In the CBBC Enid Blyton adaptation Malory Towers, Edesiri Okpenerho joined the cast in Series 4 as June Johns, working closely with April V Woods as Felicity Rivers. The second part of Series 5 is set to release on 4th November, with Edesiri reprising her role, and a Series 6 has also been announced for a future release. Edesiri had her first regular role playing Imani in both series of the Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts, which is written and directed by Nida Manzoor, and Edesiri made her professional stage debut in 2020/2021 in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium. Edesiri answered our questions about joining Malory Towers in Series 4 as June Johns, her time as Imani in Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts and her experience making her professional stage debut in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Can you tell us about your character June Johns in Malory Towers and was there anything that drew you to the series?

June Johns is a very interesting character to watch – she has many perks that would make any audience laugh. Unfortunately, I can’t think of one specific thing that drew me to the show because there are just too many spectacular aspects to choose from!

How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role and what was it like joining the show in Series 4?

I felt absolutely astonished when I booked the role of June because I knew that this was going to be a very interesting chapter in my life. When I first joined the show, it was so surreal because everyone was so welcoming and it’s one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.

What is June like to play and how is it being part of a hugely popular Enid Blyton series for CBBC?

June is such a riveting character to play, because she says things I would never think of saying in quite a few situations – it’s very nice playing someone so different to myself. Being part of such a hugely popular Enid Blyton series is a privilege and knowing that people watch this show gives me such an amazing feeling, especially because I work with such a talented cast and crew.

What was it like meeting the rest of the cast for the first time and how did you prepare for taking on the role of June?

Meeting the cast for the first time was such a rich experience because everyone greeted me with open arms and smiles on their faces, so I knew this was going to be one of the best experiences in my life. In preparation for the role of June, I read the scripts and tried to get inside her head, to understand why she acts the way she does.

How do you find the experience on set of Malory Towers and what do you enjoy most about filming on location?

The set on Malory Towers was quite surreal – I have never been on a set of a TV show I’ve watched in the past. I think I enjoy the outdoors most when filming on location because we had this huge field in Devon where many memories were made because the cast would hang out there.

How was it returning to film the upcoming Series 6 and what can viewers expect from the new episodes?

Honestly, when I came back to film Series 6 it felt like I had never left. There are lots of exciting stories (like usual) and unexpected drama!

For your first regular role on screen, you play Imani in the Channel 4 sitcom We Are Lady Parts, what are some of your highlights from working on the show across both Series 1 and 2?

My highlight from Series 1 would be the last episode where there is this big band concert. I was young at the time, and they had to film late, so I got to stay up past my bedtime – nine-year-old me was very pleased! My highlight from We Are Lady Parts Series 2 is my costume and make-up. It was a completely different look each time, so each day I came to work I would wonder, “What is going to be my look today?”.

What is it like filming alongside the We Are Lady Parts cast and how is it being directed by the show’s creator Nida Manzoor?

Working alongside the We Are Lady Parts cast was an absolute pleasure because everyone was so nice and so welcoming. Nida Manzoor is extremely talented, and it was amazing to witness her in person – I feel privileged to work with her.

How would you describe Imani and how is it getting into character?

Imani in Series 1 was a sweet little girl who stuck by her mum’s side, but then in Series 2 she gets older and is trying out new things: a new style and arguing with her parents. Overall, I think she is a good demonstration of a normal 21st century teenage girl.

You made your professional stage debut in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at The London Palladium in 2020/2021, what was the musical like to perform in?

Rehearsals for the musical was very challenging, but the outcome was worth it. Thousands of people cheering and applauding you and your friends is something you’ll never forget, and that feeling is something words cannot describe.

Do you remember how you felt on your opening night in the production and how different do you find stage work to filming?

It was very overwhelming, and I can’t remember specific emotions, other than being nervous. It is completely different to filming in a TV show because in TV you can do the take over and over again until you get it right but with theatre you do the rehearsals for months and months and you really just cannot mess up in the live performance.

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

My love for acting comes from the joy of filming, if I’m being honest. I really don’t know how to describe it. I first got into acting because my mum drove past D&B Academy of Performing Arts whilst taking my brother and I to our piano lesson. She wanted to go in and sign me up for dance lessons, but she signed me up for the acting, singing and dancing classes instead. Luckily for me, the acting coaches were impressed, which resulted in me being signed to my agency, D&B Management – the rest is history.

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

Throughout the year I continue to do a few auditions, but I mostly focus on other things – primarily athletics and dance classes.

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

I’m hoping there will be more exciting roles that I can play, but at the moment I do not have any roles lined up.