Lauren McQueen interview

Fazakerley-born actress Lauren McQueen is best known for playing Lily on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.

After leaving the soap in 2019, she landed a role on Sky One’s Bulletproof and is now set to appear in Masters of the Air – an upcoming American war drama miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks

Words | Lawrence Saunders

How did you first get into acting? Was it something you got involved with at school?

From the age of five, I attended the Elliott-Clarke theatre school in Liverpool where I did all of my dance grades for ballet, tap and modern. I started getting involved in the acting and singing classes too, and each year we would take part in musicals at the Empire – shows like Scrooge, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Half a Sixpence. We did so many [shows] which were amazing experiences, especially at such a young age. Watching the main professional cast perform was really inspiring as a child.

I remember being chosen for my very first speaking part in Scrooge – when Shane Richie was playing the title character. I was cast as Martha Cratchit and I was so happy. I had one line to say in the whole show! I still remember it now because I practiced it that much: ‘The stuffing’s ready mother’.

We were also involved in a Christmas show at the Empire called Santa Claus The Musical, where I played the understudy of the leading girl as well as being part of the ensemble. I got the chance to do a few shows as the lead and my whole year from Blessed Sacrament Catholic Primary School came to watch. I remember the feeling opening up the show, singing the first song on my own in the middle of the stage and then the applause from all my classmates – it was amazing. After that, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in acting.

The role you are perhaps best known for is that of Lily Drinkwell/McQueen in Hollyoaks – playing the character in some 160 episodes. How important was that experience in developing your skills as an actor?

From the age of 11, I was lucky enough to have an agent and work professionally on stage and in different TV dramas. When the time came to decide on whether to go to drama school or not, I decided not to. I was enjoying the acting experiences I was lucky enough to get at the time, so I decided to continue to learn on the job.

When I was offered the role of Lily on Hollyoaks, I knew it would be a perfect opportunity to develop my craft as I was on set almost every day of the week – learning up to five different episodes at a time. I was lucky enough to have a really challenging storyline as well – which definitely developed my skills as an actor. I was so blessed to also work with actors like Alex Fletcher and Nick Pickard.

I can’t thank Hollyoaks enough for writing such a powerful storyline for Lily. The self-harm storyline raised so much awareness and it’s such a rewarding feeling to know that I helped so many young people who could relate to my character. It made me realise that I didn’t just want to act, I wanted to be able to make a difference through the stories I tell and the characters that I play.

Why did you decide it was the right time to leave Hollyoaks in 2019?

As an actor, I’ve always wanted to showcase my versatility and after the success of the self-harm storyline, which won Best Episode and Best Storyline at The British Soap Awards, I thought it was the right time for me to say goodbye to Lily and explore other roles and projects.

Your latest project is Masters of the Air – an upcoming miniseries based on the actions of the Eighth Air Force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Can you tell us a little bit about the show and your character?

Masters of the Air is based on the real-life men of the ‘Mighty Eighth’ and their experience during World War II. My character Rose represents the young women of Britain who were part of the ‘land army’ during the war. Many women like my character volunteered and contributed to the war effort by helping with a variety of jobs that men would have done.

Most of the women had never been away from home before, so Rose definitely enjoys the freedom and sees moving away as an adventure and a chance for independence. She especially enjoys the attention from handsome American bomber boys and the mechanics on the airfields.

Masters of the Air is being made by the same team which created the acclaimed series Band of Brothers and The Pacific. How did you land the role and how does it feel knowing you’re part of what is such an eagerly anticipated show?

It was, and still is, a pinch-me moment! I met casting directors Lucy Bevan and Olivia Grant, who are such lovely, supportive women, a few years ago for The Batman castings. I was really pleased to have left a good impression. They asked me to read for the role of Rose in Masters of the Air. I auditioned with them over Zoom and when my agent told me I had landed the part, as cheesy as it sounds, I thought I was dreaming. Finding out Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks were the producers of the show was insane!

It was amazing to work with director Cary Joji Fukunaga, who had just directed the latest James Bond movie (we bonded over our love for our Staffordshire Bull Terriers who were at home). Being on set with established actors like Austin Butler (Elvis), Callum Turner (Fantastic Beasts) and Anthony Boyle (Tolkien) was brilliant too. I am so excited for everyone to see the incredibly talented cast and how much work has gone into making the show when it finally airs!

Away from acting, you love to sing – regularly posting covers of popular songs on your Instagram account. Is music a medium you’d like to explore more seriously at some point? Or is it just a bit of fun?

I have always loved music and singing. One of my first professional jobs was in Willy Russell’s Our Day Out The Musical at the Royal Court and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had on stage. Even though I mostly sing for fun, I would love to explore it further on stage again or even for a TV or film role.

Finally, aside from Masters of the Air being a huge success (I’m sure it will be!), what are your hopes for the years ahead? Landing a role in a major feature film maybe?

I would love to be the next leading lady in a period drama or something gritty that shows a different side to me that people have not seen before. I’ve recently started kickboxing after seeing a video of Ana De Armas rehearsing for a fight scene for her role in the latest James Bond movie. That would be the dream! I’m looking forward to working and making new connections with more new and established actors and directors who I can learn and collaborate with.

This year, as well as acting, I have also taken over running a local acting agency after the very special Liverpool actor/director Sylvie Gatrill passed away. Sylvie was the founder of Allstars Casting and ran the agency for more than 20 years. She wanted me to continue the agency for her, which I am so grateful for. It has been so rewarding helping young and aspiring actors in and around Liverpool achieve their dreams.

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