Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson: It makes a change to play independent woman Demelza

POLDARK star Eleanor Tomlinson says too many female roles are simply the “love interest”.

The actress, 25, and her co-star Aidan Turner, 34, are currently on screen in the third series of the hit BBC1 period drama.

Tomlinson, who plays Demelza, said that it was a refreshing change to play an independent woman on screen.

“That’s what people love about her,” she told BBC Breakfast.

“So many roles for women are just playing the love interest of the leading man.

“Demelza isn’t that. She’s a force of nature all on her own.”

She hinted to fans that her character could soon have her eye on someone else.

“A character called Hugh Armitage (played by Josh Whitehouse) comes in and somewhat distracts Demelza,” she said.

Tomlinson joked that she spent months perfecting her “cliff stare”.

The actress is often filmed standing on mountains with a steely, faraway look.

Asked if she rehearsed the look, she told BBC Breakfast: “Oh yeah, extensively. We spent at least six months training for that look!”

She added: “It’s so windy and so cold on those cliffs, so most of the time (we’re going) ‘is it lunch time yet’?”

The star said that the goat was the biggest diva on the period drama set.

“He’s a real star, he’s very difficult. He won’t come out of his trailer, a nightmare,” she said.