Emma Griffiths-Malin is all set to be the new star of The Forsyte Saga -- and take Susan Hampshire's crown.

People (UK), May 25, 2003

Pretty Emma Griffiths-Malin is poised to become one of television's greatest romantic heroines as gorgeous, scheming Fleur in ITV's gripping remake of The Forsyte Saga.

Playing the role that made Susan Hampshire a household name back in the 1960s, Emma's character's red-hot affair with handsome Jon in the second instalment, starting tonight, will keep new fans rivetted.

Fleur's romance with Jon (Lee Williams) causes heartache as he's the son of Irene, the ex-wife of Fleur's wife-raping father, Soames. "Fleur is his daughter by his second wife, Annette, and the idea that she could become romantically involved with the child of his ex-wife horrifies him," explains Emma.

"Irene's against the relationship blossoming, too, as she no longer wants anything to do with the man who raped her."

So is 22-year-old Emma as headstrong as her character when it comes to love? "I've had my moments," grins Emma. "I once had a boyfriend for whom I felt so strongly that I sang to him while standing in the garden beneath his bedroom window.

"I belted out Glitter And Be Gay from the musical Candide, dressed in a giant Union Jack. And it had the desired effect!

"More recently, my boyfriend David and I went to the south of France, and while we were there jumped fully clothed, hand-in-hand into a waterfall. It was a bit cold, but very romantic."

Born and raised in London in a strictly vegan family, Emma describes her childhood as happy, but "different". And although she never aspired to be an actress, she admits that the performing arts were in her genes.

"My great, great grandmother was a music hall singer called Victoria Carmen, a star in the early 1900s, and my dad's father is Mark Eden. He played Alan Bradley in Coronation Street and is married to Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey. And my step-grandfather, on my dad's side, was the famous Dad's Army star John Le Mesurier. Mum, Susan Griffiths, used to be a top model and then there's my dad, David Malin, a composer. So we've really quite a musical family. When we get together, there's always a sing-song going on."

With the role of Fleur, Emma could be on the way to the kind of fame enjoyed by both her grandfathers. As her director, Andy Wilson, says: "Whatever you want to call it -- star quality, spirit, moment in time -- she's got it. Emma's going to be huge, and I'm very lucky to find her."

Emma is more modes about the prospect of fame. "I hope I'll be all right. I've taken advice from my grandfather Mark, and I'm looking forward to people enjoying the show.

"If they don't like me in it, I can fall back on horror movies. I've been a fan of scary films ever since I was a kid, and I spend a lot of time involved with them.

"That's how my boyfriend and I got together. I met David through mutual friends and when I told him I was involved in the making of low-budget horror movies, he came round to my house the next day with a brilliant soundtrack he'd written.

"I was not only touched by the effort he had gone to, but impressed with the quality of his work. It's so good we're going to use it as the basis for our next horror movie."

The Forsyte Saga, ITV 1, tonight at 9 pm.

Caption: Fleur 1: Susan Hampshire with Eric Porter's Soames.

Caption: Fleur 2: Emma and Damian Lewis, the latest Soames.