Thomson: 'Emmerdale has been a shock'

Emmerdale newcomer Kim Thomson has admitted that she felt challenged by the soap's fast-paced schedule during her first weeks on set.

The actress added that she is now embracing the speedy nature of serial drama after growing accustomed to playing Mark Wylde's (Maxwell Caulfield) first wife Faye Lamb on the ITV1 show.

Thomson told the Sunday Mail: "It's my first soap and has been a shock. It's very fast in the studio, you get scripts at the last minute and work with multi-cameras. But I've got to the point where I love the fact it's so fast and I consistently play one character.

"Soaps are incredibly popular and powerful, millions of people watch them, so I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunity to be in one."

The star has previously secured work in the US, including roles on drama The Unit and movie Princess Diaries 2. However, she said that she is currently content with life at the Yorkshire-based programme, which has seen a love triangle involving Faye, bigamist Mark and his second wife Natasha (Amanda Donohoe) in recent months.

Thomson commented: "Faye is not going anywhere. She is determined to stay and get Mark and get what she thinks is right for her son. That suits me. It's a tricky year [in the US] so I'm counting my blessings."

On her future plotlines, she added: "I have no idea until I get the script what's going to happen. I love the fact Faye can turn out to be a complete bitch, a lovely woman who wants to settle down, or a murderer. It's all possible."

Thomson was cast in Emmerdale in February and first appeared on screen a month later.