-
Waterloo Road's Dynasty Barry is left questioning her future at the school in tonight's episode (May 16) as her ex-boyfriend Steve-O Malone turns up following a stint in jail.
Played by former Shameless and EastEnders star Jody Latham, Steve-O tries to convince Dynasty to quit her studies and move back to Liverpool with him.
Dynasty is tempted by Steve-O's suggestion but knows that she has lots of reasons to stay at Waterloo Road, including her growing feelings for Kevin Chalk (Tommy Lawrence Knight).
Digital Spy recently caught up with Abby Mavers, who plays Dynasty, to hear what fans can expect from the storyline.
What was this storyline like to film?
"I really loved filming all of the episodes that are coming up with Dynasty and Steve-O. I think they show a different side to Dynasty, and it's really lovely to explore that. She's only really been one way so far, but now the viewers will get to see something different.
"I also really enjoyed working with Jody, as I really respect his work. I loved him in Shameless and also when he was in EastEnders - that was amazing. When I watched him in EastEnders I thought he was terrifying, so when I heard that he'd been cast, I was thrilled to bits. I couldn't think of anyone who could play the part better than he could.
"He's a big softy as well. He looks scary, but he's not in real life!"
What is Dynasty's history with Steve-O?
"Steve-O is a family friend who's had a relationship with Dynasty in the past. He's also really good friends with Dynasty's parents, so he's got quite a close connection to the Barry family.
"Steve-O has been to prison and he's helped Dynasty's dad out in the past, so now it's almost like she owes him something because he's been so good to the family and there's so much loyalty there."
How does Dynasty react to Steve-O's surprise reappearance?
"Dynasty has just settled herself into the school and she's working hard. When Steve-O appears all of a sudden, it's a bit of a shock to her because she doesn't really know why he's there.
"At the same time, because Dynasty is at a new school, it's exciting for her to see a familiar face. Also, Steve-O is confident, he's strong, he's handsome and he knows what he's doing. Dynasty loves having that accessory who she can show off.
"As time goes on, Dynasty does start to have some second thoughts as she's wondering whether Steve-O really has changed for the better. She's completely in two minds about what to do."
What's going through Dynasty's mind when she considers dropping out of school and moving back to Liverpool?
"Well, the life that Dynasty's family would like for her is not going to school, settling down and having kids - basically being just like her mum Carol. But Dynasty has got the brains, so the chance is there for her to get a good education and be anything she wants to be.
"The only problem is that Dynasty's family is pulling her back all the time. When Steve-O comes back, he's another person who's going to distract her, and maybe pull her down a path that she doesn't want to go down."
Tonight's episode also sees Dynasty determined to win the school chess tournament, but not everyone is convinced that she has what it takes. How does she feel about that?
"That's a little bit of a turning point, because Dynasty does have the brains but she doesn't always want to show that. But as soon as someone says that she can't do something, that's when she wants to prove them wrong. When people say that she can't play chess, her reaction is, 'Actually, I can!'"
Dynasty and Kevin start to grow a lot closer. Do you think they make a good match?
"Well, they're both stubborn and they both think that they're right all the time. They wouldn't like to admit that they like each other, but there are little twists that are pulling them together. At the same time, they hate each other - it's a love/hate relationship. It's like Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger in Harry Potter! I think they complement each other, so hopefully things will work out for them."
Steve-O will be on screen for more than one episode, so can we expect a lot of drama ahead?
"Yeah, basically he's going to turn Waterloo Road on its head! It's going to be crazy. I don't think it's something that the viewers will be expecting. I think they'll be surprised but very entertained by what's coming up."
Should Kevin be worried about Steve-O's presence?
"I think he should be, but if he stands his ground and remains as strong as he can be, hopefully he'll be okay. The episodes coming up are very unpredictable."
How about Barry? Has he met his match?
"I think Barry is a bit intimidated by Steve-O, but he's also a lot more intelligent than him. If he uses his head, he'll be alright. Barry may not be a match physically, but mentally he's capable of getting one over on Steve-O."
Another big story for the Barrys has been Kacey's transgender plot. How have you felt about being involved in that?
"I've really enjoyed that. It's been really nice working with Brogan Ellis who plays Kacey, and we also live together in real life. It's nice to have that relationship both on screen and off.
"It's quite a serious subject because people out there do suffer from this day-to-day, so we've tried to work really hard together to get that across. It's a difficult subject but it needs to be addressed."
Has the fan reaction to the Barrys changed over time?
"I think it was a bit of a shock for the fans when we first came in. I think some people in Liverpool didn't want the family to be such a stereotype, but I know people back home who've watched it who are proud.
"We came in with that stereotype on us, but slowly we're changing that round. I'm also getting a lot of great feedback on Twitter from the fans, so I think everyone loves the Barry family now."
You're currently filming series nine, so are you still enjoying your time on the show?
"Even more now! It just gets better and better, especially with meeting the new cast - it's just lovely. Last year I came into it and got settled, and this year it's even better. I couldn't wish for a better job."
-
6th June 2013
Desperate to rid themselves of Steve-O, Kevin and Connor enlist the help of Barry with a dramatic, but dangerous, plan; Sonya gets involved in love-rival Audrey’s wedding – much to Ndale’s horror; and Michael clashes with Lorraine, forcing him to make a decision that will change Waterloo Road forever.
Connor finds himself between a rock and a hard place when Steve-O steps up his campaign of intimidation against him and Imogen. The ex-con wants Connor to burgle a house for him and won’t take no for an answer. Meanwhile, Kevin is left reeling after discovering Steve-O forced himself on Dynasty. Determined to take revenge, Kevin hatches a plan to kill Steve-O.
A shocked Connor attempts to talk Kevin out of his dangerous plan but to no avail. Instead, the teenager turns to an unlikely ally in Barry Barry who is initially dismissive – that is until he finds out what Steve-O has done to his sister Dynasty.
As the plan spirals out of control, there’s a dramatic stand-off between Steve-O, Kevin, Connor and Barry at the docks. But Steve-O is about to find out that there’s no honour among thieves.
Elsewhere, Michael makes a life-changing decision after learning Lorraine plans to turn Waterloo Road into a fee-paying school. An angry confrontation follows between the headmaster and benefactor, leading Michael to resign in disgust.
Sonya finds herself acting as Audrey’s wedding planner, but Ndale is less than happy about his other woman getting involved. And when Audrey surprises Sonya by asking her to be bridesmaid, Ndale is knocked for six.
Secretly encouraged by Esther, Lula takes her animal rights campaigning to a whole new level - little realising she’s being manipulated by the maverick science teacher.
-
13th June 2013
It’s the day of Audrey and Ndale’s wedding but, with a jealous Sonya as bridesmaid, happily-ever-after isn’t guaranteed; Michael’s keeps his plans to save Waterloo Road secret from Christine; Lula steps up her animal-rights campaigning; and Nikki’s first day as head teacher doesn’t go quite to plan.
As they prepare for their wedding day, Ndale convinces Audrey they should move to London once they’re married. Chief bridesmaid Sonya admits to Ndale she’s jealous and is sent into a spin when Audrey reveals her London plans.
Enraged, Sonya writes a note revealing her affair with Ndale but he quickly flips the situation to his advantage, convincing Audrey to go ahead with the wedding. But when Sonya makes a shocking discovery about Ndale, it’s a case of 'hell hath no fury like a woman scorned'.
Elsewhere, worried about Waterloo Road’s future in Lorraine’s hands, Michael hatches a plan to secretly meet with the council to convince them to take over the school.
But his argument is almost immediately undermined when some of the staff, led by Christine, walk out after discovering Lorraine’s plans to make the school fee-paying.
Undeterred by the strike, Lorraine enlists the help of substitute teachers. And there’s a familiar face for Christine among the strike-breakers – modern languages teacher George Windsor, a world-weary, sardonic teacher who quickly makes an impression on Nikki - for all the wrong reasons.
Guided by Esther, Lula steps up her campaigning against Lorraine’s business investment, Nox Pharmaeuticals. And when Esther spots an opportunity to infiltrate Nox, she spurs Lula’s activism further – regardless of the repercussions.
-
20th June
Michael returns to Waterloo Road with a last ditch attempt to stop Lorraine from making the school fee-paying; Lula’s campaign against Nox Pharmaceuticals comes to a shocking conclusion; and with the Barry family rift widening, Carol takes drastic action.
Back as headmaster, Michael hopes to convince Robert Bain at the Department of Education to take the school into Local Authority control. Upon visiting Waterloo Road, Bain is impressed with what he sees but admits he’s surprised Lorraine wants to walk away from her charitable venture. But it’s not long before Michael’s deception is uncovered by a livid Lorraine.
Michael tries to reason with her, reminding Lorraine of the school’s success stories and her own humble beginnings. But Lorraine won’t be emotionally blackmailed, and announces her fee-paying vision is going ahead.
Finally facing up to the fact Lorraine’s beaten him, Michael decides it’s time to walk away. Christine suggests they leave together but Michael drops a bombshell – he doesn’t love her anymore.
But when Nikki delivers some harsh home truths to Lorraine, she too realises the game is up. It spells the end for Lorraine and Michael at Waterloo Road and opens the door of opportunity for Christine.
Meanwhile, Lula’s plan to expose Nox for their animal cruelty goes awry. Fuelled by anger, she hatches a plan to attack Lorraine, but it’s Esther who finds herself caught in the hazardous crossfire.
In a bid to get Dynasty back into the family fold, Carol decides the Barrys should air their issues on a TV chat show. Kevin is horrified but Dynasty sees it as an opportunity to shame her mother.
-
-
-
Poor dynasty, thought her and Kevin both acted really well last week
-
27 June
The Barrys prepare to air their dirty laundry on national TV, but it’s Kevin who ends up under the spotlight when an unexpected guest turns up; Christine decides to embrace her new role as Waterloo Road’s head teacher with gusto; and Maggie has a heart-breaking decision to make.
Kevin isn’t happy about the Barrys appearing on the Noble Thoughts chat show, but Dynasty is fired up, determined to show up her mother Carol in front of millions of viewers. Barry, meanwhile, spots an opportunity to take advantage of the situation, luring his classmates away from school to be in the studio audience.
Against his better judgement, Kevin goes along to support Dynasty but is horrified when host Julian Noble announces the main discussion for the day is how he’s poisoned her mind against the Barrys.
Things go from bad to worse for Kevin after Julian reveals a surprise mystery guest in the audience – Kevin’s estranged, embittered mother, Daisy.
Elsewhere, Christine is determined to make her first day as head teacher a good one, but Connor worries she might buckle under the pressure.
However, she surprises everyone – including herself – with her forceful leadership by taking control of the Barry debacle as well as repairing some of the damage between Imogen and her mum, Sally.
In the staffroom, there’s an obvious tension between Christine and Nikki further fuelled by their contrasting opinions of George.
Meanwhile, Maggie opens up to Tom as she’s faced with the heart-breaking prospect of switching off Grantly’s life-support machine. But there’s a miracle in the making when Grantly starts showing signs of life again.
-
-
4th July
In this week's visit to Waterloo Road, everyone’s thrilled to have Grantly back, alive and well; Tom prepares himself to donate his kidney to his life-long friend but when bad boy Kyle Stack shows up at Waterloo Road the day will end in disaster as Tom tries to help the trouble teen.
Newly released from prison, former pupil Kyle Stack turns up unexpectedly at Waterloo Road. Old schoolmate Rhiannon is keen to help him enrol but Tom isn’t so welcoming, frogmarching Kyle to the exit.
Upon seeing this, new deputy Simon Lowsley persuades Christine he has the necessary skills to get through to the boy. Initially doubtful, Tom is surprised to see a change in Kyle and begins to wonder if there’s more to his return to school than meets the eye.
But things quickly turn sour when Barry goads Kyle about prison life which leads him to lash out before running away. As everyone grows worried about Kyle’s increasingly erratic behaviour, the race is on to find the missing schoolboy.
As Grantly’s charity auction gets into full swing, Tom is astounded by his friend’s refusal to accept his kidney donation. As far as he’s concerned, Grantly’s being a stubborn fool and it takes strong words from Maggie to make him see sense.
But as the charity fundraising fireworks explode in the skies above Waterloo Road, dark clouds loom over the school when a clearly disturbed Kyle is found up on the roof, alone. And as all eyes turn to Tom to reach out to the troubled teen, tragedy comes calling.
Grantly is played by Philip Martin Brown, Tom by Jason Done, Kyle Stack by George Sampson, Rhiannon by Rebecca Craven, Simon Lowsley by Richard Mylan, Christine by Laurie Brett, Barry by Carl Au and Maggie by Melanie Hill.
