0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:36 > 0:00:40- Penarth is very important to me. - I moved here when I was two.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- I love living by the sea.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- I like running along the seafront - with my dogs.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- My family's here, - which is why I love it.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- I was quite a bossy child.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- When we did Pinocchio at school...
0:01:09 > 0:01:13- ..my mother said I pushed all the - other children around the stage...
0:01:14 > 0:01:18- ..and told them where to stand - and when to say their lines.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21- I was Pinocchio - and directed everyone else too.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- Yes, I was bossy and confident.
0:01:31 > 0:01:32- Here we are in my bedroom...
0:01:33 > 0:01:35- ..with Eddie the cat.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40- This was my bedroom, growing up. - You can see the sea, which is nice.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- My best friend Fiona - lived up the street.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51- I have a couple of photos - of Fi and me. Here we are.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54- She's holding Alana, - my younger sister.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- This is us when we were very young. - I think I was six here.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01- Here's me and Fi with her bowl cut.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07- I was four years old - when I did my first job.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11- I don't remember it but - I've photos to prove it happened.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15- I was one of the six finalists - in the Miss Pears competition...
0:02:15 > 0:02:17- ..which is a soap brand.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23- The prize money - was 1,000 if you won.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25- I said, "I don't need the money.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- "I'm going to give it to African - children and to the hospital."
0:02:31 > 0:02:33- I was very altruistic - when I was four!
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- I wanted to be the Milkybar Kid.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45- There was a competition - to find the next Milkybar Kid...
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- ..and I made it - to the final six again.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- But then they said the Milkybar Kid - couldn't be a female...
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- ..so they told me - I could be a princess.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59- I said, "No, I just want to be - the Milkybar Kid."
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- So I was a feminist - at four years of age!
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- I speak Welsh - though my parents don't.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11- Mam's from Ireland and - there weren't many Welsh schools...
0:03:11 > 0:03:13- ..when Dad was small.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19- Tad-cu was very keen - for me to speak Welsh.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- He played an important role in Plaid - Cymru as a councillor in Islwyn...
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- ..so he thought - it was essential that I spoke Welsh.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33- Through Tad-cu - I got to like Dafydd Iwan's music.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37- When I was six - we saw Dafydd Iwan in concert.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42- Just before the interval, - I ran off...
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- ..and Tad-cu - didn't know where I was.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50- The second half started - and I came out on stage...
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- ..with Dafydd Iwan, - who was holding my hand.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57- Dafydd Iwan said, "This is Erin."
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- I'd gone backstage to find him.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05- I said to him, - "It's Tad-cu's birthday today.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- "Can we sing - happy birthday to him on stage?"
0:04:08 > 0:04:13- So I sang happy birthday to Tad-cu, - accompanied by the entire audience.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16- That's a lovely memory.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- I've many memories - of my school days in Glantaf.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25- There's a lovely community - in Glantaf...
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- ..and they - put a lot of focus on sport.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32- I played netball. I was wing attack.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36- I played a lot of hockey.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44- All the teachers encouraged us to - work as one team, which was lovely.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- When I was 16 or 17...
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- ..and studying for my A levels, - I moved to Stanwell...
0:04:54 > 0:04:57- ..an English-medium school - in Penarth.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01- The drama department was very good.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- Changing school felt quite easy.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- It helped me in life...
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- ..to adapt to new surroundings, - meet new people...
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- ..and make friends easily.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- I have to do that all the time.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- I have to move every year or two...
0:05:23 > 0:05:27- ..to a new location - and I have to make new friends.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- It was good practice for that.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Returning to Penarth is lovely.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- It's beautiful.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50- It makes me feel safe and happy.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57- Eventually, I think - I'd like to end up here in Penarth.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- This is where my heart is.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26- I've chosen Sheffield - because I came to university here...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29- ..to study politics and history.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31- I came after a year of travelling.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- I went to Canada, - New Zealand, Australia...
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- ..and Thailand.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- I loved it here.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- The Arts Tower is one of Sheffield's - most famous buildings.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- Some of my lectures were in there. - I'd usually run in late!
0:06:48 > 0:06:53- I chose history and politics - because I enjoyed history at school.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- I liked studying - the history of Germany and America.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02- Combining that with politics - was an exciting prospect for me.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- Politics is a subject...
0:07:04 > 0:07:07- ..that's very contemporary...
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- ..and it incorporates - elements of feminism...
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- ..and everything that's - going on in the world today.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20- I thought both those subjects - would work well together.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- The paternoster is one of - my favourite things in Sheffield.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- It's a lift which endlessly goes - around the building in a circle.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41- I used to spend a lot of my time - going round and round in this.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Maybe that's why - I was so late for everything.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- I'm getting on.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- I liked partying a lot. I still do.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- I liked to party all the time - at university.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Sheffield's - a great city for partying.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- It's lots of fun. - I made great friends.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- I still have the same friends. - I see them all the time.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- We all went out last weekend - for my friend's 30th birthday.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12- I had wonderful times here. - I worked hard too, of course!
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- That's what we say, isn't it?
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- Work hard and play hard.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- In my second year...
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- ..I discovered that I had dyslexia.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- I always suspected I had it - but I took the actual test here.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- The first year - was quite difficult for me...
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- ..because there was - a lot of work to do...
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- ..and I was on track - for a 2:2 at the time.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- The university - helped me a great deal.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- I was given more time - to complete the work.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- They gave me a computer - and something to record lectures.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- I was also helped - by a lovely lady...
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- ..who helped me figure out - how to write essays...
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- ..and how to - set it all out correctly.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- Things that nobody thought - I'd struggle with before.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- My work had always been alright...
0:09:14 > 0:09:18- ..but it was nice - getting that help...
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- ..to boost my grades - to where they should've been.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- Knowing psychologically - that I had dyslexia...
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- ..rather than being unable - to keep up with people...
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- ..helped my confidence.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- It helped me enjoy my time - at university a bit more.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- I left with a high 2:1 in the end...
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- ..so it was nice to know - I had the ability...
0:09:47 > 0:09:52- ..it was just something stopping me - from reaching my full potential.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- As well as working hard on my degree - and socialising...
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- ..I came here a lot - when I was at Sheffield...
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- ..to perform with SuTCo, - the Student Union Theatre Company.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- I acted in a lot of productions.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- Plays like The Seagull...
0:10:17 > 0:10:20- ..and The Tempest, - in which I played Ariel.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22- I also had the chance to direct.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- I directed a play in the third year - called Dancing At Lughnasa.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- It's lovely being back here. - It feels like such a long time ago.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40- I really enjoyed - that time in my life...
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- ..but I didn't know - what I wanted to do.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49- I always knew I wanted to act but I - wasn't sure I had the confidence...
0:10:49 > 0:10:51- ..to make a career out of it.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- However, - I fostered that confidence here.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- I'm just so happy that - I performed so much with SuTCo...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- ..because it kept the flame...
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- ..of my love of acting alight.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- I feel so grateful to Sheffield...
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- ..because this part of my life - was so important to me...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- ..in terms of my development.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29- I developed as a person - and as an actress.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- I developed as a person - who thinks a lot about politics.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- I don't think - I'd be the person I am today...
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- ..had I not come to Sheffield.
0:11:42 > 0:11:42- .
0:11:45 > 0:11:45- Subtitles
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Welcome to New York. - Here we are in Dumbo, Brooklyn...
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- ..where I live.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05- I love it because it's noisy, fun - and there are people everywhere.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- You can see Manhattan - in the background...
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- ..and it's close to the water, - so it's perfect for me.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- For the first year, I couldn't quite - believe I was living in New York.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27- It's a bit like being in a dream.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- You drive over Brooklyn Bridge - and see the Manhattan skyline...
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- ..and it feels - as though you're in a film.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- We see New York...
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- ..in films or on television - so often...
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- ..when I moved here, it took - about a year for me to think...
0:12:48 > 0:12:49- ..OK, I actually live here.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- I moved to Brooklyn two years ago.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- I'd never been to New York before.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- Maybe once as a child...
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- ..but never as an adult.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- I'd heard how fantastic it was...
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- ..and how everybody loves it.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- I thought, - how can one place be that great?
0:13:14 > 0:13:16- Three days after I arrived...
0:13:16 > 0:13:20- ..I thought this was the city - I was meant to live in.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- After finding an agent in America, - I came with Iwan Rheon...
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- ..who shared the same agent.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- By the end of the week I'd met a - casting agent called Leslie Litt...
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- ..who cast for Sony.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- We got on really well.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- She had just started casting - for a new production.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- It was a programme - called Braking In...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- ..with Christian Slater - and Megan Mullally.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- The following month I got a call...
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- ..saying that they still liked me.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- They hadn't found anyone else - they liked as much as me...
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- ..so they offered me the job.
0:14:07 > 0:14:08- I had to move to America.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- I secured the role in Gotham.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- I went to LA for a pilot season.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- During that week, - I went to five auditions...
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- ..that resulted in work.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- As part of the process, you audition - and then you do a tester deal.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- They select two or three women...
0:14:45 > 0:14:49- ..and they present the finalists...
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- ..to the studios, which happens - to be Warner Brothers for Gotham.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- They say, "This is who we want" - and they select one of those women.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02- The contract itself - is for six years.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- Before even getting the job...
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- ..you have to say, "I'm happy - to do this for six years"...
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- ..which is a long time to sign up to - before getting the job.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20- I was fortunate enough - to have five test deals.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25- You have to choose - which test deal you want to take....
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- ..because you can't have - two test deals at the same time.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- Gotham was the one I chose - because it was the best...
0:15:33 > 0:15:34- ..and I got the part.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- Do you take James Gordon to be - your unlawfully wedded husband...
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- ..to have and to hold...
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- I'm sorry, Father, - you said unlawfully wedded.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49- Barbara, just answer him, - for God's sake!
0:15:54 > 0:15:55- I'm waiting!
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- I'm waiting!- - The Gotham series...
0:15:57 > 0:16:01- ..is the story of Batman - before he became Batman.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- I play a character - called Barbara Kean.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- She was engaged to Jim Gordon, - Commissioner Gordon...
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- ..and another character - turned her into a baddie...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- ..and she killed her parents.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Welcome to the Gotham set.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- This is my second home in Brooklyn.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29- This is Arkham, - the loony bin in Gotham...
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- ..where Barbara - has spent a period of time.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- This was Barbara's room - when she was in Arkham.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- I shot - a couple of scenes in this room.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- You can see the kind of detail - that goes into it.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- They scratched the walls here.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Minor details everywhere.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- You walk through the door - onto another set.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01- On a normal day on the Gotham set...
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- ..I'd arrive - at five in the morning...
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- ..go to hair and make-up - for two hours...
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- ..before getting dressed...
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- ..while they set up the lights - ready to shoot the scenes.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18- An average day's filming - can be between 10 and 16 hours long.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- I can never find my way!
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- I've been here two years - and I still...
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- Oh, no! There's nothing in here!
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- In a way, I think dyslexia - helps me with this job...
0:17:31 > 0:17:34- ..because dyslexics - see everything in pictures.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38- When you're acting, - if you see things in pictures...
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- ..as you read - your character's storyline...
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- ..you see what happens to them, - so it's like having clear memories.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49- They come up as pictures.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- This is Wayne Mansion...
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- ..where Bruce Wayne and Alfred - spend most of their time.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59- They're not using this set - at the moment...
0:17:59 > 0:18:03- ..because Bruce - doesn't currently live here.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- They've covered everything - in dust sheets.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- I've worked very hard to get here.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- It wasn't easy.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- There's always - an element of luck involved...
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- ..but as well as luck, you have to - put in a lot of hard work.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- The luck is just the cherry on top.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- Mug shot.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- Looking back, I've always known - I'd succeed as an actor.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- I had faith in my myself, - but at the same time...
0:18:33 > 0:18:36- ..I couldn't reach - where I am today...
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- ..without friends and family...
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- ..who got me through - the difficult times.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I always say I'm 5'5" - but maybe I'm 5'6"!
0:18:47 > 0:18:48- I've grown!
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- Image is important - in the acting world...
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- ..especially in Hollywood.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- I consider myself a feminist...
0:19:10 > 0:19:12- ..and I'll continue to be one.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- It affects the kind of characters - I choose to play.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- There was one project...
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- ..before I was offered Gotham...
0:19:26 > 0:19:31- ..where the script - required me to be naked.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- I'm not a prude, I'm fine - doing things like that...
0:19:37 > 0:19:39- ..as long as - there's a reason for it.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- I felt there was no reason for it - in that particular script.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- There are lots of women...
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- ..who feel - they have to accept roles...
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- ..where things like that happen - because they have to get the job.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- I think there should be some way...
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- ..of stopping - things like that happening.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- At the moment in the film world...
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- ..and more so - in the television world...
0:20:10 > 0:20:16- ..female characters have developed - and they're more complicated now.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20- There are different layers - to these women...
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- ..which is a good thing...
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- ..and it's something - I hope will grow.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29- I hope more characters - will be created by other women.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- I think it's better when women - direct and write for women.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- In future I'd like to write...
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- ..and create my own work...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- ..and I think it'll be - a feminist piece of work.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- This is Red Hook, - my favourite neighbourhood.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07- I've been coming here - since I moved to Brooklyn.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- It's quieter than where I live.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- I like the people down here - and the atmosphere.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- It's like a sleepy fishing town.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- I've got a lot of free time - with Gotham, which is nice.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28- I like practising yoga...
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- ..and I like making pottery.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- I also like singing...
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- ..and writing in my spare time.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39- I'm currently - trying to record an album...
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- ..and I'm - trying to write a film too.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47- I'd say I'm the type of person...
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- ..who likes doing things - to a high standard.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- With yoga...
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- ..I enjoyed practising alone...
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- ..but I wanted - to improve my level...
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- ..so I trained - to became a yoga teacher.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- When I was younger...
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- ..I was quite competitive.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- Competitive with myself too.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- I felt I had to better myself - all the time.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- Over the years, - I haven't had to do these things...
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- ..in order to win praise.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- I do them because they bring me joy.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- I do them purely for pleasure.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- In future...
0:22:48 > 0:22:50- ..I'd like to continue acting...
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- ..and write and direct my own films.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- That's what - I'm trying to do at the moment.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- There's something about Brooklyn...
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- ..which inspires me - to do all these things.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06- I haven't found - anywhere else in the world...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- ..that makes me feel that way.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:37 > 0:23:37- .