In the new episodes of Flack, public relations guru Robyn is desperately trying to get her own life back on track. Georgia Humphreys hears more about the complicated character - and what's in store for her next - from lead star Anna Paquin.

Juicy celebrity scandals, countless funny and teary moments, and a lead character who seems determined to self-destruct - series one of Flack was addictive.

Set in the world of PR, the W hit is about to return for a second run, with Robyn (played by True Blood's Anna Paquin) at the centre of all the drama once again.

At the start of episode one, we see her off the booze and drugs, trying to get her life back on track.

But when she finds out she's pregnant, it sends her off the rails again. Meanwhile, she's still trying to sort out mistakes she made last series; after alienating everybody who loves her, can she fix the relationships she ruined?

Here, 37-year-old Paquin - who was born in Canada but raised in New Zealand - tells us about storylines to come.

ROBYN'S PERSONAL LIFE SEEMS TO BE BLEEDING INTO HER PROFESSIONAL LIFE MORE THIS SERIES...

For someone whose job has so thoroughly capitalised on some of her less-than-morally-perfect traits as a human being, it's a bit of a vicious cycle.

It's quite hard. She's no one without her job. She's married to her job and that's really all she has, but, in order to do her job, she has to draw on parts of herself that turn her into a bad person some of the time.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT EPISODE THREE, IN WHICH WE LEARN MORE ABOUT ROBYN'S MOTHER?

As Robyn's personal life and psychological damage start to bubble to the surface, she starts having memories and flashbacks of the period of time she spent with her mother after she got out of a mental health facility, leading up to the time she killed herself.

We get a glimpse into what that relationship was like and just how psychologically complex, screwy, manipulative and damaging that person is to have as a mother.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE RECREATING THE STREETS OF NEW YORK FOR THAT EPISODE?

Honestly, recreating New York, as someone who lived in New York a very long time, I'm always a bit sceptical about how it's going to actually look. But we found a bit of a park that you really wouldn't know. We brought in the correct garbage cans as set dressing and I think it looks great.

WE SEE SAM NEILL, WHO WAS YOUR CO-STAR IN THE PIANO, JOIN THE CAST...

He plays the previously unseen silent partner of the PR company, who is Caroline, Sophie Okonedo's character's ex-husband, and he has a very cool cameo supporting role.

It's really lovely seeing him again and working with him. It's kind of funny because I instantly felt I was about nine years old again, and as if I'm not really sure what I'm doing. It puts you right back, transports me into feeling like a little kid again. But he's wonderful and so talented and I'm really excited he wanted to come play with us.

YOU'RE ALSO AN EXECUTIVE PRODUCER ON THE SHOW. HOW DO YOU JUGGLE THAT WITH ACTING?

I like knowing all the details and being on top of everything as a producer; it makes me feel more relaxed as an actor because I know what all the variables are.

There are definitely days and times and certain scenes where I have to put my headphones in and go, unless it's absolutely urgent, 'I can't deal with this until after we're done with it,' because I have to stay in my bubble.

YOU HAVE QUITE A LOT OF HARROWING SCENES TO SHOOT AS WELL...

I've been in all the projects we have produced as a company, and I kind of only do harrowing material. We've got our routine of how to protect my acting space - while I don't miss anything from the other perspective - down pretty good.

That's the good thing about working with people who are basically family. And my own husband [her True Blood co-star Stephen Moyer], obviously, but he's my hero.

DO YOU THINK THE SHOW SHINES A LIGHT ON THE DARKER SIDES OF BEING A CELEBRITY?

Sure, but I think at this point, because of social media and the way the press works and how much access we have to it, people are more aware of some of the less flattering and less shiny, bright, polished aspects of celebrity culture.

I mean, it's all over magazine stands and tabloids, I feel like that's become so much a part of the press. It's almost become the mainstream press, the tabloid press, which is a little strange.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOU'D FARE AS A PR IN REAL LIFE?

I'm not sure I would be a great PR because I am a little too transparent. I can put on the face and hide everything and pretend everything is fine, but it's kind of the exact opposite of what you do as an actor because acting is all about emotional transparency and baring your soul.

I could do it, I'm sure, but I don't think it would really be a source of joy for me. I like the emotional outlet of my job.

Flack returns to W on Monday, 10pm.

 

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