1. Former Corrie star Sacha Parkinson on her new Mr
Selfridge role
Landing a role in period drama Mr Selfridge has been a dream comes true for former Coronation
Street star Sacha Parkinson - as she has been a fan of the show from the start.
Salford-raised Sacha has joined the new series - about Harry Selfridge, the department store
entrepreneur - as Kitty Edwards’ fiery younger sister Connie Hawkins.
She says: “It’s amazing to be part of Mr Selfridge because I had watched the show from the very first
series and really loved it. It’s a show my family and friends are massive fans of too.
"They were already avid watchers before I was cast in the series and I really like that they are true
fans, and won’t just be watching because I am in it.
“It’s a bonus to be stepping into something with a massive fan base around it. I think it’s an amazing
thing to be part of and I feel very lucky.
“I love period dramas. It’s interesting to see a piece of our history and even though a lot of them are
based on historical facts, there’s still something magical and fairy-tale in their style. I think they are
so beautiful, in particular the costumes!”
Sacha shot to fame at the age of 16 playing Sian Powers in Coronation Street. Since leaving the
cobbles in 2011, she has gone on to star in dramas such as The Mill, By Any Means and The Driver.
Speaking about her blooming career Sacha says: “Filming a drama like Mr Selfridge is so different to
Corrie. The pace is a lot slower and there aren’t so many scenes shot in one day, which allows more
time for creativity. But I love soaps because they have roots and are easy to watch. For me it’s a nice
contrast. As an actress I enjoy different experiences and every set is a different experience.
“I think if you’re rooted to one place for so long, you can exhaust the experience and it can become a
happy routine. I’m looking to keep on working on different projects
and exploring different characters. I love meeting so many types of people and by taking on new
roles I can never lack new material and influences, which is great.”
In Mr Selfridge, Sacha plays Connie, who is introduced to audiences as the sister of Selfridge’s Head
of Beauty, Kitty.
When we meet Connie, its clear Kitty and Frank have concerns about Connie’s troublesome and
carefree attitude, particularly when it comes to her job in Selfridge’s loading bay.
“Connie is an unrefined fireball of energy,” says Sacha about her new character. “Her attitude
towards the world is the polar opposite to that of Kitty. She is a real tomboy and totally fearless. She
is straight talking, confident, and unaware of other people’s standing in society.
“Connie hates the fact she is being told what to do by men who haven’t been there in a long time and
don’t know what is what. She will not be told she is in the wrong and patronised by men.”

2. Sacha spent much of her time on set filming on the main shop floor in Selfridge’s fashion department.
So, did Sacha enjoy being surrounded by the latest fashion trends from 1919?
“I came straight onto Mr Selfridge from the set of The Mill, another period drama. For that drama I
was covered head to toe in dirt as it was set in a grimy period about the industrial revolution.
Therefore, even though Connie is far from glamorous in comparison to other characters, she felt
glamorous to me.
“Walking onto the set of Mr Selfridge for the first time was amazing. The shop floor sets are
beautifully designed. All the clothes look stunning, as do the actors in costume.”
Corrie star Sacha Parkinson begins playing her role in the new series of Mr Selfridge. Former
corrie star playing Sian leads out of her Corrie scenes to begin new openings as a big role in
a new big soap.
This story can relate as a big news story for Eccles College for the fact that Sacha Parkinson
formally studied at our own Eccles College. She studied AS Media, Drama
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/film-news/former-corrie-star-sacha-
parkinson-8448405
http://www.memorabletv.com/interviews/sacha-parkinson-on-playing-connie-hawkins-in-itvs-mr-
selfridge/
In conclusion the news story above would be casted as a news story by myself with a arrange of
questions related to this story. I will talk about
News Story Script:
“Former Coronation star Sacha Parkinson announced that she will be playing a role in the new series
of Mr Selfridge.
Sacha former actor of the role Sian Powers from the hit soap Coronation Street, grips the UK when
she officially confirms her new career in Mr Selfridge.
Sacha was a former student here at Eccles college studying the following classes Media, Drama and
Film Studies so this is a great deal to influence students that this college could get you a good career.
Sacha is not just a one hit soap star but has also been involved in big movies like Fright Night 2, Away
days and now Mr Selfridge.
Mr Selfridge is a big UK series started in the year 2013 and now in its 29th
episode. Sacha Parkinson
playing the role of Connie Hawkins has does 9 episodes and is currently in its 4th
season.
This has been Lewis Dunn bringing you the best TV news on E.6. Entertainment, Thank you for
listening.”