In Series 2 of CBBC‘s Silverpoint, Alis Waters joined the cast as new regular character Isabel, and filmed the sci-fi show in Belfast alongside a cast including Charlie Banks, Florisa Kamara and Keira Chansa. For her first regular screen role, Alis played Holly in The Flatshare, which premiered on Paramount+ in December 2022, for which she worked closely with Anthony Welsh as Leon and was directed by Peter Cattaneo and Chloe Wicks in the screen adaptation of Beth O’Leary’s book of the same name. Alis has been part of the National Youth Theatre, and is currently studying for her GCSEs, which she will sit this summer. Catching up with Alis, she talks about playing Isabel in CBBC’s Silverpoint, what it was like joining the sci-fi show in Series 2 and filming as Holly in The Flatshare.

How was it joining the cast of CBBC’s Silverpoint for Series 2 and can you tell us about your character Isabel?

I had such a great time and didn’t want it to end. I really was in my element. Isabel is someone who questions everything. She’s blunt and straight to the point. She’s strong, and she is always just bursting with ideas. The type of person you’d really value in your group for a school project.

What was it like meeting and working with the rest of the cast and reading the scripts for the first time?

I was pretty nervous getting ready to meet everyone properly. At first, it was slightly intimidating meeting the cast of Season 1 and trying to involve myself. But it didn’t take long for the new cast to settle. I loved the dynamic between us all, we were all wildly different but it all seemed to work perfectly. I’d never done a read-through in person before so I remember feeling really excited about seeing my name and character on a little card. It was such an exciting day. I found it interesting comparing people’s performances from the initial read-through to once it was ready to film. Everyone was slowly adjusting and getting to grips with their characters.

How did you prepare for filming and what was Isabel like to play?

We had a two-week rehearsal period before filming with the whole cast, which I found very useful – mainly so I could start to feel comfortable and confident around the cast and the director. Lucy Chambers (my best friend on and off screen, who was also sharing an apartment with me during the time) and I worked on creating our characters together. I remember we enjoyed having long chats just discussing what we think our characters are like when nobody’s around, their relationship before anything in the script, and many other aspects too. I think we both found these discussions helpful because it meant that we could bounce ideas off of each other. I also spent quite a lot of time reading and reading the scripts, I have to admit it took me a while to get my head around the story. It was a challenge but I loved the prep just as much as I loved the filming. Isabel was a very fun character, I felt that we were very similar in ways. I loved that she never messed about and she was always straight to the point. Also, incredibly blunt, which was very fun to play.

Is there anything you enjoyed most about working on a CBBC series and how did you find the experience on set of a sci-fi show?

Definitely the people – the cast and crew were ridiculously lovely and supportive. They never failed to make me laugh. I often find myself reminiscing on the few months I spent filming in Belfast and I’d love to do it all over again. I’m so grateful to have been able to have been involved.

For your first screen project, you played regular character Holly in The Flatshare for Paramount+, do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the role?

I was just in shock for a solid day or two. My agent at the time told me that I booked the role during one of my acting classes and I didn’t know how to react. I hadn’t really processed what was going on until I was on set filming. It was such a surreal experience but so exciting. I remember struggling to hold back a smile whenever I thought about it.

How would you describe Holly and what was it like getting into character?

Holly is a quick-witted girl who was always desperately trying to help others. In the show, she lives in a hospice where Leon (Anthony Welsh) takes care of her. You’d think that playing a 12-year-old girl who is terminally ill would be a really depressing situation, but that wasn’t Holly at all. She was the type of character to keep fighting and she was always bright and persistent. Getting into character was a bit of a challenge considering I don’t have a terminal illness… but of course, that’s acting. I did a bit of research on how some patients with terminal illnesses behave and act. However, I didn’t focus on that element too much, I just tried to relax my body as much as I could so I could replicate the feeling of being physically weak.

What was it like filming alongside cast members including Anthony Welsh as Leon and being directed by Peter Cattaneo and Chloe Wicks?

The Flatshare was my first job and it was such a positive experience. It was a big crew and I hadn’t realised the scale of a production like this. I had to pinch myself that I was in the middle of it all. Anthony, Peter and Chloe were all very kind and really helped me feel comfortable on set and in rehearsals. I learnt so much and feel so lucky to have had the experience.

How was it being involved with the screen adaptation of Beth O’Leary’s book of the same name and what are some of your favourite memories from filming?

Amazing! I remember reading the book for the first time. As soon as the self-tape came through, I found the book online and just started reading. I was hit with that immediate set of hope and excitement and I managed to finish it before I had my recall with Peter (the director). I really enjoyed Beth’s book and I’ve read many of her other ones too, I would definitely recommend! A favourite memory from filming would definitely be laughing with my chaperone (Karen) in the green room while waiting to get on set. But another highlight is Anthony and I making paper origami bunnies together (which I still have to this day!).

Can you tell us about your training with the National Youth Theatre?

I attended a week’s course with the National Youth Theatre in London during the summer. It was a really intense week and great that I had the chance to experience so many different aspects of performing. I was taught some very useful techniques when warming up and whilst singing. But also, I just enjoyed being in an environment where anyone could try anything.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I’ve always had a passion for performing, whether that was playing the piano and just feeling the music or singing to myself in my room or even acting for screen. I remember going to see Mary Poppins (the musical) when it came to Cardiff, and I was just blown away. I walked out of the theatre with the intent that I was going to be an actor. I couldn’t possibly think of doing anything else (except potentially something else on set) but I just love acting and I think it’s something I always will.

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?

I absolutely love films and I try to absorb as many as I can. It’s so difficult to narrow it down to my favourites. But, I think my top three at the moment would have to be The Holdovers, Psycho (Hitchcock) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri but I also love all of Quentin Tarantino’s films (I’ve seen them all!). My favourite TV show is definitely The Office, it’s my go-to comfort series!

How do you like to spend your time away from acting?

I have many hobbies. I love watching films, reading or doing craft! I spend a lot of my time doing schoolwork but when I’m away from that I like to play piano and sing or do some knitting. I tend to enjoy anything creative, at the moment I’m loving doing watercolour paintings.

Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you?

My dad once told me, when I was desperate for another acting job, ‘it’s a marathon, not a sprint’. This helped me realise that if acting is something I’m going to do, I’ve got the rest of my life to do it and that there isn’t any rush (even though I’d appreciate another job ASAP).

What are you hoping 2024 brings for you and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

Unfortunately, at the moment, I’m concentrating on my GCSEs which I’m sitting this summer. However, I’m still auditioning and hoping something will come up.

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