When did your love of acting and the arts begin, and when did you get your first real career 'breakthrough'?

My mother always said that I was born for the stage. I first became involved with the arts at the age of three, when I began learning ballet as a pupil at the Olivia Dow School of Russian Ballet, from where I achieved an Advanced Level in ballet.

However, I first starting acting at my old school, St Monica Gzira, taking part in Prize Day plays and auditioning for the bigger roles as I got older. I think I was very lucky to have attended a school that attached so much importance to theatre, not to mention the well-equipped stage we were fortunate to use on a daily basis. I was instantly bitten by the acting bug and at the age of 14 I secured a scholarship with Stagecoach School for Performing Arts. I knew then that this was where I belonged and what I wanted to do. I think if you're passionate about the stage, that thrill of the bright lights and the applause of the audience never leaves you. It's addictive!

Being the leading lady in Malta's most watched TV series Strada Stretta was perhaps one of my biggest plunges into the industry. Having previously played Sarah in Il-Klikka, which ran for three consecutive seasons, featured in the movie 20,000 Reasons and also hosted the opening ceremony for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in the space of just a few years, I think the experiences never stop and that I as a performer never stop growing.

How did you land a lead role in Strada Stretta: what is her name, what is she like, and do you relate to her in any way?

The minute Steve and Justin approached me with the idea, I was in! From the concept to the story and the team behind it, I knew the production had the perfect ingredients for a successful run - and without a doubt it was.

Lydia is the perfect balance of kindness and determination. She's lived her life locked away from reality in the safety of her home and meeting Mario allows her to see beyond her safe cage, which is where the story develops. Lydia's character takes a spin and she begins to realise that there's more to life than she ever imagined, that her daily routines are just a desire for a fisherman like Mario. Lydia believes in love, and it is something she's willing to give up everything for. I feel it is her weak point but also her best asset, because with love on her side, anything is possible. Lydia is very similar to me, in certain ways, and I realised this along the way. We're both very determined, persuasive people: delicate and gentle on the outside but tough on the inside, but I think the most essential qualities I share with Lydia are the ability to be compassionate and the desire for love. This helps me understand her and relate to her better.

How does it feel to be part of a 'period' drama series?

Lydia is by far the most powerful yet challenging role I have ever played. Of course the difference in period was a big challenge as it proved hard at times to understand her decisions and motives for choosing one path over another. In the first weeks of filming I came to the realisation that, before I could be Lydia, I needed to take on her life.

I took to studying the era: the mentality, the expectations of a lady in the 1950s and, most of all, I focused on her emotions. Lydia is very composed and we hardly ever see her lose control. Being used to acting on stage, this was quite challenging to interpret sometimes, but having grown up with role models such as Grace Kelly, the transition became easier than I thought it would be. On set, I feel I become Lydia and I think that's the beauty of a period drama. You need to dissociate yourself from the reality around you and become another person in another time but, once you do, the result is magical.

What have been the hardest Ð and also the happiest - moments in your career so far?

I think with the idea of being a Maltese personality comes the great responsibility of automatically becoming a role model - to children, developing adolescents and sometimes even adults. We become household names that people can relate to, feel connected to and even look up to. I think the hardest moment was realising that I needed to put myself second to the needs of the people who reached out to me, charities that needed me to contribute and young girls who sent me cries for help in their darkest moments. Admittedly, this resulted in my happiest moments too - the overwhelming support and numerous kind words I have received from the Maltese audience have been incredible. It keeps me striving to stay positive and focused in an industry that is often unrecognised and under-appreciated.

What words of advice would you give anyone wishing to make it as an actor?

Never give up on your dreams. Stay determined, be your best self, accept criticism and stay hungry to learn. Every acting experience is so different and yet somehow you can take away something new from each and every project. This is what you will carry with you for the rest of your life. Down time is a luxury in this industry, so try to use it wisely and surround yourself with people who keep you grounded and shower you with love.

Taryn is an ambassador for O'hea Opticians