did watch some tapes of other soaps covering this type of storyline but HOLLYOAKS put it's own slant on it anyway as Rhys and Beth are only half brother and sister so they weren't totally relevant. It's not really the sort of storyline you can research, you just have to go for it and see what happens.
Were you worried about the response you would get from the fans?
I think the anorexia storyline really redeemed the character of Rhys as it was the first time we had really seen his softer side and how important his family is to him. I suppose I was a bit concerned that this would all be undone and that it would be straight back to sulky Rhys again but there are so many emotions in the storyline that I don't think this was the case really. I was a bit concerned when some of the fans on the forum were saying they wanted Rhys and Beth to get together….its illegal!
Which side of Rhys do you enjoy playing more, the womaniser or the caring brother?
Bad Rhys is definitely more fun to play but I think the scenes during the anorexia storyline were definitely some of the best I have had on HOLLYOAKS so far. While sleeping with your girlfriend's mum is fun to play, the situation with Hannah was a real life situation and more believable I think. It was still good to get back to the old petulant Rhys though.
I think the anorexia storyline really redeemed the character of Rhys as it was the first time we had really seen his softer side and how important his family is to him. I suppose I was a bit concerned that this would all be undone and that it would be straight back to sulky Rhys again but there are so many emotions in the storyline that I don't think this was the case really. I was a bit concerned when some of the fans on the forum were saying they wanted Rhys and Beth to get together….its illegal!
Which side of Rhys do you enjoy playing more, the womaniser or the caring brother?
Bad Rhys is definitely more fun to play but I think the scenes during the anorexia storyline were definitely some of the best I have had on HOLLYOAKS so far. While sleeping with your girlfriend's mum is fun to play, the situation with Hannah was a real life situation and more believable I think. It was still good to get back to the old petulant Rhys though.
The scene where Gilly attacks Rhys is pretty full on. What was it like filming this?
We had a stunt co-ordinator who padded us up so that impact of the initial fall was softened. Unfortunately we got a bit carried away on the first take and I fell and really hurt my coccyx. I think it looks so realistic because I was genuinely in so much pain!
What about the crash? Did you have a stunt double?
No, no double I do all my own stunts! Obviously the truck couldn't really drive towards us for safety reasons so the hardest thing was getting the timing right and creating our own force of impact without actually feeling anything. The scariest thing was that it was a night shoot at Knowsley Safari Park and on the way out I managed to get lost round the animal enclosures. I had to be rescued by a security guard!
We had a stunt co-ordinator who padded us up so that impact of the initial fall was softened. Unfortunately we got a bit carried away on the first take and I fell and really hurt my coccyx. I think it looks so realistic because I was genuinely in so much pain!
What about the crash? Did you have a stunt double?
No, no double I do all my own stunts! Obviously the truck couldn't really drive towards us for safety reasons so the hardest thing was getting the timing right and creating our own force of impact without actually feeling anything. The scariest thing was that it was a night shoot at Knowsley Safari Park and on the way out I managed to get lost round the animal enclosures. I had to be rescued by a security guard!
Rhys has been a pretty bad friend to Gilly at times in the past. Do you think this will mark the end of their friendship?
Rhys has been awful to Gilly pretty much from the day he arrived! I do think they have a special bond though-the relationship is more like brothers than mates. I hope they will be able to repair their friendship eventually.
Lots of the fans have sympathised with Rhys and Beth because they met before they knew they were related. Do you have any sympathy for Rhys?
He'd been through a really difficult patch with Hannah's anorexia and when he met Beth he wasn't expecting to fall in love. Of course when they found out about being brother and sister they should have ended the relationship but I suppose the course of true love never runs smoothly. I do feel sorry for him...and Gilly of course.
Rhys has been awful to Gilly pretty much from the day he arrived! I do think they have a special bond though-the relationship is more like brothers than mates. I hope they will be able to repair their friendship eventually.
Lots of the fans have sympathised with Rhys and Beth because they met before they knew they were related. Do you have any sympathy for Rhys?
He'd been through a really difficult patch with Hannah's anorexia and when he met Beth he wasn't expecting to fall in love. Of course when they found out about being brother and sister they should have ended the relationship but I suppose the course of true love never runs smoothly. I do feel sorry for him...and Gilly of course.
Do you think Rhys genuinely liked Mercedes or was he using her?
I think Rhys and Mercedes are the two people in the village most able for one another. To begin with Rhys was using her for sex and as a way of getting over Beth but as they became closer I think it was more than that. If it hadn't been for Beth I think Rhys could have fallen in love with Mercedes...maybe he still will!
Do you think Josh and Hannah will forgive Rhys?
They better had do! Rhys was pretty nasty to Josh when he accused him of making up stories about his relationship with Beth, even though he could see how upset Josh was. I do think in time they will be ok though. Although this storyline is quiet extreme the Ashworth's are one of the more 'normal' families in the village. As for Hannah I think she and Rhys will always have a strong bond after her illness.
I think Rhys and Mercedes are the two people in the village most able for one another. To begin with Rhys was using her for sex and as a way of getting over Beth but as they became closer I think it was more than that. If it hadn't been for Beth I think Rhys could have fallen in love with Mercedes...maybe he still will!
Do you think Josh and Hannah will forgive Rhys?
They better had do! Rhys was pretty nasty to Josh when he accused him of making up stories about his relationship with Beth, even though he could see how upset Josh was. I do think in time they will be ok though. Although this storyline is quiet extreme the Ashworth's are one of the more 'normal' families in the village. As for Hannah I think she and Rhys will always have a strong bond after her illness.
What does the future hold for Rhys now?
I wish I knew! Hopefully he will be able to pick himself up with the support of his family and best mate behind him. I just want him to be happy...who knows!
If you want to find out more about Rhys then have a look at his cast profile.
I wish I knew! Hopefully he will be able to pick himself up with the support of his family and best mate behind him. I just want him to be happy...who knows!
If you want to find out more about Rhys then have a look at his cast profile.
VIDEO SPOILERS - Watch the video spoilers for upcoming episodes.
CAST- Find out about the cast by reading their cast profiles.
PICTURES - Check all the pictures from the world of HOLLYOAKS.
CAST- Find out about the cast by reading their cast profiles.
PICTURES - Check all the pictures from the world of HOLLYOAKS.
