For Sophie Spatariu’s first professional acting project, she plays Juniper in the teen series Crongton, which premiered on 24th March on both BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. In the series, Sophie works alongside a cast including Samson Agboola as Lemar ‘Liccle Bit’ Jackson, Nielle Springer as Venetia King and Noah Cox as McKay Tambo, and Crongton is adapted by Archie Maddocks from the Alex Wheatle book series, and Sophie, alongside the cast, attended the premiere event earlier this year. Speaking with Sophie, she answered our questions about playing Juniper in the BBC Three teen series Crongton, what it was like having Juniper as her first professional acting role and working with the rest of the cast on the screen adaptation.

What drew you to the role of Juniper in Crongton and how would you describe the character?

When I initially received the audition of Juniper, I must say I was quite bewildered by all the bizarre things she was up to. Nevertheless, I think that this is what drew me to this role, as she was unpredictable and you never knew her next move. After receiving the script and immersing myself into her character, I figured that she was really ingenious as she always found solutions to help her friends; she just had a unique presence and manner. I also loved that I was able to share the same heritage as Juniper and speak Romanian in certain parts.

What was it like finding out you’d booked Crongton for your first professional acting project?

It was a feeling that I will never forget. My mum actually called me downstairs and told me that she has some bad news for me. Many scenarios were running around in my head: did I book the job, did I not? After a few moments of pure tension and anticipation, she told me that she will miss me a lot because I was going to Leeds to film for the next two months! I was so grateful and excited that I was given this incredible opportunity to explore and see what the acting industry entailed.

Had you read Alex Wheatle’s books before auditioning, and can you tell us about the series?

I had not read Alex Wheatle’s book prior to auditioning, but as soon as I received it I became interested in learning more about the adventures that go on in the world of Crongton!

The series revolves around the life of Liccle Bit and his friends, who each face various issues such as losing a loved one, or getting involved with the wrong people. Furthermore, a central theme that echoes throughout the series is the power of family and friendship, knowing that they will stand by you unconditionally and be the ones who never leave, no matter how hard things get.

What was Juniper like to play and how did you prepare for filming?

I had so much fun bringing Juniper’s character to life in Crongton! I had a lot of freedom to play around with her role and bring out her eccentric nature. Juniper is quite passionate about science, and she is quite intuitive; she notices people’s energies and often senses things that other people miss. Therefore, I became more interested in this particular topic and even tried to learn how to distinguish people’s auras. It was definitely quite a challenge but I believe that it helped me to understand her better in this aspect.

What do you remember from your first day working on Crongton and how did you find the experience on set?

My first day working on Crongton was by far one of the most special moments from this experience. It was surreal – I could not believe that I was there, it was truly a dream come true. I felt a wide range of emotions from being slightly nervous to bubbling with excitement and awe. I had always wondered how films and series were made, and through this I got to not only see the process but also participate in one! Throughout the whole course of filming, I learnt so many new things and had the opportunity to meet incredible people!

How was it filming with the rest of the cast, which includes Samson Agboola as Lemar ‘Liccle Bit’ Jackson, Nielle Springer as Venetia King and Noah Cox as Mckay Tambo?

It was a joy and pleasure to be surrounded and work with such talented people! There was a great energy on set – everyone embodied their characters in a fantastic way. Since the auditions and chemistry reads, we immediately clicked, and it felt as if we had known each other forever.

Do you have any favourite highlights from your time playing Juniper in Series 1 of Crongton that you can share, and what do you feel you’ve learnt from being involved with the show?

Every morning for around an hour, I would sit in the hair and makeup chair and be surprised by all the intricate and unique hairstyles designed for my character. Juniper’s hairstyles were definitely something that characterised her and I loved it! One thing that stuck with me from my participation in the show, was definitely the importance of surrounding yourself with people who genuinely care for you and give you that push of courage to make your dreams a reality. It deepened my gratitude for all the incredible people who have been by my side ever since day one.

How did you feel when Crongton premiered on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on 24th March and how was it watching the series for the first time?

As it was a Monday, we had school that day, but frankly I don’t think I paid much attention to the lessons as I was too excited to get home and watch it. I hosted a mini party with my friends to celebrate its launch onto our screens and we managed to finish the whole season in one afternoon! I was so proud of how everything came along and that I could see the results of what we had filmed. It was entertaining as I would see a particular scene and get flashbacks to the day that we filmed that on set. It was also my grandma’s birthday, so it was like a special gift for her!

What was it like attending the premiere event earlier this year?

As soon as I heard about the premiere event, I knew that it was going to be wonderful. I was not only excited to see the first two episodes, but I was also looking forward to meeting all the cast and crew members again after nearly a year since filming! We were also accompanied by influencers who took some interviews with us along with some photoshoots against the Crongton backdrop! It was such a lovely afternoon to celebrate the success of this series coming to life!

How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?

From a young age, I always loved performing for my family and often involved them in my ‘shows’. I started with ballet for three years and then with violin, which I am still pursuing. But it was in secondary school, when I decided to join the school play (Matilda), and that was when I fell in love with acting! I realised that this was my passion. My parents supported me greatly and signed me up for singing and acting classes.

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

I enjoy watching all genres of movies and series, particularly comedy and thriller. Recently, I watched a very intriguing movie called Missing on Netflix, which tells the story of a teen whose mum goes missing whilst on holiday using the screens of phones, security cameras and laptops. I found this specific format of filming to be unique and engaging, reflecting the advanced technological society we live in now. Also, I cannot forget to mention my favourite comfort series: Modern Family. It never fails to disappoint, always putting a smile on my face! And, more than just a favourite is Crongton; it holds a special place in my heart.

How do you like spending your free time?

My dog and I love spending time in nature, whether it is spending a warm, sunny, relaxing day in the park or going for a walk in the forest. I quite enjoy photography as well, so when I get the chance, I love to explore and travel to picturesque locations to practice my skill. I believe that it is crucial for everyone to try new experiences because you could discover a new part of yourself, perhaps a new talent or passion. Therefore, I am always seeking to broaden my collection of skills and hobbies.

Do you have a process for learning scripts, and what do you enjoy most about working in the acting industry?

Usually as soon as I receive my script, I split the content into small sections to make it easier to understand and to learn. I read through it a couple of times to strengthen my knowledge of the scenes, and I then record myself repeating them. I use that recording and listen throughout the day whenever I get the chance and, in that way, I manage to subconsciously remember them.

I believe that one of the most enjoyable things about working in this industry is all the amazing people you get the chance to meet and the knowledge you can learn.

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

I hope that this year will bring more opportunities that would support me in expanding my skills and hopefully being part of another amazing production like Crongton!

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