Interview: Natalie Casey

The 28-year-old, about to star in the West End transfer of hit play "Well", took time out from choosing bathroom fittings for her Greenwich home to chat to The Wharf about the play, and her Bond ambitions.

"I'd love to play James Bond," she said. "Most of the roles I really like are written for men and that would be the ultimate one.

"But Daniel Craig is great so I don't think he'll be giving the role up just yet. I saw him in a play years ago at the Bolton Octagon and never dreamed he would end up as Bond. But it just goes to show you never know what's going to happen."

Although 007 is beyond her reach at the moment Natalie has never had any worries about work in a notoriously precarious profession.

She will start filming a new series of Two Pints in January but admitted her immediate aim is to do more stage work, starting with Well, a black comedy about a fractious mother/daughter relationship.

She said: "I love doing TV but theatre is my main thing at the moment. Well is brilliantly written by Lisa Kron and it went down really well with the audiences when we did six weeks at the Trafalgar Studios.

"At least I think it went down well, otherwise it wouldn't be transferring to the West End. It's actually hard to tell what the audience thinks when you are acting, unless you hear them laugh or clap in the right places."

The mother role is played by British screen legend Sarah Miles and Natalie admitted it's a great thrill to share the stage with the star of films like Ryan's Daughter and White Mischief.

"Sarah is great," said Natalie. "It's brilliant to work so closely with someone who's been Oscar-nominated, though it's slightly surreal to be on stage with her because I keep thinking about her being in those great films with people like Robert Mitchum and Laurence Olivier."

So has Ms Miles passed on any of her vast knowledge of the business to her young co-star?

"Don't get too nervous," laughed Natalie. "And remember your lines."

For the bubbly Lancastrian life in Greenwich, where she has made her home for the past six years, is great.

She said. "It's brilliant. There's the amazing market and the most beautiful parks. I moved house last year and thought I'd have to leave but luckily I found somewhere else I could afford and I'm so pleased, even if I am in the process of getting a new bathroom.

"The only reason I'd leave would be if I got married and had kids and that's not going to happen just yet. No, life's good here."

"Well" is at the Apollo Theatre from December 29 until January 24. Tickets can be booked from 0844 412 4658.