The Questionnaire - Charlotte Martin
25 Oct 2002

Charlotte Martin (Susan, pictured left) answers your questions:

Looking at your photo you are very pretty and "modern" looking. I've always imagined Susan to be a bit of a frump with a "mumsy" sense of fashion - I think she probably irons creases in her jeans and wears nylon blouses, no jewellery save a watch and wedding ring and skirts with elasticated waists. How do you see Susan, and what do you think her
wardrobe consists of?
Leoni Burke

Well I don't think she'd pay much attention to the fashion pages of Harpers'!! But surely elasticated waists are pushing it a bit too far? I think Susan probably tries hard to look like she's a 'professional' and has a wardrobe that is full of nylon blouses and boring A-line skirts that finish at the knee which she thinks look smart with court shoes. For special occasions she likes to wear dresses, preferably in velvet or some other 'touchy, feely' material, 'that Neil likes'. Colourwise she likes to wear pastel colours, she feels they complement her pale complexion and mousy hair. Her wardrobe is quite limited, I don't feel she likes wasting much of their precious income on clothes. I have a feeling she has a sewing machine with which she makes many of the items she wears. Ever resourceful, eh?

What I would like to know is how would you like to see Susan Carter develop? There are signs that she is getting fed up with Neil and his constant grumbling about the Grundys. Would you like Susan to take the opportunity of being "let go" by Tim Hathaway to get more qualifications, maybe under Simon!
Jane

Just when she thought she was on the up careerwise, working in a professional capacity as a doctor's receptionist - what happens? Susan does feel really let down by Tim, who she really liked working for. I think she did a good job too. She is capable of studying, remember she did do a computer course when she was working at the Estate Office. What would she study though? I feel that her interests may lie in personnel (or human resources as they now call it!) because she is very good at dealing with people!! So perhaps she could do some course that would lead her down that path. Or, as she is so interested in gossip (did I say that?) perhaps she should do a counselling course, specialising in marriage counselling, and help all those people out in Ambridge who are experiencing difficulties in that area. I am sure I can think of a few who might need her help and advice. I would like her to be given the opportunity to develop as a person. I do feel she has been held back by all sorts of things, her family, getting pregnant etc, Perhaps, now the children are getting older, she will enter a new phase and become who she wants to be. In terms of Neil, no, I don't think she would ever leave Neil. She may go on about his grumbling but deep down he is her soul mate and they are destined to be together forever!!!

Even though we may dislike the characters, we still like TA for its portrayal of them. Susan can be a whingey so-and-so (eg jobs and status), and yet she can also be very sensible (eg William Grundy). Do you actually LIKE Susan? And do you enjoy playing her, whether or not you like her?
Rebecca Ellis

There are elements of Susan that I do like and admire. The way she handled prison, for a start. Some people would have been completely destroyed by that whereas Susan learnt many lessons from the experience (namely, never dye your brother’s hair blonde when he's on the run from the police!!). I think Susan is like a lot of women in that she loves her husband and family and wants to do the very best for them but, with limited resources, finds it a continual struggle. Faced with all the pressure of modern life and the constant media portrayal of the 'ideal family' I'm certain she feels extremely frustrated with the fact that she can't provide everything she would wish for her children. This is most certainly why she is accused of being 'whingey' - wouldn't you whinge if you were this frustrated with little hope of changing things? The bit of Susan that I don't much like is the way she gossips. Sometimes when I see this in the script I do begin to wonder what she is turning into!! I also wish she would romance Neil a bit more and show him how much she really loves him. I am sure 'off-air' they do laugh together, but I would like to hear them enjoying each other 'on-air' a bit more often!! I do enjoy playing the role, though, and I have been very lucky with the storylines I've been given. I am fortunate in that along with the high drama I get my fair share of comic storylines as well. A good mix!

Did you spend any time "behind bars" (so to speak) for research for when Susan was in nick?

No, I didn't actually get the chance to visit prison for any research. It would have been interesting to have done so. As it was I had to rely on my imagination which I hope helped create a real sense of the suffering Susan experienced during that time. I remember at the time, the press were extremely interested in the storyline and I was asked to appear on Kilroy at one point, to talk about women in prison. I declined this offer because I felt that, as an actress, I had no right to be sitting discussing such a subject with women who had actually suffered the reality of a prison sentence. I was so aware of the blurring of reality and fantasy at this time and conscious of how inappropriate it could be to merge the two. Nevertheless, it is important to debate such controversial issues and drama is often one of the most powerful and influential vehicles through which this can be done.

Why are you so hard on Neil? It always seems to be about the most trivial of things - give the guy a break and give him a hard time about things that matter!

Is Susan really that hard on him? You should hear what we get up to 'off-air'!!! That's when the whips really come out!! Seriously, the things that Susan 'goes on about' DO matter to her. Take the time to understand Susan's point of view and how her frustrations about hers and Neil's life are very often directed at Neil because he is closest at hand. We all do that at times, Susan is only human after all!!!! (Or so I've been told!)

Just wondering if your voice is ever recognised by members of the public, or do you put on an accent for the radio?
Michelle Gray

Your question put me in mind of a strange situation I found myself in when attending some fundraising event at which I found myself, in the ladies, surrounded by some enthusiastic listeners who demanded I 'do' Susan for them there and then!!! I think that is the most obscure place I have been asked to do the voice of Susan. Most people don't recognise my voice because I do put on what is politely described as a 'country accent' for Susan. However, as with all actors there are elements of one's own voice which are always heard even when the musical aspect has changed. So, when people hear me talk they sort of recognise bits of Susan but not completely.

In terms of being recognised, the most bizarre experience was when I was walking upstairs in Waterstones the bookshop a few years ago. A man was walking down the stairs as I ascended, stopping just a few steps down and shouting back to me "Do you play Susan Carter in The Archers?". Well, I nearly fell over. I never dreamed anyone would recognise me. It turned out that he was a book rep and had been involved with one of The Archers books in which he had seen my photograph. Still, pretty amazing to recognise me, don't you think! And there was I thinking how blissfully anonymous being in The Archers was!!

Do you think that the bedroom would have hotted up lately for Susan and Neil after he so courageously stood up to young whipper-snapper, Tom? Surely those sighs and quivers of Susan's meant love was on the after-supper menu? Made me chuckle anyway!
Amy Bridge.

Really, do you expect me to tell you the intricate details of mine and Neil's love life. I'd be so embarrassed!! Between you and me, though, Neil's been so masterful since that episode - he quite takes my breath away!! I think as he is maturing he's becoming the man I always knew he was!!

More from Charlotte

Other Questionnaires:

Tamsin Greig (Debbie)

Tim Bentinck (David)

Judy Bennett's (Shula)

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