24’s Emily Berrington “felt like James Bond” while filming

In the much-anticipated return series of 24, Berrington plays Simone, the daughter of Margot (played by Game of Thrones‘s Michelle Fairley). She says that the television series, which is set to be an international breakthrough for her, is different from her previous work and has presented new challenges.

“I’ve never done action before and I’ve never had to be so physically fit for a role, which is tricky considering how much delicious food there always is on set. Luckily most days filming for me have involved a bit of a work out, too,” she says. “A standard day usually starts very early – 4.30am pick-ups and in the make-up chair by 5.30. I love the make-up trailer. It’s a great way to start the day, drinking coffee and singing along to Elvis with the make-up artists. They work wonders on a very sleepy face.”

So, what has she enjoyed most about filming 24?

“My favourite day was filming on the underground,” Berrington reveals. “It’s somewhere that I spend so much mundane time in my everyday life that it felt really exciting to be running around down there on an empty train. I felt like James Bond. Being an American production, it has also given me lots of London tourist opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. We had an invitation to the American Embassy for the President’s Day toast, a private night-time visit to the Tower of London and a tour of the Houses of Parliament. I’ve seen more London landmarks in the past few months than in all the years I’ve lived here.”