Pilar has a talent for making everybody's life miserable but also provides the club with an aggressive vision on how to get into the Champions League. Her doings affect not only club matters but influence several of the characters on a private and emotional level – a fantastic platform for conflict. Pilar has a past with Marcel which makes both of them uncomfortable in each others presence, yet the chemistry is hard to deny. Pilar is infcat a herd-nosed Mediterranean football agent. Pilar is very ambitious and feisty.

After Phil Wallis' ridiculous raffle, the Harchester United Board make Pilar Hernandez their temporary Chief Executive until the issue of who the owner is, is sorted out. She is a hard-nosed businesswoman, and has the ability to make her enemies miserable. She is a hard worker, and will always look out for herself before others. Pilar grew up in France, and was friends with midfielder Marcel Sabatier, and he became her first client after she became an agent. But her ambition and ruthlessness drove Marcel away. And while she was still his agent, he was in England playing for Harchester, while Pilar remained in France. Before she joined Harchester, she was responsible for the controversy of Roberto Mendoza's transfer the year before, and had stolen £1million of Phil Wallis' money. She was also at fault for Harchester's point deduction. And this soon means the fans and the board take a dislike to her. Pilar instantly announces her ambitions for the club. She wants to sign Barcelona striker Luke Davenport. However, this means getting rid of fan's favourite, Karl Fletcher. Pilar convinces Stuart Naysmith that if he wants to be manager, he has to expect to get rid of older players such as Fletch. She burns Fletch's contract, and signs Davenport for £28million, a club record. This soon pays off as the fans are now on her side, and Davenport is knocking goals in for fun. But Marcel Sabatier is still unsettled, and tells Pilar he wants to leave, but Pilar rejects his request. But Pilar makes a dreadful mistake when she signs a Chinese player called Zhao Qiang and agrees to a clause in his contract saying he has to play at least 45 minutes per game so to please the Chinese sponsers. This causes a player strike, but Pilar comes up with a plan to fake Bruce's injury so as to give him time to adjust. And she manages to get the club out of a bad situation.

During Christmas, things take a turn for the worse, Ryan wants to leave the club, but Luke wants him to stay. So Pilar has to please Luke and so forces Ryan to stay, this causes Stuart to want to resign, but after Ryan punches Luke and makes his condition worse, Pilar is very worried. She tries to sell Luke when she learns of his condition, but he won't allow it, so he decides to have an operation that could end his career. Pilar leaves Harchester and tells Stuart through a letter. But Stuart comes to where Pilar is staying abroad and convinces her to try and put things right again. However, it's not so easy because since Luke's eye surgery is now public knowledge, the banks say Harchester will go bust if they drop below 6th in the Premiership. This also results in Bruce leaving the club. Pilar is desperate for Harchester to stay afloat, and she even signs unstable goalkeeper Vivian Wright, and forces Stuart to play when he is badly injured. Harchester stay 6th, but Stuart's career is over.

Pilar is delighted when Fletch brings a Sheik to Harchester with plans to take over the club, but as soon as she finds out Fletch intends to make Jeff Stein Chief Executive, she lets slip to Fletch about Marcel sleeping with his wife, and Fletch leaves Harchester again. But the Sheik is still interested. However, he says he'll only buy if Harchester go below 6th, which means throwing a game. Pilar convinces Stuart, but Marcel finds out and tries to stop them losing. But the Sheik realises Marcel must know and withdraws interest. The club goes into administration and Pilar leaves. It is until Dean convinces the team to play against Charlton that the club manage to stay afloat, but the players want Dean as Chief Executive, causing Pilar to realise she will have to leave. But as the stress of the job proves a little too much for Dean, he asks for Pilar's help. She helps, but when Stuart forcibly reveals the match fixing, she sacks him, and tells the Sheik's assistant to 'take care of him'. He hires an assassin to kill Stuart, but he kills Marcel by mistake. Pilar is heartbroken and reveals all to the world. She is sent to prison for her part in the murder, ending a very dark season for her and for Harchester United.

Statistics

Guest Appearance: Episodes 6.23, 6.24 & 6.25
First Appearance: Episode 7.01
Final Appearance: Episode 7.32

Season 7 Character Popularity: 1.90% (13th)

Filmography

The Bill- 419 (2006) TV Episode .... Carol Willetts
Ambition (2005) .... Estelle
Two's Company (2005) .... Woman
Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003) .... Air Stewardess
Mile High - Episode #1.1 (2003) TV Episode .... Spanish Air Hostess #1
Lexx (2002) TV Episode .... Skankita

Last updated June 2006. For more up-to-date information, please visit IMDb.

Interviews

Joan Collins Has Nothing On Me - August 2003
Girls Web Chat - November 2003
Marem Puts The Boot In! - February 2004
Sizzle and Burn! - April 2004
The Girl Of Our Dreams - May 2004

Short Interview

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT BEING IN DREAM TEAM? It's the team work! Everybody wants the same thing, to do the best they can and contribute to making it a good show. Needless to say as an actor the time spent on set and in front of camera is priceless, I learn every day. It's great having a long term character and giving them not just a body and a face but a heart and soul too. My personal favourite moments are arriving in the morning, the make up and wardrobe, having a giggle and then going on set and seeing all the familiar faces – its great. Abi and Pilar outdo Linda Evans and Joan Collins (Dynasty) anytime in the clash of the female titans!

WERE YOU A FAN OF DREAM TEAM BEFORE YOU JOINED? I didn't know much about Dream Team before I joined. Mentioning it now to people though I was surprised by how huge the following is.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER? It's a strong woman doing what is still seen as a man's job. This leaves a lot of room for all sorts of power-nuances. Also she's climbing a shaky ladder, refusing to look down – she keep her focus to the top, even when she's scared. It's great fun playing Pilar, even though she comes with the devils compliment, a bitch from hell! I admire her courage and those little moments when she lets her hair down show us that there is more to her than meets the eye and her resources never run dry.

WHAT DO YOU DISLIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR CHARACTER? The lack of humour in the character, as Pilar is mostly in situations where she can't take things too lightly.

ARE YOU LIKE YOUR CHARACTER AT ALL? The first thing I did after getting the part was put all my self help books way to the back of my bookshelf. I'd like to think that in real life I'm very different to Pilar. Having said that though there are moments when I feel that my darker alter ego is celebrating for not being suppressed, and getting paid for it! There are elements of Pilar that I can relate to but not necessarily agree with. The way she deals with things, in real life I think our personalities would clash. I'd probably walk away from her, but if I was passionate about a principle I might well confront her.

DO YOU LIKE THE CLOTHES THAT YOUR CHARACTER WEARS? The wardrobe is one of my favourite things about playing Pilar, her killer stiletto heels and smart but sexy suits that fit perfectly. I myself opt for casual and comfortable so it's great fun looking in the mirror and seeing Pilar looking back at me. Some of the clothes have started to affect my private wardrobe, for the better as my Mum feels free to point out. The high heels are gorgeous but very high and take some getting used to, especially for someone who normally wears trainers.

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY THINK OF YOUR ROLE? They are all very excited – especially to see me play a ‘baddy'. They're used to me playing quirky, unglamorous and strange parts so this is new for both them and me. My family is very proud, which is sweet and comes with a truckload of support plus well intended (not always required) advice.

WHAT SCENE HAVE YOU MOST ENJOYED OR HATED FILMING SO FAR? I've been lucky that there have been plenty of juicy scenes to get my teeth into and Pilar's talent for conflict makes for great scenes. The combination giving Pilar great ammunition, verbally and emotionally are the scenes with Jeff, Marcel, Abi and Stuart.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR CHARACTER'S HOUSE/CAR? Up to date Pilar still lives in the Grange (Hotel) and is driven to work. I think she is classy and likes nice things – I can relate to that. I'm not sure though that her lifestyle on a bigger scale is desirable. Her corporate lifestyle doesn't really allow her to be quirky and let her hair down, and she is also quite isolated. I on the other hand believe a lifestyle should never come in the way of having and sharing a laugh.

WHAT FOOTBALL TEAM DO YOU SUPPORT AND WHY? I'm not really a football supporter but for the sake of background knowledge I have started to read the football sections of newspapers.

HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED FOOTBALL? I was quite good at football at school and played in goal.

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME? I've got my rock band and we just finished recording our album. I'm also addicted to books, love doing yoga and enjoy going out for drinks with friends.

WHERE DO YOU COME FROM – HOME TOWN? I'm from Switzerland , my home town in Zurich . My mum is English, originally from Trinidad (Grandad – Venezuelan) and my dad is Swiss (Grandma – German, Grandad – half French).