New care drama role is far cry from kids TV, warns Balamory star Julie Wilson Nimmo

Jul 27 2008 By Steve Hendry

AS Balamory's Miss Hoolie, Julie Wilson Nimmo is used to working with children.

But the happy, smiley faces of the toddlers she starred with on the hit CBeebies show are far removed from the young people she deals with in her latest role.

Playing a mum in the National Theatre of Scotland's hard-hitting new production 365, about children who have come through the care system, is the most challenging part she's had. At 36, she's the oldest member of the cast - and it's definitely a job for a grown-up.

She said: "There have been tears shed. I've found it difficult as it's the furthest away I've been from myself in a part.

"People know me from comedy and Balamory. This is a massive leap."

Julie is the only mother in the play. She said: "I amamumto one of the main characters, who is 16."

If Julie had any fears about working with the young cast, including former River City favourites Laura McMonagle and Ryan Fletcher, the ever popular Miss Hoolie cleared them away.

She said: "The kids - well, I can't really call them kids because they are aged from 16 to 25 - are so vibrant and full on. They really make you up your game.

"They don't make me feel like the old granny. I was kind of dreading that and hoping they didn't leavemeout. But their first reaction was, 'Miss Hoolie'. They got a right mickey-take out of me."

Despite her gratitude to Miss Hoolie and the profile the role has given her, Julie is keen to leave her behind. She hasn't appeared as the nursery teacher since Balamory ended in 2005.

But as the show remains a mainstay of the BBC children's channel and continues to be a global phenomenon, it's unlikely to go away any time soon.

As a result, she is keen to take on more challenging roles and was recently seen in Taggart as a grieving murder suspect.

She is also hosting new four-part radio series Laughter Junkies, speaking to people who work behind the scenes, including Edinburgh's queen of comedy - and Sunday Mail Comedy Champ patron - Karen Koren.

Julie said: "You always have to prove yourself in this job, especially if you've been in Balamory. People kind of forget you're an actor.

"Taggart was great because it was different and serious but I hate seeing myself on TV. My family made me watch.

And I dread hearing myself on Laughter Junkies because it's me, not a character."

365 is a long way from the actress's happy home life with her husband, actor and comedian Greg Hemphill, and their two sons, Benny, seven, and Chevy, two.

Julie admits dealing with the serious nature of the play has been difficult.

She said: "I took it home last week. It happens in every rehearsal process and you get annoyed as you can't stop thinking about it. You can't switch off.

"Luckily, it doesn't happen too often. It can't - I go home and Chevy's done a poo and I've got to clean it up."

The play, directed by Vicky Featherstone, will be at the Edinburgh Festival before moving to London.

Julie said: "We're doing the Edinburgh Playhouse. I've never played it before so that's going to be slightly terrifying.

"In London you are ambassadors for the National Theatre and that's just as scary. But we're all in it together and that will pull us through."

365 is at Eden Court, Inverness, from August 13 to 16 and the Playhouse from 22 to 25. Laughter Junkies is on BBC Radio Scotland at 11.30am on August 7.