Q&A with Aggy K. Adams who plays Mia Eldegard

Why should people watch series two? 

People should watch series two if they want to expand their perception and perspective into something unknown. They can go on a journey without travelling from their couch and see someone else's story and observe people who are not necessarily like them.

I love series one, but I think we're so much better…. I'm joking of course! However, series two is darker and is a bit more psychological as opposed to action-led.

What was it about the role of Mia that appealed to you? 

I fell in love with Mia the minute I read the script. I thought she's a great, complex character with so many different layers. She's also the most challenging character I've ever played because of everything that has happened to her and the most multi-layered.  It was joy to keep reading the script because the options were infinite of how I could play her.

What can you tell us about Mia’s story arc across this series? 

Mia hasn't had an easy life, and it doesn't get easier for her when she gets to Leeds. She is portrayed in the series as a very mysterious character and reveals her story gradually. She's alone, an outsider and a survivor of an abusive relationship, which left her reeling from serious consequences. In trying to figure out who she is and connect to people, she's stripping off many layers and trying different things, so you don't quite know what she's doing and why and I'd like to keep it that way.

I feel her story teaches us that things are not just black and white, which is very important today. She's not just good or bad. She does things that are questionable, and she does things that can hurt other people, but she has a beautiful heart. I also hope that her story will teach us empathy and inclusivity. 

What do you think draws Mia to Charlotte? 

Mia loves Charlotte from the very beginning. It's almost like someone she aspires to be. Charlotte has a life that Mia craves. They share a lot of characteristics; they're both very smart, very driven and very quick. Charlotte mirrors her emotionally so she's drawn to that. 

Given this is a completely new story - did it still feel like you were joining an existing show or a completely new one?

There’s not a lot of actors from the last series on series two, so I didn't feel like we were joining an existing show because the energy was different. We're all quite new in this and it's a new story.

What was observing real life heart surgery like? Did anything surprise you?

Observing open heart surgery was the most exhilarating, incredible experience that I've had. When I saw someone be open for the first time, I cried. But it was very emotional and poetic for me.

I've attended two open heart surgeries, so by the second one, I was a lot more focused and in medical mode. To see how we look like inside and learn what to do and what not to do and how to look after your heart, was life changing. And I'm so grateful that this role has allowed me to experience that.

What have been your favourite scenes to film so far? 

I really loved the ballroom scene. It was very challenging for lots of reasons but what they've created was out of this world. The team is incredible. Honestly, every scene is joyous. 

What have been your least favourite and/or the most challenging scenes to film? 

We were still figuring things out when we suddenly had to film outside in the snow for two weeks in the Netherlands, with temperatures around minus two degrees. The snow wasn't expected, so the art department had to deal with defrosting everything. They used lamps to melt the snow but it was too cold. Some snow had to be removed in post-production. We weren't ready for snow in early November!