First appearing in Corriedale last month, Olivia Frances Brown is full of mystery, and as Jodie settles into the street, it seems trouble is brewing. Corrie airs at 8:30 pm on ITV1
Welcome to Coronation Street! How are you settling into life on the cobbles?
I’m loving it. It’s great – everybody is so lovely, like a big family. People have welcomed me so well and made me feel like I’ve been here forever. It’s a really, really nice place to work.
Can you walk us through your audition process?
I actually first auditioned for Corrie about three or four years ago for a smaller part called Crystal. I’m half-Scouse, so I was really crossing my fingers for it, and I was gutted when I didn’t get it. At the time, they said they’d keep me in mind for the future, but as an actor, you take that with a pinch of salt. When they got back in touch three years later remembering me for the role of Shona’s sister, I was made up. I couldn’t believe they remembered who I was! The full process felt really smooth from there.
Take us back to the moment you found out you landed the part. What was your reaction?
I was just at home eating breakfast and watching TV! I missed the call from my agent, and when I tried to call back, he was in a meeting. I had to wait on edge, but eventually, his assistant told me it was good news. I was just so happy. You’re on edge for those days or weeks when you don’t know.
Was Coronation Street a big staple in your house growing up?
Yeah, my mum always watched it and when she was little, she’d watch it every night with her mum, so it’s like a legacy thing. I don’t think she can fully comprehend me being on the screen yet; even now, she does a double-take every time I come on!
Tell us about your background.
I always liked drama. I went to LIPA (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts) and ended up doing my degree in Barcelona because LIPA had a connection to a university there. While I was there, I got a little bit sidetracked by the jazz scene. I met all these musicians and then wanted to focus on my singing – I write and record my own music and worked as a jazz singer right up until I joined Corrie – and I still do.
What made you decide to step back into acting?
About four years ago, I decided to give it another go alongside singing. I had a few small TV roles in things like Boiling Point and The Gathering, which gave me a taste for it. But Coronation Street is the first steady job where I can really sink my teeth into a character and develop them extensively.
Your first episode was actually Corriedale – not many people can say that! What was that experience like?
It was strange and definitely unique. I was the mystery character and had to keep my lips sealed! It was a bit of a whirlwind because I was working with teams from both Emmerdale and Corrie, so I didn’t really get a feel for the actual building here for a while.
How much were you told about your character, Jodie, at the start?
I was told she had a lot of baggage and history. She’s definitely troubled and traumatised by her past.
We’re starting to see a darker edge to Jodie. Do you see her as a “bad” person?
She’s deeply troubled, but she isn’t a bad person. She likes to mess around and toy with people to amuse herself, but only the ones she thinks deserve it. She has deep-rooted abandonment issues – I’d say she’s a product of what people have put her through.
There’s a mysterious locket that comes into play. What can you tease about that?
I don’t want to say too much but Jodie claims she found it in a charity shop, but that’s a lie to protect herself…
Jodie also orchestrates a messy night out for Shona. Is she trying to drive a wedge between Shona and David?
Definitely. She wants to put Shona out of the picture, even if just for a few hours, so she can “step into her shoes.” There’s a moment where Shona is fast asleep and drunk, and Jodie just sits and watches a film with David. She wants to feel that closeness and validation that Shona gets every day.
Is there a lot of resentment between Jodie and Shona?
Total resentment. Jodie feels Shona abandoned her and broke a promise to take her with her to a better life. Seeing Shona with the house, the husband, and the family – everything Jodie ever dreamt of – is hard for her. She blames Shona for the fact that she doesn’t have those things too.
What’s been the most surprising thing about joining the cast?
How quickly it felt like home. That’s very rare in this job. I completely understand why people stay here for as long as they can, it’s such a great place to work.
You’ve mentioned you’re enjoying the complex nature of the role. How does it feel to play someone with so many layers?
It’s so much more fun than playing a one-dimensional character. Jodie has so many layers and different sides to her personality. It makes the work exciting because I never know what I’m going to read when I open a new script!
Catch up on ITVX, and for classic visits to Corrie, these episodes air weekdays on ITV3 as well as on YouTube.