Moray meets Coronation Street as Hopeman acting talent Isobella Hubbard lands a dream role in the ITV soap - watch her character debut in the Rovers Return next week
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THE cobbled streets of Coronation Street will welcome a Moray acting talent to TV screens next week.
Laura Hubbard, from Hopeman, who goes under the stage name of Isobella Hubbard, was thrilled to land her biggest break yet in a role on the world's longest-running and most famous soap.
She debuts on the ITV show next Friday as the mysterious Chelsey, first seen strolling into the programme's legendary Rovers Return pub before confronting long-standing character Carla Connor - played by Alison King - about something in her past.
The famous Coronation Street theme and intro
Mrs Hubbard told the Northern Scot how she was immediately accepted into the Corrie 'family' after filming scenes shortly before production was closed down due to the coronavirus outbreak.
"It's big thanks to my amazing agent Ellis Hebden at TCG Artist Management who put me forward for the role," she said.
"I was called to audition at the studio's in Manchester, with the lovely Gennie Radcliffe, who casts Coronation Street.
"I was nervous travelling to set finding it hard to believe I was en route to work on the nation's longest standing soap and was anxious about how I'd fit in.
"After five minutes on set all my nerves were gone. Corrie are a family and the most warm and caring cast and crew I've ever worked with.
"I never wanted a day to end and learnt so much both behind and in front of the camera. Soaps work at such a quick pace it's incredible to watch the crew and cast adapt so quickly as the day progresses."
"Corrie has always been on in my family house so I felt like I knew the actors and characters before meeting them."
"It was very surreal but so humbling as they are all such great folk. I learnt so much whilst I was there as an actor and creative."
A product of Moray Youth Theatre and Elgin’s St Giles’ Theatre Group, the former Lossie High pupil graduated from the Rose Bruford drama school in Kent before landing theatre, television and movie work.
As there already was a Laura Hubbard in the acting world, she instead uses her grandmother's name Isobella.
Parts in historical drama Outlander and Channel 4 show No Offence followed, while her face may be recognised from TV adverts for McDonalds and Sky.
"I shot a short film last year called 'Farmland' which is currently doing the festival circuit and doing really well. I've also done a few theatre bits at the Arcola, Theatre 503 and Tristan Bates Theatre."
However, her talents don't stop there as she has also entered the film-making world by creating and shooting her own movie in Scotland.
"I also write and had my own film, 'Beat It' shot in Edinburgh which was based on mental health and friendship and it did really well screening in London at a few festivals.
Mrs Hubbard was staying with her parents John and Karen in Hopeman when lockdown happened. Her husband was stuck offshore for nine weeks so she isolated in the village she calls home.
"I have loved living back with them. I haven't lived back home since I was 18 so it's been really nice to spend quality time with them.
"My roots are Hopeman, always will be. I love the village as well as the surrounding villages.
"I have such a supportive community and love how they have come together especially over this last wee while."
The whole of Hopeman and friends and family across Moray will be glued to their screens along with millions more watching her big Corrie debut.
Covid-19 has had a crippling effect on the acting industry, with TV, theatre and movie productions brought to a grinding halt. In a multi-million pound business, the impact is understandably a massive one.
But it's clear that Moray's latest acting star has a creative mind and a strong ambition to achieve much more success in the future.
"The industry has taken a big blow with what's happened, like many. I really hope things begin to move safely again soon and that some of my favourite theatres pull through this.
"I have such a great agent so I'm excited to see what's next. I also write and I have a few projects I'm working away at just now hoping to get them on their feet when it's safe enough to do so."
In the meantime, Mrs Hubbard wasn't giving anything away when it comes to her Coronation Street character.
She plays the mysterious Chelsey, described as "a bit of a scally" who arrives on the cobbles and immediately takes an interest in Carla Connor when she recognises her in the Rovers Return.
Chelsey soon starts asking questions about Carla to barman Sean Tully - played by Antony Cotton - who explains that she is his boss in the pub.
When Carla goes to the toilets, Chelsey takes the opportunity to follow her and confront her, saying she knows her.
Avid Corrie fans may start thinking Chelsey's appearance is something to do with a recent storyline when Carla had what is described as a "missing weekend". Can Chelsey fill in the blanks?
"Sorry, I can't say," Isobella teased. "You'll have to tune in next Friday to find out, hehe!"
