Professional writer Emma Doran has just gotten what she considered to be her big break – a small role in a big television pilot, but she quickly found out that even this small advantage could prove to be quite the burden. As the episode progressed, it became apparent that she would be required to adapt to the different character’s ethnicity, age, education, occupation, accent, emotions, etc., which all seemed to demand a lot of effort on her part, even if she really didn’t feel like it. “I’ve done American TV, English TV, and British TV,” she says. “So I know what is expected of me, but it was still surprising.”
The physical aspect of being an actress is something Emma Doran found particularly taxing. “I’m used to being able to perform and do my best, but in this role I had to really learn how to deal with a lot of physical demands.” In order to make people laugh, you have to make them laugh, but sometimes that can require you to ignore your own needs in favor of what is happening on screen. “I remember a particularly difficult scene where I was literally having to hold my own head up while someone else was having a panic attack because I couldn’t catch their attention, so I would have to hold it for them,” she recalls.
Emma Doran has performed stand-up comedy for many years, but it was her stint on stage in Edinburgh that made her realize she wanted to pursue a career in acting. “The energy of the show was very electrifying, and there was a real enthusiasm about the show from the audience, which was surprising to me.” Her experience on stage has allowed her to hone her skills as a comedian, and she continues to use those same skills in her role as Doran throughout the remainder of her appearances. “The physicality of the character is what attracts the audience to comedy, but what’s more important is the authenticity of the person performing,” she says.