“There’s loads to explore, and I like Suzy’s cool vibe — whereas, let’s face it, Vanessa is a bit geeky,” she said.
“I love that about Vanessa, and it makes her polar opposite to Suzy, which is what I like! I’m really enjoying them, and I think there could be an exciting journey ahead.”
Hardwick made her surprise return to the Dales as part of Rhona Goskirk’s baby Ivy storyline. A surprise cliffhanger in the soap’s February 9 episode saw Vanessa turn up at a remote cottage to visit her best friend, after she fled from the village with Ivy.
Vanessa left the village for a new job in Canada in November 2022, with the temporary exit storyline written in to explain Hardwick’s real-life maternity leave. The actor is now back as a show regular.
Following her return to the show, Hardwick previously teased how Vanessa and Suzy’s relationship will change after they are reunited.
“When Vanessa left, we left it on a very positive note between her and Suzy. Even though they weren’t together, they had a little kiss and it was all very lovely,” she explained.
“But Vanessa is completely unaware of a potential relationship between Mary and Suzy. Mary, who Vanessa sees as a mother figure! But Vanessa is totally oblivious to this.”
She added: “She’s going to maybe try and get her relationship back on track with Suzy, but whether Suzy wants to or not, we’ll have to wait and see.”