Jennifer Metcalfe "loves" the way ‘Holloaks’ bosses keep finding more to put her character through.
The 36-year-old actress – who has played Mercedes McQueen on the Channel 4 soap since 2006 – has opened up after her alter ego was at the centre of a ‘whodunit’ storyline before Christmas, and she is grateful for the oppurtunities presented to her.
Speaking to new! magazine, she said: "Every year the writers come up with such good stuff.
"You think, ‘How can you keep on going, 13 years later?’ I just love it."
While the soap recently lost out to ‘Emmerdale’ in the serial drama category at the National Television Awards last month, Jennifer has heaped praise on the show for the way it handles a variety of real life issues.
She added: "We’ve had such a good reaction this year from our fans.
"The show is so current and relevant and it really does portray real life issues."
Jennifer previously admitted she used to like to have a glass of wine when she got home after a tough day on set at times in the past, but since giving birth to her two-year-old boy Daye she has found it a lot easier not to take her work home with her because she is "buzzing with life" when she sees the youngster.
She told BANG Showbiz: "I don’t find it hard to switch off from emotional storylines now I have my little boy.
"Sometimes before it could be a bit heavy and I’d be like, ‘Oh God, I need a glass of wine.’
"I don’t now. I just need to pick him up from nursery and I’m buzzing with life.
"So yeah, he helps."