In Series 13 of Waterloo Road, Tillie Amartey joined the regular cast as Stacey ‘Stace’ Neville, with the series recently airing on BBC One/iPlayer and it has been announced a 14th series will be premiering later this year, with Tillie reprising her role. Further screen work for Tillie have included playing Jade Wilkes in Better for BBC, Izzy in The Teacher alongside Sheridan Smith, and she guest-starred as Marnie in Jimmy McGovern’s Moving On. Tillie had her first regular screen role in the CBBC series Almost Never as Chloe, and also for CBBC, she presented Love! Love! Love!. As a voiceover artist, Tillie voiced India Vincent-Jones in 2022 for the Audible series Radioman, and in 2023, she was part of the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, partnering Neil Jones, where she scored 39 out of 40 from the judges for her Jive to Underneath the Tree by Kelly Clarkson. Since speaking with us in 2019, we have once again caught up with Tillie and found out from her about joining Waterloo Road as regular character Stacey ‘Stace’ Neville, filming for Better and The Teacher and being part of the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special with Neil Jones.

Was there anything that drew you to the role of Stacey ‘Stace’ Neville in the new series of Waterloo Road and how would you describe the character?

From the moment I was introduced to Stace, I knew she was a character that I would have great fun playing, but she also struck me as a character that most definitely had layers to her. As an actress, this always draws me to a character as we can go on a journey of discovery together.

To describe her, well, where do I start? You definitely know she has entered a room, with all eyes instantly on her. Whether it’s her unapologetic dress sense which grabs your attention, or her outrageous laugh, she dominates whatever room she’s in with her larger than life and slightly edgy personality. She is a free spirit; Stacey believes that rules are made to be broken. She was excluded from her last school before COVID and she refused to enrol back into education. She’s only back for music and drama – she has her heart set firmly on being famous. Despite her no-nonsense and sometimes aggressive demeanour, there is a vulnerable side to Stacey. Her big gob and loud mouth often runs away with her, getting her into all kinds of bother. But Stacey’s not afraid of trouble – at all. Bring it on! Although Stacey’s a force to be reckoned with, she tends to be the life and soul of any party. Full of hilarious one-liners, Stacey’s dark sense of humour ensures that she makes friends as easily as she drops them. Nobody really wants to get on the wrong side of her and even Stacey’s mates aren’t immune to her fluctuating mood swings. She’s the Queen of banter, you won’t really know whether Stacey’s actually coming for ya!! Or just having you on.

How did you prepare for filming and what is Stace like to play?

I rewatched the whole of Waterloo Road on BBC iPlayer to get to know the history behind it and why it’s so iconic. There has been some big characters over its lifespan and I wanted to make sure “our Stace” matched the energy of her predecessors (definitely would have given Janeece Bryant (Chelsee Healey’s character) a run for her money. To play Stace is both exhilarating and demanding, especially the daily struggles of her hoops and hairstyles.

What has it been like joining the cast and what do you remember from your first day on set?

Joining the Waterloo Road cast was an incredible experience, I vividly remember the warmth and support from everyone, it just felt so easy and comfortable like that feeling when you’re with family. Putting on that tie felt iconic, it was like winning the BAFTA of the school uniforms! It was a pinch me moment.

What is it like reading the Waterloo Road scripts for the first time and have you had a favourite scene to film so far?

There is always a big buzz when a new script is sent out to all the cast, as it’s like finding out what your best mates are going to get up to in the future. I always save them till I’m in bed and comfy so I can really take it all in and try and read it all at once. I don’t look at the group chat till I have read them, so I don’t get any spoilers.

I have enjoyed lots of scenes and love that Stacey has had some iconic one-liners. But without revealing too much, my favourite and most challenging scenes haven’t even been filmed yet.

What is the show like to be part of and what are you enjoying most about working on the series?

To be a part of such a big production is humbling as I’m only a little piece of a complex jigsaw. I’m loving the feeling of being back at school (but this time I get to do it my way). I’m loving building friendships for life and getting to work with lots of amazing directors and writers. Each one brings their own unique style, which in turn gives me great opportunities to grow as an actress.

How has it been seeing the viewers’ response to Stace and who do you think will enjoy watching Series 13 of Waterloo Road?

It’s been overwhelming to say we have only scratched the surface of this larger-than-life character and the viewers have supported Stace to the max. I love getting the edits that people make on social media and all the lovely messages and comments. Yes, I do see you all so this is my chance to say a personal “Thank you”!

Who watches Waterloo Road? Well, I would say it’s a family affair! It’s an appointment to view that can spark conversations, the show tackles a lot of modern issues that young people and families are dealing with in real life. It reflects what young people are passionate about and how they are fighting to make changes. But it’s all done in true Waterloo Road style with a bit of humour, friendships, romance and definitely mischief.

Last year, you played Jade Wilkes in Better for BBC, what was this like to film?

Playing Jade was totally different to anything I had done, to be part of such a stellar cast in a hard-hitting police drama was a tick box on the wish list. It was all filmed in my hometown of Leeds, so this made it extra special. It was a drama I would have sat down and watched regardless, so to be a part of it was a very proud moment. Not sure if you caught it, but the scenes where Jade is subject to an attack from a bunch of local thugs was like nothing I had ever done before. I had to have my face moulded in plaster of Paris by the very talented Davy Jones who then made some very realistic prosthetics. I took the liberty of FaceTiming and shocking everyone in my contact list in full beat-up makeup.

How was your time on set of The Teacher as Izzy and how was it getting into character?

Ahh The Teacher! This really holds so many memories, it was a major experience. I travelled to Budapest to film this even though it was set in Bradford. It was my second time working with Sheridan Smith, who I have learnt so much from over the years, she was so happy to see me as the last time we worked together was on the film adaptation of David Walliams’ Ratburger when I played Tina Trotts. The very talented Sharon Rooney played my mum so it was easy to get into character being surrounded by such professionals. Sam Bottomley played my on-screen boyfriend Kyle but he had his work cut out with “Miss sassy pants Izzy”, she wasn’t going to make it easy for him or Jenna, Sheridan’s character.

Can you tell us about guest-starring as Marnie in Jimmy McGovern’s Moving On?

Wow, this was probably the most challenging part to date, it was an hour-long episode and I think my character Marnie appeared in every scene. It was emotional, gritty and heart-warming all at the same time. Marnie was a gifted but neglected teenager whose education became jeopardised when she was made homeless. Jimmy McGovern and his team of writers produced a great script, so I really wanted to do my best to bring it to life, with the help of Colin McKeown MBE and the team down at LA Productions in Liverpool, it came together seamlessly producing a great episode for this hard-hitting daytime drama.

What are some of your favourite memories from playing Chloe in Almost Never for your first regular role on screen?

I grew up as Chloe. I think just being young and part of such a big CBBC production taught me priceless lessons that no drama school could have ever given me. It was my training ground and got me through those awkward teenager years. Chloe and the whole cast will always hold a special place in my heart as we navigated being a part of such a popular show, but also grew up together. I still get recognised now from it, as the viewers really got attached to the storylines and the whole concept of the boyband and Chloe and Nate’s love story. Having my first on-screen kiss on a CBBC show is definitely one for the award speech!

You voiced India Vincent-Jones in the 2022 Audible series Radioman, how different did you find this to your previous projects?

Voicing a character without the visuals is always going to prove more challenging, but fortunately I had done a lot of voiceovers and radio plays before, so it wasn’t me going in cold to such a big gig. As you can imagine, I wanted to bring my A game as I was acting alongside Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, David Morrissey and Cathy Tyson to name a few. I just made sure I was familiar with the script and learnt it off book, because even though you’re able to read as you’re recording, I wanted to have the freedom and security to really give it my best.

What was it like presenting Love! Love! Love! on CBBC and can you say about some of the episodes you filmed?

I Love Love Loved it! I always enjoy my presenting so when I get a chance to fit it in alongside my acting roles, it gives me a nice change to just be myself. I love meeting people and I’m never stuck for words, I could talk the hind leg off a donkey or so my teachers used to say. We went all over the UK meeting young people talking about the latest trends and letting them be their music icons for the day. It was magical just seeing their faces light up watching themselves on camera. It was a great laugh with a great team and it gave me the chance to immerse myself in props from feather boas to air guitars.

How did you find the experience as a contestant on the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing last year and what was it like performing with Neil Jones?

Just going to put out there that Mr Neil Jones is a real-life superhero! The whole Strictly experience was as magical as it looks on the TV: a tsunami of glitter with the magic of Christmas thrown on top. It was life changing.

I have never been a dancer so as you can imagine putting yourself out there with a live performance on one of the most watched shows on Christmas Day was nerve-racking. But with Neil’s guidance and patience, I managed to do us both proud, 39 out of 40 isn’t bad for someone with two left feet.

What encouraged you to take part in the Christmas special and what would you have liked to have known before rehearsals started?

What encouraged me was the challenge, I’m never one to give up for the fear of trying or not doing something because I know I won’t be the best. I’m a tryer and I will work that little bit harder to give it my best shot. It’s a principle I try and approach all life’s challenges with, if I try and fail at least I tried. Sometimes when life gets a little overwhelming, I watch the performance back and it reminds me to just go for it as if I can do that, I can do anything I put my mind to.

I wish I had known before rehearsals started that I would be lowered down 12ft on a giant Christmas bauble ring. Then have a full jive to do once I got over that. Phew!

What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?

I love everything from reality TV, dramas and hard-hitting documentaries.

Up there at number one has to be Killing Eve, Jodie Comer is phenomenal. To despise, love and respect a character all in one ball of emotion was a real memorable watch.

I have recently plucked up courage to watch my first horror in the cinema. This was a big step for me as I have always had such a vivid imagination that horrors were a no go, I couldn’t even watch Harry Potter as a kid, so I was super proud of myself and actually enjoyed the jump scares.

How do you like to spend your free time?

What free time! Only joking… I am just like any other 20 year old, I enjoy hanging out with friends, you might catch me having a little two step on the dance floor on a Saturday night. My family are very important to me, so family time is always a priority. The gym is my go-to, this keeps my energy under control and ensures my stress levels are never too overwhelming.

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

I am a great believer in, I am exactly where I am meant to be. I am enjoying Stace and looking forward to what she has in store at Waterloo Road.

I have a great team behind me that work in harmony rolling all things Tillie into fabulous experiences, so watch this space as you never know where I might pop up.

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