For Isla Gie’s most recently released screen role, she played Sabra in the 2023 short film Villain opposite Bella Ramsey, which was Isla’s first screen project she filmed. Further screen work for Isla includes Greta in numerous episodes of Mammals for Amazon (with James Corden playing her father), recurring character Child Zelda in Netflix’s The Sandman, playing Holly – the granddaughter of Christopher Walken’s character Frank – in Series 1 and 2 of The Outlaws, and she played Struan’s Daughter in the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses. It has been announced that Isla will be playing Suri in the fantasy film Land of Legend, and she is working on a TV series overseas and another feature film – Levon’s Trade, which is written by Sylvester Stallone. Since making her professional stage debut at seven years old as Young Éponine in Les Misérables, and later taking on the role of Little Cosette, Isla went on to play Cindy-Lou Who in the UK premiere of Dr Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas UK Tour and she starred as Matilda in the West End production of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical. Alongside her acting career, Isla is an artistic gymnast and competed at her first British Championships earlier this year, which led to her being invited to trial for the GB Aspire Squad where she was successful in gaining a place and will now be attending GB camps. In February, Isla came away with Silver in the All-Around and Bronze on Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor at the Scottish Championships, and she trains at Harrow Gymnastics Club. Isla likes to combine gymnastics and dance, and she became World Champion at the Dance World Cup in 2023 with Ignite Dance Company for her Acro solo. Answering our questions, we found out from Isla about playing Greta in Mammals for Amazon, filming as Holly in Series 1 and 2 of The Outlaws, starring as Matilda in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and being an artistic gymnast.

Most recently, you were seen on screen playing Sabra in the 2023 short film Villain opposite Bella Ramsey, can you tell us about the film and what was it like to work on?

This was my first screen role so it was extra exciting. I think Bella is such an incredible actor as well as the loveliest person and I learned so much working on that film. Sparky (Tehnsuko), the director, was brilliant to work with as well and I loved that it was all set in a cave which helped create the atmosphere. I also had prosthetics on my arms and neck as I was half girl, half dragon so that was a cool experience.

How was it playing Greta in numerous episodes of Mammals for Amazon?

This was such a fun show to film. I was quite a quirky character and had really mismatched clothes! James Corden played my dad and he was so funny. We had to do a scene with goats but every time they said action, one of the goats would make really loud noises! We tried about 10 times and in the end we had to change the scene because they wouldn’t behave!

How was the experience filming for Netflix’s The Sandman as recurring character Child Zelda?

I loved playing Zelda. I was dressed as a gothic bride and I had to walk through a graveyard talking to myself while Dream was following me. My character also got sucked into a vortex which was actually a giant bouncy castle slide! I was so excited to film that scene and every time I went down I ended up spinning around and going backwards so they kept that in as the final shot! I also got cyber scanned for that role, which is when about 200 cameras photograph you at the same time so they can then use that when creating the vortex. It was so weird!

In Series 1 and 2 of The Outlaws, you play Holly – the granddaughter of Christopher Walken’s character Frank, how would you describe your character and what was she like to play?

Holly was very sweet but also quite funny. I liked telling my grandpa he had no moral compass!

How was it filming alongside Christopher Walken and the rest of the cast and what did you enjoy most about being on set?

All of the cast were lovely and I got on really well with my on-screen brother Guillermo (Bedward), my mum Dolly Wells and my grandpa Christopher Walken. The directors were all so nice too. Stephen Merchant is so tall! I lived in Bristol with my chaperone Tracey when we filmed this and it was really fun as we had lots of day trips when we were there. I am so lucky to have Tracey as a chaperone as she looks after me so well. She’s like my second mum! I also turned 10 during the shoot and the crew all decorated my trailer and bought me a cake so it is definitely a birthday I will remember!

What was it like being part of the Apple TV+ series Slow Horses as Struan’s Daughter?

I actually filmed this with my brother Campbell so it was brilliant being able to share the experience with him as well. We had a lot of fun – maybe a bit too much as I got the hiccups at one point from laughing and had to keep holding my breath to try and get rid of them before we went back on set.

It’s been announced that you will be in the cast of Land of Legend as Suri, is there anything you can tell us about this?

I filmed this in Wales at the end of last year. It is a fantasy movie and my character had to sword fight in it so I got to work with a stunt coordinator, which I loved as I would like to be a stunt performer one day! I’m a bit of a daredevil. I love a roller coaster!

As a stage actor, you played Matilda in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical in the West End, how was it starring as the lead character in a Roald Dahl musical?

The opening night of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical was probably the best day of my life so far. I watched the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical in the West End when I was four years old and have sung the songs ever since. It is an incredible show and Matilda has a huge story to tell and I got butterflies every night that I performed as I was so excited.

Did you have a favourite song to perform in the show and what do you miss most about playing Matilda?

Quiet was definitely my favourite song as it is so powerful when there is the moment of stillness in the middle and the audience are all just silent. That was an amazing feeling. I miss so much about playing Matilda but probably the main things are the people as I loved all the kids and adult cast and I also miss walking down for the bow at the end of the show as the music was all happy and the audience would all be cheering.

What was it like playing Cindy-Lou Who in the UK premiere of Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas for their UK Tour?

Touring was the best experience. I loved our chaparones Hayley and Kim and the girls that I got to do the show with Eve (Corbishley), Bebe (Massey) and Sophie (Woods). It was such a magical show and really fun and bright. Loads of dancing and singing and I had a very sweet duet with The Grinch. We have so many funny stories from that show and from touring. Definitely memories to last forever.

What do you remember from making your professional debut in 2018 with Les Misérables as Young Éponine and later Little Cosette?

I actually don’t remember that much anymore as I was only seven when I was in Les Mis. I’m still really good friends with the girls that I rehearsed with. It was the first professional show for all of us so it was extra special. I remember Killian (Donnelly), who played Jean Valjean, used to high five me after my solo and Martin (Ball) and Sophie (Louise Dann), who played the innkeeper and his wife were always so kind to me. Once, I jumped when Sophie sang her first line really loud and I tripped over my bucket! But I just carried on and pretended that was supposed to happen!

You are also an artistic gymnast, and have recently competed at the 2024 British Championships at the M&S Arena in Liverpool, how did you find the experience at this competition?

Yes, I train at Harrow Gymnastics Club and do about 20 hours a week. This was my first British Championships and it was such an incredible experience. The M&S Arena has a great atmosphere and I loved all the strobe lighting and loud music they would play between rotations. I came 18th All-Around and made reserve for the beam and vault finals as I was 8th on both pieces and 12th on floor. Don’t ask about bars!! Based on my results, I was invited to trial for the GB Aspire Squad and I got in! I was so shocked but can’t wait to go to the camps.

What was it like competing at the Scottish Championships in February, and how did you feel winning Silver in the aspire All-Around and Bronze on Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam and Floor?

I am part of the Scottish PPP squad as my grandad is Scottish and it’s such a fun team to be part of. The camps are brilliant. We learn so much but I’ve also made amazing friends there. I didn’t expect to come anywhere in the Scottish so I was so happy to be 2nd AA and I was then invited to represent Scotland in the Caledonian International because of my results, which is such an honour.

Can you tell us about your gymnastics training and how was it preparing for both the British and Scottish Championships?

I have the best squad! There are a big group of us and we are all a similar age and working towards the same competitions so it makes training really fun. We all push each other but also support each other when it gets tough as gymnastics isn’t an easy sport mentally or physically!! My coach Olivia Curran is amazing and knows how to get the best out of us all but she is really supportive and makes every session fun. I can’t wait to get to the gym every day! She also gives us little ducks for doing well – for new skills or improvements and good attitudes. I love my collection. She also got me a big lucky duck for the Scottish and another one for the British and they must have worked! Thank you, Liv!

Is there anything you enjoy most about gymnastics and what is your favourite apparatus?

I love the satisfaction of getting a new skill and I also love training with the squad because we have fun every session.

My favourite piece of apparatus is beam. I’ve always loved beam because it’s such a challenge and I think it can look really beautiful. I also enjoy floor as I’m also a dancer. I train at Ignite Dance Company and that has really helped my artistry.

I like combining gym and dancing. I became World Champion at the Dance World Cup 2023 with Ignite Dance Company for my Acro solo. My teachers are Louise Harrison and Jody Squirrell. They are amazing. Ignite have insane dancers!

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

I was always very active so my mum took me to toddler gym classes when I was two so I could burn off some energy and I just loved it straight away. I like the variation between the different apparatus and I love the challenge.

I got into acting by going to an open casting call for Les Mis when I was seven. I just went for the experience and so I was really surprised to get the role but am so grateful that I did as I fell in love with performing. When I was in The Grinch, someone from my agency Curtis Brown was in the audience and that is how I got into that agency with Charlene McManus. That’s when I started to get auditions for screen roles. I am so lucky to be with Charlene as she is the nicest person. I remember her phoning me when I got the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and I could hardly even speak! She came to watch my opening night and is always so supportive and kind.

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch and do you have any favourite gymnasts?

My favourite TV show is definitely Modern Family. The characters are all so funny and they are brilliant actors. I think I have watched every episode!

I have so many favourite theatre shows!! The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical and Les Mis, of course! But I also love SIX and Wicked. I also watched the TV show I Have A Dream so I would now like to watch MAMMA MIA!, and the new Starlight Express when it comes out as my mum said that is a brilliant show on roller skates. I always listen to Magic at the Musicals because I love any musical theatre song really!

My favourite gymnast is Ondine Achampong. She is amazing on all apparatus but she is also a really nice person as I used to train at Sapphire with her. She is a huge inspiration to me.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I am usually doing more gymnastics at home! I also like reading and hanging out with my brother and my friends. I love making lists so I usually start my day with a list and then tick things off! That’s very satisfying!!

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

I am currently filming a TV series overseas, which is exciting, although I’m not allowed to say much about it yet. I am also filming a feature film called Levon’s Trade and I have an American accent in that which is really fun. The film is written by Sylvester Stallone and directed by David Ayer. I play Jason Statham’s daughter in it and he is so lovely. We filmed a scene the other day where we were driving in the car with the windows open and we had to keep redoing it as people would see Jason in the car and shout ‘we love you, Jason!’ through the window. It was really funny! Other than that, I’m enjoying school, gymnastics and dancing and will hopefully just spend lots of time with family and friends. And working on my bars!! That’s my biggest goal!