Rising star Lauren Cornelius is a power to be reckoned with.
The multi-faceted actress and producer has an infectious ardour for storytelling, which is clear throughout the number of tasks she’s been concerned with throughout her profession up to now. With a wealthy background in theatre, movie, and radio, her early profession foundations have been set via her work with the Nationwide Youth Theatre and as a member of Hampstead Theatre’s ‘Warmth&Mild Younger Firm’.
This result in Lauren embarking on various voice appearing alternatives, together with Maggy in BBC Radio 4’s Little Dorrit in addition to taking part in a fan-favourite companion in Physician Who Audio Adventures. Plus, she not too long ago appeared in Name the Midwife and has taken on her first producing function which will likely be launched later this yr.
Most not too long ago, Lauren was a part of Christmas Day tv historical past, starring within the Gavin and Stacey finale, which premiered to 12.3 million viewers on BBC One. Thought to be some of the extremely anticipated sitcom finales, Lauren performed Anna, certainly one of bubbly bridesmaids at Sonia’s hen get together. Within the episode, Anna and the bridesmaids play a recreation of ‘Mr & Mrs’ to check Sonia’s data of Smithy, with some eye-opening outcomes.
We caught up with Lauren to get the lowdown on her superb Gavin and Stacey expertise, in addition to her voice appearing roles, producing, and objectives for 2025.
Congratulations on being part of Christmas Day historical past! Are you able to inform us a little bit bit about your Gavin and Stacey expertise and the audition course of?
I’m a extremely large Gavin and Stacey fan so for me, this was genuinely a dream come true. It was one thing that, as an actor form of working their manner up and, you already know, creating in my profession and tasks that I tackle, it was simply one thing that I by no means ever thought could possibly be potential as a result of it’s such a small solid and it’s fairly a decent knit factor.
I simply bought an availability and a self-tape request, which is fairly commonplace from my agent, again in July and it was only for a BBC comedy, no different particulars. So I did the tape, didn’t actually assume something of it after which came upon that I bought a recall, which was going to be early August. It was solely on the recall stage that I realised it was for Gavin and Stacey. So I auditioned for it with out figuring out what the venture was or what something was! All the pieces up till the learn via was simply all dummy scripts. I believe I used to be studying for a birthday celebration or one thing, so it was very, very totally different to what ended up on air.
Then I went into the recall. I knew that Ruth Jones and Chris Gernon the director have been going to be on the recall however I didn’t know that James Corden was going to be there in order that was a giant shock once I walked in and was like, “oh my goodness, it’s Smithy, Nessa and the director”! I did the second audition with them within the room and from the second I walked in, it was so heat and so welcoming. You may simply inform how a lot love everybody had for it, together with the casting administrators, Lauren and Melissa. Everybody was so excited to be there, together with me – I used to be bouncing off the partitions!
I believe I did the audition on a Monday after which needed to have a extremely agonising wait till the remainder of the week earlier than I bought the decision on the Friday to say that I bought the a part of Anna and I used to be going to be certainly one of Secret Sonia’s Hens, which was so unimaginable. However then clearly I needed to maintain it a secret from the start of August, up till the twenty fifth of December, which was, for me, a giant problem. I’m such a blabbermouth and in addition being a fan, I used to be so enthusiastic about it.
It took each inch of my being to not say it. I saved panicking anytime anybody would speak about it, I felt like I used to be taking part in an actual life recreation of The Traitors! Clearly I knew about Sonia so I used to be guarding a extremely large secret. So with the burden of that, I used to be simply so relieved when she was revealed within the episode. I used to be like, “proper, that’s it, I can, I can simply let go of this secret now” as a result of it’s been the largest secret I’ve ever needed to maintain in my life by far.
Everybody was very, very enthusiastic about this and I can’t recover from how tough it will need to have been for all of you to must maintain the key particularly figuring out that followers have been coming as much as try to catch glimpses of individuals being filmed and issues. Did you faux that you simply have been engaged on a unique job or how did you go about sort of retaining the key that you simply have been concerned?
When it comes to retaining the key, I simply wouldn’t say something about it. I might simply actively keep away from any dialog about Gavin and Stacey, which is bizarre as a result of every time I see one thing in regards to the present on social media, my intuition is to share it. I used to be making an attempt to actually lay off sharing something about it and it wouldn’t have been out of character however I used to be so paranoid that somebody was going to clock one thing. So sure, I used to be actively not making an attempt to attract consideration to something Gavin and Stacey associated within the lead up, actively ignoring something to do with it, which matches fully towards my love and keenness for it as a present.
You have been additionally actually concerned throughout the desk learn – what was that have like?
After I bought the half, I went to the learn via which was superb. James and Ruth did a speech welcoming everybody in and so they have been so heat and pleasant. They acknowledged the brand new members of solid, all of us hens, and I simply thought that was so beautiful as a result of, you already know, we’re in a room stuffed with BBC large wigs and a solid which have recognized one another for nearly 20 years so it was extremely thrilling for me to be there, but additionally massively overwhelming as a result of I’m coming into one thing the place they’re a household. It’s that cliché factor, however that they’re a complete tight knit household, they’re all very shut and have such real love and heat in the direction of one another. So to be welcomed in and acknowledged as part of this learn via of TV historical past was simply such a tremendous day.
I used to be sitting reverse Pam Ferris. I used to be like, “oh my god, I’m reverse Ms. Trunchbull. What the heck? That is loopy”. In order that was actually, actually cool. I’ve been a giant fan of hers for a lot of, a few years, what a tremendous actor. Sadly Sheridan Smith couldn’t be on the learn via so I learn for Rudi. That was a really, very cool expertise as a result of once more, I’ve grown up with the present successfully so I do know her very effectively and bought to do my greatest Rudi impression!
I additionally bought to learn in for Anna Maxwell Martin because the celebrant in order that was a very nice expertise to be totally immersed within the learn via. I believed that was actually cool of them to present me the chance to leap in and it simply massively helped that I used to be a fan of the present as a result of I simply bought the humour, bought the type and was in a position to simply sort of run with it.
What would you say drew the largest gasp throughout the desk learn?
After all, Sonia coming again was a extremely large second in order that was an inevitable gasp. However one of many largest gasps was Gwen and Dave Coaches. That second when Dave is revealed and comes down the steps – everybody, together with me, gasped and screamed.
It was such a tremendous second. I appeared over in the direction of James and Ruth and so they have been form of trying and laughing like college youngsters. They have been so delighted with the response. It was simply such a pleasure to be part of that second and watch that as a result of the entire room erupted. Clearly we didn’t need to disrupt the move of the learn via, nevertheless it was such a notable sort of gasp and only a large ‘oh my god’ second. I don’t assume anybody noticed that coming. So yeah, that was an enormous, big second.
I might say it actually paid off on display as effectively, as a result of as a viewer, I believe it was sort of apparent that Gwen had a secret and I used to be speculating that she had a boyfriend however not as soon as did I believe Dave Coaches was going to come back down the steps! I bear in mind being at house screaming as effectively so I can simply think about what the response would have been like in that room.
And once more, that was one other secret to maintain. I used to be like, oh my god, these maintain piling up, I’ve bought this one now too! However yeah, that was simply an epic twist that we didn’t see coming, an enormous gasp second.
What was your favorite a part of the filming expertise?
The filming came about in early September down in Cardiff and I bear in mind the evening earlier than I couldn’t sleep a wink, I used to be simply so excited. I set about six alarms, however I didn’t want any of them. I wakened at half 4 simply buzzing, simply able to go. We have been on set by six and straight into hair and make-up, which felt actually wild stepping into pretend tan and costume and hair at like six within the morning. It felt like I used to be genuinely preparing for a giant wedding ceremony!
I believe what was very nice about it was all of the forwards and backwards, the automotive journeys from the set and the trailer to the set, since you get to simply have chats with these unimaginable characters, as the actual individuals, after all, the actors, however that was simply actually enjoyable. Simply having early morning gossip and cups of tea within the vehicles with successfully like Stacey, Gwen, Daybreak, Pamela…attending to know everybody as an actor, you already know, having watched all of them for years. It was identical to a pinch me sort of second, right here I’m simply coming to stay this unimaginable story with you all. That was only a actually, very nice spotlight of the day.
Everybody was having the perfect time and all of us had such fun when Damien the stripper was capturing his scene. His entrance and his lap dance with Sonia… it was actually tough to maintain a straight face there as a result of clearly, us hens have been actually not meant to be having fun with it. Stacey, Pamela, Gwen, and Daybreak have been whooping away and dancing, I simply wished to be with them! Damien’s dancing was hilarious, it was a lot enjoyable.
It was a extremely lengthy day, however every little thing about it was simply unimaginable. From begin to end, we had a lot enjoyable, and you can inform that each one the actors have been having a good time. James Corden was there co-directing alongside Chris Gernon the lead director, and he was simply cracking up. He was having a whale of a time. He saved coming over and saying, “that’s good, maintain doing extra of that”. He was actually encouraging – as an actor, clearly you need to keep true to the script and the dialogue, however you additionally need to mess around with it and actually immerse your self on the earth.
I used to be making an attempt just a few various things and he was simply so supportive like, “That’s good. Maintain that vitality up.” so I felt actually, actually supported by him. That’s one thing that I’ll bear in mind and treasure eternally. It may be fairly an awesome expertise if you’ve been rehearsing this scene by yourself or along with your mum or somebody studying in, to then getting on set and it’s simply lots of individuals each within the scene and on the opposite aspect. Behind the cameras you’ve bought so many individuals doing unimaginable jobs and also you simply must ship. It was fairly nerve-racking nevertheless it was a extremely beautiful heat environment.
While filming with the likes of Ruth Jones, Alison Steadman and Joanna Web page, did you get any phrases of knowledge or recommendation from them too?
They didn’t give me any phrases of knowledge, however what was good is that they sort of simply welcomed me in as certainly one of their very own. Despite the fact that I used to be form of having a pinch me second, as a result of as you noticed we have been stood up in our little trio of doing the quiz for the hens, the entire room was watching us and that was fairly intimidating in itself. Clearly I used to be having the perfect time ever, nevertheless it was intimidating. And I believe the perfect factor takeaway from all these unimaginable actors that I’ve appeared as much as for years is that they welcomed me in.
Alison came visiting on the finish and simply mentioned, “you have been improbable”. I mentioned, “which means a lot coming from you”. It’s solely my third telly job that I’ve performed in order somebody who’s fairly new to the TV world, this has been my large second, my large change over into TV. I bear in mind her saying, “effectively, it received’t be your final”. I’ll maintain on to that for the remainder of my appearing profession as a result of coming from Alison Steadman, that was simply the largest form of temper booster and confidence booster and it simply sort of gave me that drive and keenness. It’s such a tough business and it’s extra no’s than it’s yeses. Even if you happen to’re so proper for one thing, there’s a large number of explanation why you received’t get one thing and it may be actually powerful auditioning. However to have that little vote of confidence from Alison Steadman, it’s simply retaining that fireplace burning and it’s retaining me actually excited for what’s to come back.
I may speak about Gavin and Stacey with you all day, however I might additionally like to speak about a few of your different tasks that you simply’ve performed! Gavin and Stacey falls into the comedy pocket, however you’ve additionally performed Name The Midwife, which is extra of a interval drama. What was that have like as compared for you?
Once more, I’m a TV addict so I like all totally different genres and kinds and Name The Midwife is a Sunday evening staple that me and my mum watch. I believe it’s at present on season 14 and I used to be in season 13 so it’s been going for completely ages and it’s good. I completely like it and I’m a giant interval drama fan. That was all the time certainly one of my high appearing objectives, if you’ll. It’s been on my imaginative and prescient board for years to do an episode of Name the Midwife, so to get solid in that was an actual profession win. It was my first form of primetime TV gig so I really feel actually, actually privileged and fortunate to have been in such an iconic present.
I actually hope to do extra interval drama due to that form of type the place a number of the tales are based mostly on true tales and incidents which have occurred in that point interval. I believe it’s a extremely fantastic approach to educate, however nonetheless you possibly can lose your self within the magic of the drama and their story strains and their relationships. I actually loved it, though, you already know, the character I used to be taking part in was fairly bitchy and imply so I bought a little bit of hate on Twitter for it.
Folks have been simply saying how she was so imply to the poor woman within the manufacturing facility and it simply made me chuckle as a result of I felt, effectively, ‘I’ve performed my job’. I provoked a response and other people have an opinion. So if you happen to’ve bought an opinion, I’ve performed one thing proper. It was nice to sink my tooth into it and simply play that character. I like Name the Midwife and I’m watching it for the time being by way of the brand new season. We’re within the 70s now, which is absolutely cool so I’m excited to see the place this season goes and if they need me again at any level, I’d be delighted!
Properly, hopefully you’ll get to – I like that up to now you’ve been in a position to get roles the place you really love the present itself as effectively. That have to be such a dream come true.
It makes such a distinction too, since you get it and also you get the world and also you perceive the characters and also you perceive this tone and the type. I believe it simply makes for a seamless sort of transition. I like it!
In addition to being on display, you do a number of voice appearing, together with taking part in Maggy in Little Dorrit on Folks’s Radio 4. How do you put together for a voice function compared to an on display efficiency? Do you must method in a unique method in any respect?
I train a number of radio drama as effectively at drama faculties so I really feel like I give again to that neighborhood, which is absolutely rewarding. I’ve bought my methodology of approaching a textual content for audio drama, however I discover that audio drama is sort of just like TV in that the mic is form of successfully just like the digicam and it involves you. You don’t must do an excessive amount of as a result of it’ll choose up what you’re doing.
I discover that with audio and TV prep, I take advantage of a really comparable sort of actor methodology and course of once I’m marking up my script and I’m understanding my character’s story arc. All my prep work, I discover it’s bought a number of similarities, which has been actually useful as a result of I’ve performed a lot in the best way of audio. I used to be on the BBC Radio Rep firm for a few years so I’ve performed a number of nice scripts. I labored with Hayley Atwell and Andrew Scott on The Service provider of Venice, which was unimaginable. I discover attacking the story and the textual content for audio is absolutely just like display so I discovered that each one my audio work has massively helped me within the transition into TV and movie now which I’m actually loving.
You’re additionally a triple menace since you’re making your producer debut later this yr with a launch of Homicide Ballads: How To Make It In Rock ‘N’ Roll. Are you able to inform us a little bit bit extra about this movie?
We’ve got a distribution date now, which is absolutely thrilling, so the movie needs to be out in April 2025. This has been my first time producing and I’ve cherished it as a result of not solely did I get to form of oversee casting and piecing every little thing collectively, however I additionally bought to behave in it too so I sort of really feel like I’ve lived and breathed the world of this film.
We’ve bought Simon Callow in it, the movie is centered round him successfully in his character and he was simply fantastic to work with. It’s been an actual studying curve, however one thing that I’m actually captivated with. I’m simply so captivated with tales – good tales, humorous tales, unhappy tales, you already know, every little thing and every little thing in between. This one is extra of a comedy, nevertheless it’s been an actual studying curve and I’ve loved it a lot I’m now producing a second one, a sort of romcom film, which I’ve not performed earlier than.
I’ve bought the manufacturing bug now. Margot Robbie is an enormous affect of mine, and I like how she produces, acts in issues. I’m undecided if she’s directed, however I’m certain she’ll add that to her checklist of issues she will be able to do if not. I believe it’s an business the place you’re so out of your depth a number of the time by way of you don’t have an excessive amount of management. You may management your appearing and the work and the craft and the dedication that you simply put into issues, however you don’t essentially have a number of management over what you get solid in or if you get solid in stuff.
Whereas if you happen to can take the bull by the horns, so to talk and inform tales that you simply’re captivated with telling, it simply provides you a bit extra artistic management and I actually like that as a result of then individuals get to take pleasure in extra drama and you already know, the world is a greater place when there’s a number of leisure choices obtainable to individuals to change off. I’m excited for the manufacturing chapter of my life to continue to grow and persevering with alongside my appearing.
I couldn’t agree extra and I’m actually excited to look at it. It sounds improbable and it’s simply nice that you simply’ll get to be each in entrance of the digicam and behind it as effectively!
It’s simply further studying, you already know, I’m simply soaking all of it up!
Lastly, you talked about earlier about having Name The Midwife in your imaginative and prescient board for a few years. What’s a few of your objectives or what’s in your imaginative and prescient board for this yr?
I might like to do a extremely sort of gritty BBC, ITV or Netflix drama, however one thing that’s fairly kitchen sink, Mike Leigh-esque, one thing actually gritty. I’m a giant fan of reveals like Joyful Valley, I like Sally Wainwright. I’m hoping and praying to the universe that there’ll be one other good gritty crime drama developing quickly that I can throw my hat within the ring for. I really feel like I’ve ticked off comedy. I’ve ticked off interval drama. I actually need to do a gritty crime thriller subsequent.
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