For Bea Ward’s first on-screen regular role, she plays Jessica in the CBBC comedy series High Hoops, with a cast including Darci Hull as Aoife and Robert Webb as Mr. Holt, and she reunited with the cast at the BAFTA screening event before the show was released on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on 17th March, and a second series has been announced, with Bea reprising her role. Further screen projects for Bea have seen her appear in the screen adaptation of Wicked as a Munchkinland Kid and she has filmed a music video for LEGO. As a theatre actor, Bea was part of the workshop of the world premiere of 13 Going on 30 the Musical at Battersea Arts Centre in 2023 as Lulu, where she worked with Lucie Jones (Jenna Rink) and director Andy Fickman. Previously, Bea played Young Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde at the Arts Theatre in the West End as well as being involved with the screened version, which was released in cinemas earlier this month, and the concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, and after attending an open audition for School of Rock, she booked her West End and professional debut as Tomika in the musical. Bea is set to be part of an unannounced project after the filming of Series 2 of High Hoops, which will see her be in contract for almost a year. Chatting with Bea, she told us about playing Jessica in CBBC comedy series High Hoops, being part of the workshop of the world premiere of 13 Going on 30 the Musical in 2023 and her further projects including the new Wicked film, Bonnie & Clyde and School of Rock.
Can you tell us about the new CBBC comedy series High Hoops and who do you think it will appeal to?
High Hoops follows Aoife and her family as they move to a new area and a new school. Aoife sees this as an opportunity to change her life but soon discovers the only place she really fits in is the school 3×3 basketball team – the catch is that they’re terrible. The show is about finding your tribe, determination and being true to yourself. I think the show will appeal to young children, teens and adults!
How would you describe your character Jessica and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role?
I would describe my character Jessica as feisty, sassy, tough and not a team player. But personally, I think she’s like this because of how hard her mum is on her to be the best.
When I found out I got the role, I was ecstatic and a little bit in shock because who doesn’t want to be in a TV series!?
What is Jessica like to play and did you have any favourite scenes to film?
Being able to play Jessica was so fun and also kind of exciting because I didn’t know I had a mean side to me. I think my favourite scenes to film were, of course, any times we were on the court playing basketball and all of the party scenes because we got to dress up and have really cool hair and makeup.
How are you finding the experience having Jessica as your first on-screen regular role and what is it like being part of a new CBBC series?
I think the experience of having Jessica be my first regular on-screen role is kind of surreal. I’ve done filming before but only for small roles in huge productions. It’s cool knowing that people younger, the same age, and older will watch this new CBBC series and know who Jessica is.
What was it like meeting and filming with the rest of the High Hoops cast, and how was it reuniting with them for the recent BAFTA screening event?
Filming with the High Hoops cast was so easy. We all meshed incredibly fast and became a really tight-knit group immediately, which really helped us whilst filming. Reuniting with them at the BAFTA screening was so wholesome. A lot of us hadn’t seen each other since filming and it was really nice to be able to get together and celebrate our hard work with each other.
What do you enjoy most about being on set of High Hoops and how was it hearing the news that it had been renewed for a second series?
When I’m on set, I think I just enjoy the people and the environment we create whilst working. Everyone on set has such a warm soul and I think that’s really important because it made all of us feel so welcome and safe. When I heard it was being renewed for a second series, I can’t say I was surprised because I already had a gut feeling that people would love it and want to see more of it. I’m definitely excited to see what happens in the next series and how all of our characters and their stories progress.
How was it filming for the screen adaptation of Wicked as a Munchkinland Kid?
When I was filming as a Munchkinland Kid in Wicked, it was almost dreamlike because you’re on these huge practical sets that have literally been made to resemble a real village because they made sure to make it feel and look as real as possible. Even though it was just a small role, I definitely felt like I was fully immersed into Munchkinland and the Tulip Fields. It was my first film job for Universal as well and I guess such a full-circle moment because I always said when I was younger that I wanted to become an actress.
In the world premiere workshop of 13 Going on 30 the Musical at the Battersea Arts Centre, you played Lulu, how was it being part of the workshop and being directed by Andy Fickman?
First of all, Andy Fickman!! I mean, he’s just the sweetest human on this earth and the best director. He really made sure we understood our characters and had fun with them at the same time. Being able to play Young Lulu amongst the cast was amazing because the movie is hilarious and doing it in real life and song version makes it even better.
What was it like reading the script for the first time and how familiar were you with the 2004 film before being cast?
When I first read the script, I was so happy that all of the iconic lines from the 2004 film were kept in it and also loved anything new that was added in. I was very familiar with the film before being cast because it was one of my go-to rom-com films when I started becoming a tweenager.
How was it taking on the role of Young Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde at the Arts Theatre in the West End and what was it like being involved with the streamed performance, which was released in cinemas earlier this month?
Taking on the role of Young Bonnie in the West End was such a joy. The score is incredible, which made my job super easy. In a way, I kind of related to Young Bonnie because she has this dream to become a star and she can see herself being one. Being involved with the streamed performance was really cool and a little scary because I had never been in front of a camera before, but I was really excited for it to be out in cinemas!
Having originally performed as Young Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde in Concert at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, how different did you find both productions?
Since we did Bonnie & Clyde as a concert first at Theatre Royal Drury Lane and then did the full run in the Arts, I don’t think I found them too different but I did really enjoy the different levels that were made for the stage with wooden planks for the concert.
You made your West End and professional debut in 2019 as Tomika in School of Rock, what are some of your favourite memories from performing in the musical?
Some of my favourite memories from making my West End debut as Tomika in School of Rock was the summer I spent in the house with all of the house kids, definitely my first show and the afterparty, Secret Santa and my last show.
We understand you have filmed with LEGO, can you tell us about this?
First of all, I LOVE LEGO. My brothers, my sister and I were constantly playing with it growing up and I still build LEGO to this day so to be able to film a music video for them was insane. I had a LEGO character that my outfit was the same as and she has great style, if I do say so myself.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?
I think my love of acting comes from just watching the TV in all honesty. Seeing these amazing actresses and actors on the screen and looking up to them when I was younger intrigued me and I think I knew that that’s what I wanted to do when I was older. My acting career kickstarted when I did my open audition for School of Rock and from there I’ve just continued doing what I love.
Do you have any favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
My favourite film has to be Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind or Pretty Woman, I could watch those films on repeat and never get bored. My favourite TV show is probably Stranger Things and my favourite musical is either Legally Blonde or Hamilton.
How do you like to spend your time away from acting?
When I’m not acting or performing, I like to just relax and enjoy my time off because even though I am doing what I love, it can be fatiguing on my body. So any time off I really do take advantage of. I also love to do a cheeky bit of shopping.
What are you hoping this year brings for you and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?
For this year, I am obviously filming a Series 2 of High Hoops, and after that something very exciting for almost a year, so I am very busy but I am just hoping to be really present in everything I do, to stay grounded and grateful for the gifts that God brings me.
Follow Bea on: