Yahoo News Ackley Bridge stars discuss "traumatic" twist from episode 2
Note: The following article contains spoilers for Ackley Bridge series 3, episode 2.
The cast of Ackley Bridge are weighing in on the tragic twist in the rift between Missy and Nas.
When the two friends had a surprising row on their Oxford trip in the series premiere last week, it seemed impossible to imagine that their bad blood would foster all-out hostility between the white and Asian kids in the school.
That's exactly what happened in Tuesday's episode (June 25), following heart-wrenching scenes with fan-favourite character Missy being killed off as a result of the car crash.
Amy-Leigh Hickman (Nas) and Poppy Lee Friar (Missy) have since spoken out about the tragic turn of events, with both taking viewers through what it was like to film Missy's tragic demise.
"It was hard having to film those scenes because Poppy really was leaving the show," Amy-Leigh told us. "It felt a little close to the bone because it really was the end of Missy and Nas!
"Therefore, there was a lot of truth within what we were producing as we knew how much we really were going to miss each other. Friendship is the most important thing to Nas which is something I can strongly relate too."
Poppy Lee concurred: "It’s very sad and traumatising for the characters as well as fans! It’s always sad saying goodbye to a character you’ve played but they always stay in your heart, so Missy is alive forever within me.
"I adored playing her. Such a rich character, fun, emotional, witty, sassy, strong, loving and lovable. It was emotional filming the last scenes because you’re leaving behind your on-set family that you’ve grown so close to over the years."
Amy-Leigh singled out one particular moment from the episode as being particularly powerful to film.
"It was for sure the last time you see Missy and Nas together on the skip at the end of episode two (taking place in Nas’s imagination)," she explained. "It was such a beautifully written scene that really resonated with both me and Poppy."
Asked about her most vivid memory from filming her final episode, Poppy Lee agreed with he co-star: "The most emotional scene I think for me was the last time Amy and I filmed on the skip.
"We’d come full circle and it is iconic of their friendship so it has so much meaning. Everything happened up there, laughs, confessions, tears, gossip!"
She summed up her time on the Channel 4 teen drama by stressing: "Ackley Bridge has meant a great deal. I’ve worked with exceptionally lovely, talented people, in beautiful Yorkshire, playing a character that was a joy to perform every day. The show has touched the hearts of audiences and I feel very lucky and proud to have been a part of it."
Ackley Bridge now moves in a new direction as Nas both mourns her friend and tries to move on with her life as she bridges the gap from adolescence to adulthood.
"I always feel a sense of responsibility as I love and care for the show so much," Amy-Leigh assured us. "It has a special place in my heart and always will. I as myself just like Nas, had to find my place without Poppy just like Nas did without Missy.
"Luckily the entire cast and crew are super close and there is such a family feel within the job. Sunetra [Sarker] and Jo [Joyner], who play Kaneez and Mandy, were amazingly helpful throughout the whole process as they are good friends of mine in real life too."
Ackley Bridge continues on Tuesdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
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