Emmerdale newcomer Casey Al-Shaqsy, who plays Serena Sugden, has revealed that she was left starstruck when she first met Jeff Hordley, the actor behind Cain Dingle, admitting she used to fancy him as a kid. The star also confessed that she nearly threw up while filming a christening scene surrounded by the Dingle family, describing the experience as overwhelming.
Casey Al-Shaqsy's starstruck moment with Cain Dingle
Speaking to Metro about settling into her role, Casey Al-Shaqsy admitted that meeting Jeff Hordley left her feeling unusually awkward. 'I think I actually got starstruck by Cain. I don’t get starstruck. I talk to everybody. And I saw him, and I was quiet for once, and I walked past him, and I was like, hello, I’m Casey, can’t wait to work with you. I was a bit awkward because I was like, that’s Cain! And I used to fancy him as well,' she said.
Al-Shaqsy joined the cast of Emmerdale earlier this year, with her character Serena Sugden being confirmed as the distant cousin of Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley). Since her first scenes with Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) in June, Serena has interacted with many iconic residents, but it was Cain who made the biggest impression on the actress.
Overwhelmed by the Dingle family during christening scenes
The actress also opened up about a particularly daunting filming day. 'When we did the christening, I watched it back and, like, thank God you can’t tell, but I almost threw up. So I’d been there for two weeks, and I’d had lovely interactions with everyone. I’d had Woolpack scenes. I’d worked with Emma, I’d worked with all these amazing people. I was like, great, I feel settled,' she explained.
She continued: 'And then I got into that christening, and it was all the Dingles in one corner. Then it was Matty and me. There was Sarah and Jacob, and then Charity and Mackenzie, and I was literally stood there, and I went, ‘Can I sit down?’ And I had to leave the room. I couldn’t sit with everybody because I just felt really overwhelmed.'
Al-Shaqsy described the moment as the only time she has ever felt that way on set, adding that the Dingle family is one she looks up to immensely. She also revealed that she hasn’t told Jeff Hordley about her childhood crush, though she joked that he will know now after her comments.
Serena's secret mission and friendship with DS Thea Ramsden
Beyond the family drama, this week’s episodes have revealed that Serena came to the village for another reason. DS Thea Ramsden (Chelsea Edge), who is investigating Dr Caitlin Todd’s (Caroline Harker) death, is actually Serena’s friend. Thea has been asking Serena to break into Home Farm to find something that can destroy Kim Tate (Claire King).
Al-Shaqsy explained the close friendship between Serena and Thea: 'They are very, very close friends. Serena’s sort of journey into the village was to see her family. She does want to get closer with her family. But she’s mentioned to her best mate, ‘I’m going to Emmerdale’. And she’s gone ‘I need you to do me a favour’.'
She added that Serena didn’t know Thea was on the case, and the secret wasn’t Serena’s choice to keep—it was Thea’s. 'So when she turns up at the village, it’s kind of like you’re kind of ruining everything here. And it wasn’t Serena’s choice to make it a secret; it was Thea’s. She’s trying her best to keep the secret like Thea wanted her to,' Al-Shaqsy said.
Teasing what’s ahead, Al-Shaqsy noted that Serena often finds herself in difficult positions because she cares deeply for others. 'All she does is care about other people and do stuff for other people. But if you watch the show, when’s the last time you see anyone do anything for her other than give her a place to stay? Everyone is always asking things of her, and she’s always doing things for other people,' she said.
She also hinted at upcoming friction for Serena with Sarah and with Thea, as well as with her family, particularly Brian. 'I always say Serena doesn’t lie; she just doesn’t tell people the whole truth. She tells the truth, but leaves bits out, and that’s what gets her into trouble. She knows that’s upset people in the past, and now she’s keeping another secret because it isn’t hers to tell; it’s Thea’s,' Al-Shaqsy concluded.
