Landing a role in Edge Of Heaven was exciting for newcomer Laura Checkley, who would love to carve out a successful career in television.

The actress, who up until now has starred in a double act on the comedy circuit, says she hopes playing Alfie's sister, Ann-Marie, will open doors for her. "I am thrilled with the role," she says. "As soon as I read for it, I knew immediately that I wanted to play Ann-Marie. She is ex-army but I knew what to do with her.

"She takes herself quite seriously and she deals with things in a serious manner. She is a hard nut with a heart and she is very deadpan. She has got a rough edge to her and she is not too emotional. She faces things head on.

"Is she like me? She is far more serious than me but she is full of one-liners. She speaks her mind. She will say what everyone else is thinking. She says what the whole room is thinking and she will bring up that 'elephant' in the room. That is what is so funny about her and I really have cringed about some of the things she has said. They are awful but the beauty of it is that I am so far removed from her. She does soften up around the family but when she is in army mode, she knows how to handle things head on."

Some of the best scenes were out on location in Margate, reveals the comedy actress. "It was a bit windy at times but we had so much fun staying in the hotel together," she says. "When you are away, it brings you all closer together."

Starring alongside Camille Coduri, Laura laughs as she admits their own relationship turned into a mother/daughter one. "We ended up laughing together so much and I enjoyed all my scenes with her. She is amazing. It's funny as I also had a lot of fun with Blake too.

"It's funny how life does start imitating art as we were constantly playing tricks on each other and winding up Camille! We were terrible with our practical jokes. Often you would walk into your trailer and wonder where Blake had hidden your shoe or something!

"It's been so enjoyable working on Edge Of Heaven and this is a real foot in the door for me. I am hoping it will open doors and change things for me. I have been doing the comedy circuit for the last five years and I have been part of a comedy double act. I have done bit parts but this is a big job. The best thing about this role is definitely the cast and crew. It's a dream job as we have laughed so much. It's been brilliant."

Admitting she can be quite a 'workaholic', Laura says she plans to return to the comedy circuit once filming finishes. "I am a workaholic," she adds. "I am always thinking 'what is next?' I will go back to gigging and try out some new material and do some live gigs. I will try and squeeze some auditions in too. I have been slogging my guts out on the comedy circuit and this really is a payoff for me."

When I went up for this role, they said they wanted some comedians. As I had done comedy, I knew what to do. Had I not had that experience, I may not have got the part. I do think everything happens for a reason. "Yes it has been exhausting but I don't want it to finish!"