Emily was a longer search. We knew we needed someone who was smart, beautiful, and funny – all three of those things, like the legs of a stool. We kept finding actors who were two of those three things. You know, they’d be smart and beautiful but not funny, or funny and smart but not beautiful, or … well, you know the math. And then she walked in and she just was the character. She is smart and beautiful and funny and she’s slightly different. She’s just left of centre as an actress. It was just ideal. She has a magnificent vocal quality. We were really excited when we saw her. And then the two of them together, when they tested together, you just knew they had that thing you can’t count on, that little bit of chemistry.

Well, it definitely developed from the moment the two of us met. I mean, look at us; this is the best twosome in television (laughs). I think as far as the relationships of the characters, when I walked into the room and we were testing her role, there were two other girls. There was this one girl who we all pretty much thought was the part, but when Emily and I worked the scene, there was definitely some magic that happened in the room. She is not only someone I work with but she has become part of my family that I can look at and say, ‘I enjoy the moments I [have] had with her because they lead to me becoming a better person.’ And, in doing so, I learn about her, I learn about myself and, hence, we get stronger chemistry. I think that chemistry has developed in the last four seasons in a very strong way.

There are so many shows that might be well-written but if that chemistry isn’t there between the two stars, it just doesn’t work.