'Waterloo Road' Rebecca Craven talks Rhiannon's secret - interview
Waterloo Road fans see another side of Rhiannon Salt in tonight's (October 18) episode as Scout discovers that the school bully is hiding a big secret.
The two girls are still on bad terms following their problems earlier in the series, but Scout becomes an unlikely confidante for Rhiannon this evening when she learns that the troubled student has been self-harming.
Digital Spy recently chatted to Rebecca Craven, who plays Rhiannon, to hear her thoughts on the challenging storyline.
As a newcomer to Waterloo Road for series eight, how well have you settled into the show?
"Well, obviously there's been a massive change in the show because it's moved up to Scotland from Rochdale, but I hope the viewers feel that I've settled in really well. Technically Rhiannon was in the Rochdale school although she wasn't on our screens, and she definitely came in with a bang with all of her bullying and manipulation!
"Also, off screen with all of the cast and the crew, I feel like I've slotted in and I'm really loving working up here in Glasgow."
Are you glad to play a character whose behaviour can be so extreme?
"Absolutely! It's so exciting, because she has so many different levels and layers to her. One minute she's very manipulative and evil, but the next moment she can be as charming as anything - although in those cases she's usually got a hidden agenda!
"But throughout the next ten episodes and especially in episode nine, you're going to see a massive change in Rhiannon and hopefully it's for the better."
What kind of a reaction have you had for playing the role?
"The reaction has been great as everyone has said, 'Oh, you play such an evil person!' I really like that, because it shows that I'm doing my job. If people liked Rhiannon, then my bullying obviously wasn't very convincing! Everyone has been really supportive and told me, 'Even though you're playing a very nasty character, you're playing her really well'. I can't thank people enough if they say that.
"Some reactions can be a little bit difficult sometimes, especially with all of the social networking that's about these days, where people can be a bit nasty. I just choose to ignore that, though, and if I've provoked a reaction it's great."
Why does Rhiannon have such a problem with Scout?
"It's just the fact that she seems to be everyone's favourite. Maggie and Grantly absolutely love her, plus she has the bigger bedroom! Rhiannon thought moving to the school in Scotland would be a fresh start for her and that's why she started the bullying, because nothing was going in her favour.
"Deep down, Rhiannon isn't an evil person - she's very troubled and she just wants to be loved by someone. Because she wasn't getting the attention that she wanted, she thought the bullying was the only way to get it.
"You'll also see that when people are lovely towards Rhiannon - which is shown in episodes nine and ten - she doesn't understand it because she feels that she doesn't deserve the love of a family. She's been brought up with three different foster families and they haven't exactly been the best."
What more can you tell us about tonight's episode?
"What you'll see in this episode is that Rhiannon has had enough. She's realised that everything she did in the last eight episodes was wrong, and now she's starting to take it out on herself. She has a big secret which is that she self-harms, so that is her way of releasing all of the anger and frustration that she has towards herself.
"Later, Audrey McFall catches wind that Rhiannon isn't herself, so she invites her to join a running club to help with her weight problem. Rhiannon goes along with Audrey to get her off her case, but unfortunately Scout has to come too, which is the last thing Rhiannon needs as they're not exactly friends!"
What happens next?
"The two girls go running together, but Rhiannon falls and hurts herself. Scout notices that there is blood on Rhiannon's t-shirt, and that's when she finds out about the self-harm. Scout was the last person Rhiannon wanted to know this, and she begs her not to say anything.
"Luckily by the end of the episode, you can see there's a real connection that's going to develop between Rhiannon and Scout. Everything that's happened in the previous eight episodes is put in the past, and now there's a bond that's going to grow. In the next block of episodes after Christmas, you'll see more layers to Rhiannon that you haven't seen so far, and she's been able to deal with her self-harm problem."
How did you feel about taking on the self-harm storyline?
"I was very nervous at first, because obviously it's such a serious subject. But I did quite a bit of research into why people self-harm and the different reasons for it. Some of my friends have self-harmed in the past when they were a lot younger, so I spoke to them, learned from their experiences and just tried to get as much information as I could. I wanted to make my performance as Rhiannon as truthful as possible."
Did you always know you'd get this chance to show another side to Rhiannon?
"No, I didn't! When I first got the brief for Rhiannon, it just said that she was a manipulative bully who would take a disliking to Scout. But later on, I had a chat with the producers about where they were going to take the story and I was really pleased.
"I absolutely loved playing a bully and a manipulative character, especially getting to work so closely with Katie as we're really good friends. But then to get the chance to show another side to her is great."
Did you enjoy filming so many scenes with Georgie Glen, who plays Audrey, for this episode?
"Definitely - Georgie is one of my favourite actresses on the show. She's so supportive on set and off set. Georgie has got a lot more experience than me, so we'd do rehearsals together and she'd really give me her support. She's a very professional actress, and I learned a lot from her.
"I wanted to do this storyline with as much truth and conviction as possible, and I do think those scenes with Georgie helped to bring the truth to the storyline."
Katie McGlynn, who played Scout, has now left the show. Are you missing her?
"I am indeed! I miss Katie so much. She's still one of my best friends, and I speak to her all the time now that she's gone. She's going to have a very successful career, so I think she'll be fine leaving Waterloo Road. I do miss her, because I have to put on a Northern accent for this role, so I miss having my little mentor giving me tips!"
What is your previous acting background?
"I trained in musical theatre in London, so that's what I've always done until now. I also did a film called Hunky Dory with Minnie Driver. But Waterloo Road is my big break, and doing TV is really different to musical theatre. I'm hoping the show will be a stepping stone for me to branch out into more television."
Who else have you made friends with on the Waterloo Road set?
"Definitely Shane O'Meara who plays Connor - he's the funniest guy I've ever met. Kirstie Steele who plays Imogen is great too - they're both awesome people. I've also made friends with some of the newer characters, who you'll meet after Christmas.
"We are just one big happy family, and what I love about this show is that there's no divide between the teachers and the schoolkids. Everyone supports everyone else and there's so much fun on set. There's never a dull day!"
'Waterloo Road' star Kirstie Steele teases big Imogen, Connor drama
Waterloo Road concludes its current run of episodes with high drama for loved-up pupils Imogen Stewart and Connor Mulgrew later this week.
As the troubling situation with Connor's alcoholic mother Christine is getting worse instead of better, he and Imogen decide to run away from their families by hiding out in the schoolhouse together over the holidays.
The pair's plans are foiled, however, when Christine finds out what they're up to - which leads to an explosive situation as Connor is pushed to breaking point…
Digital Spy recently chatted to Kirstie Steele, who plays Imogen, to hear more about the storyline.
How have you found your time on Waterloo Road so far?
"I've loved absolutely every minute of being part of this show. It's a fantastic experience to be working with all these different actors. It's great fun, and every day is a school day where I'm learning lots of different things as I go along!"
The Imogen and Connor storylines appear to have had a big reaction from fans. Did you expect that when you first started filming?
"I probably didn't expect the fan reaction to be as big as it has been. It's great that the viewers have liked Imogen and Connor so much already, and hopefully that means that it's come across as a good, strong relationship. The reaction has been great - I didn't expect it at all. I don't think you ever do expect these things, you just have to take it as it comes along."
Have you been recognised by fans much when you're out and about?
"Yeah, I've been recognised a few times, which is a bit surreal! It's especially weird when I'm out shopping with my mum and people follow me around the shops! It's definitely a new experience for me, but it's an exciting one too. Every person I've met has been lovely and it's been great to hear their feedback as well."
What kind of a reaction have you seen from the online fans?
"I've had some really great feedback, especially after the deaf storyline. I had a few Twitter followers who are deaf saying that I'm doing a great job, and that's really nice to hear. It's nice that people can relate to it, and I'm thrilled that they've messaged me personally.
"I've also had some fan letters recently, which has been really sweet and I'm trying to reply to them as much as I can, as they're our audience at the end of the day."
What is Shane O'Meara, who plays Connor, like to work with?
"Shane is great to work with - he's such a nice, friendly guy. We have a lot of fun on set, and he does try to wind me up sometimes! But that's always funny and we get on really well."
Why do you think Imogen and Connor have become such a good match?
"I think they've just had an instant chemistry, and they can relate to each other really well. They've had similar experiences with their mothers, and that means they have a bond. It's an instant reaction and now they both have somebody they can talk to.
"Normally their characters are very isolated from everyone else, but when they're together there's a really strong bond."
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What can we expect from episode ten this week?
"Imogen and Connor are still together, but they've decided that it's best to make sure that Connor's mother doesn't know that, because she's not very fond of Imogen taking her son away. Now they're planning to get Connor away from Christine, so they're going to run away over the school holiday.
"Their plan is to hide out in the empty schoolhouse over the holidays, just until they can sort something else out. They think it's their best plan to escape, get their heads together and see what they can plan after that. They hope to get a happy ending!"
What happens when Christine finds out?
"Christine catches them when they're both at the schoolhouse together. She's shocked, but at the same time I think she knew it was coming. Christine is so angry over the situation, but she comes across as quite calm and she doesn't physically shout at them. It's terrible for the two of them, though, because their plans have been ruined.
"Imogen and Connor are both upset and annoyed - there's loads of emotions when Christine catches them. Connor is hurt the most, because he thought that escaping was the best option for his future. He's so upset that his mum has ruined it, and you'll see another side to him as he just snaps."
We know that Connor starts another fire at the school with big consequences. What can we expect to happen next?
"Well, it's definitely a big dramatic, finale! Without giving too much away, Imogen is basically stuck in a crossfire between Connor and his mother. It is a dangerous episode and definitely one to watch. It's been great to be part of this episode, and it's so exciting. I can't say anything else without giving it away!"
Whatever happens, do you think there's any chance of a strong future for Imogen and Connor?
"I think their relationship will always be tested. They're like the Romeo and Juliet of Waterloo Road - they're meant to be together, but they're always going to be doomed!
"No matter how perfect they are together, there's always going to be something in the way that stops them from actually being together. I think that's the best way to put our relationship. But that's always great for us to play as actors."
How have you found working with Laurie Brett?
"Laurie is such a great actress, and she's brilliant at giving advice. She's taken us under her wing - I think I'm like her adopted daughter in real life! Laurie has been really great and supportive, and we know that she knows this industry really well.
"It's great to get feedback from her and she's coached me through some of the scenes. That's brilliant because she didn't have to do that - it's not part of her job, but it's been really handy for me to get little tips as we've been going along."
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Who else are your best friends on set?
"I'd have to say Becky Craven who plays Rhiannon - she's been a great friend of mine. I also love Adiza who plays Liberty, as she always makes me laugh. And Katie who played Scout was a great friend as well."
Episodes one to ten have been busy for Imogen. Does it stay that way, or do things quieten down in certain episodes next year?
"It doesn't really quieten down. When new characters come in, the story focuses mainly on them for a while, but you'll see Imogen will still be a part of it. Then some episodes will be more focused on Imogen's relationship with Connor and Christine. She's got some good episodes coming up, some great stories to look forward to - and some twists and turns along the way!"
Did you know Imogen was deaf when you signed up for the role?
"I didn't know at all when I first signed up. I only found out when I did the script read-through for episode one. But what a great role to play, and hopefully I'm doing it justice by making it believable. It can be difficult to do such a sensitive subject, but it's been a great learning experience for me."
How long have you been acting for?
"I've been acting from quite an early age. I was part of the Scottish Youth Theatre when I was younger and was involved in local classes. I've done lots of production tours and lots of musical theatre, some from when I was three or four!
"I also did a few programmes for the BBC and CITV when I was 11 or 12, so I was a child actor. I've just graduated from college and obviously now have this major role here at Waterloo Road."
Does acting run in the family?
"My brother has always been into the theatre and stage, so he's the other actor in the family. But my mum and dad are the opposite to me and my brother - they're quite shy compared to us and they're not into the theatre. They do support us, though, and they love to come and watch us. They get excited about it, but they're not ones to go and do it themselves!"
What are your future acting ambitions?
"I'd love to do some more television, more dramas and explore different roles. I'm really enjoying watching Doctor Who and Sherlock at the moment. It'd be great to do another serious drama, but I'm also into comedy so I'd also love to change it up a bit and do some of that in the future."
