The Case: Chanel Cresswell plays Julie Prior
Chanel Cresswell plays Julie Prior in new BBC Daytime drama The Case
It's always nice when you read a part for a very strong, determined young woman
What made you want to play the role of Julie?
It's always nice when you read a part for a very strong, determined young woman, and she definitely is that character. It's different from playing the downtrodden woman all the time that's got loads of problems, which is amazing and fun to play, but when you read this script and she's so strong and determined and takes the bull by the horns everyday, especially with the upbringing she's had, you have to take your hat off to her. She's a good role model, I think, for a woman.
What is Julie like? How has she got to where she is today?
Julie doesn't come from the wealthiest of backgrounds. Her mum's a single parent, who had to take a second mortgage out on her house so that Julie could afford to go to bar school. It's all a bit hoity-toity, but Julie made it through by herself – probably worked about three jobs to be able to get where she is – so I think she carries a chip on her shoulder in the sense that she feels that she deserves to be there. She's not interested in the politics of the game; she's there to do the best she can.
Do you think she feels that she has to prove herself that extra bit?
I think so yes. She goes out of her way to try to please everybody, but she definitely doesn't get downtrodden or spoken down to by anybody – even Valerie, who's kind of the office bitch.
Julie's chosen by Sol to help him defend Tony in this major case. Do you think she's 'bring it on' or do you think she's daunted?
A bit of both. I think any junior would be nervous because it's a big thing to take on a murder case in crown court. So I think there are a lot of nerves there but she can't wait to get out there and prove herself, and I think she tries really hard for Sol. She's looking forward to it and she knows that she's very lucky to get this position.
You mentioned Valerie, a senior barrister in chambers, and the fact that Julie stands up to her. How risky is that?
It's a real risk, because Julie's near the end of her pupillage and chambers have to vote as to whether they want her to stay. So, she's a gambler, she does take risks, but she does it morally, she does it out of self-respect for herself, she doesn't like to be spoken down to. I think as well it's a bit of rivalry because Julie's 'new blood' and a bit tough, and I think Valerie mirrors that image, but the older version. I think she kind of looks at Julie and thinks 'I'm not letting her tread on my turf, giving me orders', but Julie responds very strongly to that.
What do you think of the whole storyline, of Tony being charged with murder but him claiming it was assisted suicide?
Well there is a grey area with this storyline – do people push the line too far or don't they? That's for the jury to decide.
The viewers are kept on their toes as well aren't they?
Yes, because all the flashbacks you keep getting drip-feed through the five episodes, meaning as a viewer you're sat there not knowing what you believe in until the very end of episode five because the flashbacks become more intense and more in-depth. So viewers will be sat there thinking 'do I trust him? don't I trust him? I do, I don't, I do, I don't...' You have to keep watching it because you have to know if this person did it out of love or spite.
Did you do much research in preparation for the role?
When you're acting, you're not only acting a role, you're also acting a profession, so it's very important to research the profession to make it convincing. When I got the part, which I was ecstatic about, I thought 'Right, I need to find out what these people are like and I need to know what the journey is like that the juniors go on'. I went to a chambers and met a junior, she was really helpful and explained everything to me – what I'd have done from college to university to bar school, and how the whole chambers system works. It was nice to meet somebody that was on the same wavelength as Julie.