Star from '˜East End' heads to Skegness to feature in film

In a character far removed from her best-known role as Lola Pearce in the BBC soap, Danielle plays an evil gangland master in ‘Innocent Candy’ – a movie inspired, written and starring Skegness acting duo Stacey J Gough and Stefan Michaels. With scenes already shot in Essex, the next stop is the Lincolnshire coastal resort where a whole crew will descend, and the bulk of the filming will take place.

Spectacular drone footage of the coastline will be incorporated, alongside a haunting soundtrack and strong performances from such actors as Danielle, Edward Peel, John Altman and former Blue singer Antony Costa, to create a gritty gangland tale of angst, sadness, drama and eventually hope.

The strength of the script, penned by Stefan, and the opportunity to play a very different character attracted Danielle to the role of D’Marco.

“I read the script before I met Stefan and Stacey and it is very good with lots of twists and turns. I really liked the role, it is very different to anything I have played before,” said Danielle.

For the 26-year-old accomplished actor, it was this opportunity to show a different side to her work that attracted her.

“I played Lola for five years and when you play a character for that long, you know them inside out. D’Marco is such a very different challenge,” she said.

Since her departure from EastEnders in 2011, Danielle has explored roles on stage and screen, with two other movies shot in the last 12 months and another planned.

But of course, before then, there is the trip to Skegness to look forward to as the next stage of the Innocent Candy journey continues.

“I have never been before and so I am very excited. I am sure I will be getting the whole tour, so let’s hope for some nice winter sunshine,” added Danielle.

For Stacey and Stefan, the prospect of filming in their home town fills them with pride. It is their hard work and sheer determination that has got Innocent Candy to this stage, and their hope is to hit the major film festivals with their project next Spring. To see the film come to life has evoked much emotion in them both: “We had a moment during our recent filming when we were able to stop and look down at the cast and crew. There was a true sense of pride and achievement, but at the same time we were humbled to see such talented people working on our project,”

explained Stacey.

“There is such strength all the way through the film with faultless performances. Our contacts, and those of our colleagues, have enabled us to attract these talented actors and we are so proud to be bringing this to Skegness,” he added.

Together the pair, who are accomplished screen actors themselves, own Clock Tower Films under which Innocent Candy is being produced. Running alongside the movie are newly-established acting workshops, being held at the company base in Minerva Court, Skegness. It is also planned to take acting out into the community, involving groups and local schools.

So far, several businesses and organisations, including the Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture – which runs The Embassy Theatre – have been supporting Clock Tower Films.

“The film is now in a position that allows us to offer Lincolnshire businesses a number of opportunities to get involved in a production that is set to showcase our county as never before. Let’s make it happen together,” said Stacey.

Stacey can be contacted on [email protected]