Interview with Ella Maisy Purvis (Patience)

How does it feel to be back playing Patience?

It’s like getting into a bed with fresh sheets on a rainy winter night. All the candles are lit, fairy lights are up and I'm wearing my favourite cosy pyjamas,but there is a brewing storm outside. Meaning, It's comforting but that’s not to say it isn't quietly thrilling. Season two is jam packed with action and tension, and I was bursting at the seams to delve back into her world.

How did it feel last season when the series became so popular?

It's hard to comment because we believe so much in the show, but you forget until the end of a shoot that it isn’t just for the cast and crew, it eventually has to be let free into the world. I am just so happy that it has been received with the same love we felt for it when we were making it.

Can you describe how things have changed for Patience since we last met her? Give us a little about her background and where we find her as the first episode of S2 lands...

We end the series with Patience discovering a string of numbers that her mother left her on a prized himitsu baku box, a puzzle she's been trying to solve throughout the series. Patience has been ruminating and obsessing over these numbers for several weeks as she continues her work with York Police. DI Metcalf, to her knowledge, is on leave, which allows Patience to strengthen her relationship with Jake, in particular, but also Will and Baxter. But with the news Bea isn’t coming back, Patience clings to the mystery of her mother, her world in quiet turmoil and her confidence knocked.

Patience has to get used to a new regime under Frankie? How does this impact her life in the office?

Patience is fuelled by routine and structure. In series one she pushes herself out of her comfort zone with Bea and is luckily nurtured by her fascination with Patience's way of viewing the world. Frankie bursts in and ironically has no Patience for her. She is harsh and somewhat brutal towards Patience who is in comparison gentle, but interestingly as much as it affronts her, Patience doesn't take no for an answer and pushes back with her findings on the first case. This defiance earns her respect from Frankie, who slowly realises Patience isn't one to be brushed aside. This new dynamic strengthens the older brother dynamic she builds with Jake, who has grown from being wary of Patience, to furiously protective over her. When art imitates life. Although Nathan has never been wary of me.... I think.

Tonally how would you describe S2 of Patience? How do you feel it is different from S1? What can viewers look forward to?

Visually, because this season is set in the warmer months, the colours and costumes are brighter and lighter. Patience, as she has grown in confidence, sheds some layers so to speak and I guess I have as an actor as well! It feels as though season two has been injected with a different sort of zest that season one had. I think most of that spunk was delivered by Jessica, who brings a real sharp humour and boldness to Frankie, whilst managing to really connect to the tenderness that is her commitment to the York Police. Also, Elliot and Patience's relationship is really tested this season. For me, it’s what I look forward to seeing the most on screen.

How has it been being back with the cast? 

I’m just so lucky to have the likes of Nathan, Ali, Mark and Tom on side. We are great buddies off screen, which is beautiful, but it makes getting through takes near impossible. Filming the big information group scenes in the police station at the end of the day was tough. Really Tough. And I can’t keep a straight face, which doesn’t help when the ca era is mostly on you... Working and getting to know Jessica was also beautiful! She slotted right into our little gang perfectly, unlike Frankie....

Although not our focus this series people will still be interested in the neurodiversity storyline that sits at the heart of the story. How important is it to you that neurodiverse actors play neurodiverse roles? 

I’ll shout this from the rooftops until the day I die but authentically casting a role will only enhance a show/film/play/job/anything really! There are no downsides. And it’s not just about the actors, it’s about the writers, producers, costume assistants, gaffers, everyone really! Making a TV show, and not just the final product, is a statement in itself, so making sure underrepresented voices are being heard in all areas is key.

What were the challenges - if any - that you experienced this series?

The great thing with the second series is that I felt so much more confident in myself. I got the lay of the land in series one, created some really meaningful friendships and just got to know Belgium better, which is where we filmed a portion of the series. It’s a long old shoot though, and it’s easy to run out of steam quickly, but again being surrounded by friends quickly washes all of that away. I will always miss my cat though, but luckily I’ll get close to 50 pictures of her sitting, sleeping, eating, sitting, sleeping and sleeping each day.

What are your most memorable moments in front of the camera? This can be anecdotal - funny moments or challenging moments..

Well, I always look forward to the days where we have animals on set. Patience has a beautiful ginger cat, several mice and a bearded dragon. The cat, Milo, knows how to shake his paw, tap on your phone, and lie down! But obviously, you can’t really train a cat. Because cats answer to no one, there were many improv moments and a lot of the time Patience was deeply upset or moved, and I often heard a little chuckle from Maarten our director because the cat had decided to lick its bum mid take.

You were shooting in both Belgium and York. What did you like best about both places?
Any specific memories you'd like to share this time? 

We were so lucky to film in THE York Minster this season. It was so surreal to have it to ourselves. It’s a magnificent building, and the story that envelops the Minster really added to that sense of awe. One thing about season two is it’s more hands on. It’s got a lot more action....

Tell us about Patience's relationships with some of the other characters in particular Frankie, Elliot and Jake?

Frankie literally bursts into the office, motorcycle helmet in hand and raring to go. We learn that they’ve actually met before... well, collided. What’s great is that they are actually quite similar in their communication style, although Frankie is harsher and possibly cruder, Patience does secretly appreciate how she wears her heart on her sleeve. You know where you are with Frankie. But Frankie doesn’t really know where she is with Patience, which was such a complex dynamic to play with on set. Frankie also plays quite a large role in Patience’s relationship with Elliot, as she is ever the overthinker, acting on logic and reason, Frankie reminds her that love isn’t like that. “It’s about your heart, headphones!” 

As for Elliot, they first meet on a crime scene after some time apart, which I think makes Patience realise how much she adores spending time with him. But of course, there are several miscommunications, and reading things in different ways which means the course of their true love doesn’t run smooth....Ultimately though, he is there in her time of need and he is one of the people she can truly relax around. We get to see that in more depth this season. It’s so gorgeous. Jake has such an interesting arc from last season to this season. They certainly didn’t work well as colleagues last season, let alone friends, but at the end of series one he lets his guard down and can really see Patience for who she is- an asset. He fights for her this season and pushes back on some of the decisions Frankie makes. I’d say they grow quite close, and it was so lovely, as Nathan is such a good friend, we actually get to share some funny and tender moments together. They also team up for a very funny outing to a speed dating night...oh how we laughed.