Casualty returns this week with a 90-minute special and a college shooting, and Michelle Collins plays the mum of one of the injured students in the new series…

What can you tell us about your role in Casualty?
The producer described my character, Camille, as a force to be dealt with. The first episode is very traumatic, with all the parents having to wait until someone comes and tells you whether your child is the one who has been killed or not. Camille’s daughter Simone hasn’t been shot at the college, but she’s very traumatised. But then she gets shot in the hospital.

It transpires that there are two gunmen?
Yes. They come from quite middle-class backgrounds, but didn’t have very good relationships with their parents. And the parents are just as shocked to find out that their boys are doing it. The boys make a video about how much they hate modern culture and certain groups of people. Everything about them looks OK on the surface, but deep down, these kids are quite disturbed.

The sad thing is that school or college shootings do happen here. It’s not just something that’s been dreamt up on a script…
I actually have a line in the first episode where I say, ‘This country is getting more and more like America.’ It’s true. I think the way that the story has been done is quite sensitive as well.

It’s great for you that you’re appearing in the show as it prepares to celebrate 25 years on the box. Have you ever been in it before?
I wonder if they’ll be doing a live episode like EastEnders and The Bill did? I appeared in The Bill back in about 1986, but I’ve never been in Casualty before this because, when it started, I was doing EastEnders.

What was it like for you to go onto a show that already has a well-established cast?
It was nerve-racking, but I did have some scenes to film with Michael French [Jordan], who I was in EastEnders with. It was like going into a family — they call themselves ‘the gang.’ There are no frills and you can’t go in there with airs and graces and egos. You’re always nervous going into any job, but after a while, I fitted in. I was only a semi-regular, so once I started to get to know people, I left.

What is your stance on guns?
I filmed Daylight Robbery a few years ago, which was about housewives setting up a bank raid. But I’m quite an anti-gun person. I was supposed to go to the premier of the Angelina Jolie film Salt. I didn’t go in the end, but I noticed that the promotional poster is a picture of her holding a gun. I was quite surprised because it really glamorises it. I don’t think anyone should be allowed to have guns in this country.

Your daughter, Maia, is 14. Did being the mother of a teenager help you get into character?
As an actor, I don’t think you have to experience everything that you go through. But it did help when my screen daughter was in hospital and in pain. Touch wood, the worst thing that Maia has done was break her foot. But it must be awful to be a parent going through what Camille goes through. As a mother though, I think I’m constantly tired and it’s quite easy to cry all the time. Camille is a pushy mum, and I wouldn’t say that I am.

Do you think you worry more about Maia now that she’s older?
I don’t think things get easier as they get older. You don’t want to mollycoddle them, but you also want them to get out and be aware of the big, wide world. I think they actually need you more as they get older and you need to be around to guide them.

You’ve said you’d like to work in America. Are you looking for jobs over there at the moment?
I went over for a while and took Maia with me, but I’m not going back at the moment. I’m actually really enjoying being back here because she’s going to have to start thinking about her GCSEs, so I really do have to be here. I did spend some time in the States, but I really like working over here. As a parent, I think you’ve got to be responsible. I’d be really irresponsible if I went to LA, did the odd audition and went to the gym, when I’ve got a daughter at home. You’ve got to get your priorities right.

What are you doing next?
I’m playing the Nurse in Romeo And Juliet later this year. I’ve never done Shakespeare before so that’s quite exciting. I’m also doing a play about the steeplejack Fred Dibnah and I’m waiting to hear about another play that’s going to be in London. I’m doing some more Loose Women and I’ve filmed a Miss Marple drama with Edward Fox, Mathew Horne and Dervla Kirwan that’s yet to be screened. 

By Elaine Penn