For Hattie Dynevor’s first professional acting role, she joined the cast of Waterloo Road in 2024 as Libby Guthrie, working with a cast including her on-screen father Neil Fitzmaurice, who is the school’s history teacher Neil Guthrie. Hattie played Libby for five series before her character left after senior prom in the recently-released Series 17, and at last year’s Inside Soap Awards, she was nominated for Best Drama Star. Over her time in Waterloo Road, Hattie worked on numerous storylines including one where Libby was involved with fellow cast member Matthew Khan’s character Jared Jones, which saw him arrested at the end of Series 15, and whilst in the cast, Hattie was a guest on Saturday Mash-Up with Tillie Amartey. Chatting with us, Hattie spoke about joining the cast of Waterloo Road in 2024 as Libby Guthrie, what it was like developing the character over five series, working with her on-screen father Neil Fitzmaurice and being nominated at last year’s Inside Soap Awards.
Since 2024, you have played Libby Guthrie – one of the lead regular characters in Waterloo Road; how was it finding out you’d been cast in the series and what originally drew you to the character?
Finding out I’d been cast in Waterloo Road was honestly surreal. I remember getting the call and just feeling such a mix of excitement and disbelief because it was my first professional job. I’d grown up knowing the show and how iconic it is in British television, so to suddenly be part of it felt really special.
With Libby having now left the school after the senior prom, is there anything you miss most about filming, and what was it like having Libby as your first professional acting role?
I think what I’ll miss most is definitely the people. When you film a show for that long, the cast and crew really become like a second family, so being on set every day with them was such a special experience.
Having Libby as my first professional role was such an incredible introduction to the industry. I learned so much – not just about acting, but about how a television production works. I feel really lucky that my first job was on a show that has such a supportive environment.
How would you describe Libby and what was she like to play?
Libby is strong-willed, opinionated and quite fearless, but she’s also very emotional and loyal to the people she loves. What I found really interesting about playing her was that she often led with confidence, but there were moments where you could see the vulnerability underneath that.
She was a really fun character to play because she had quite a lot of energy and personality, and she wasn’t afraid to say exactly what she was thinking.
How was it developing the character over five series, and what was it like reading the scripts for your storylines for the first time?
Developing Libby over several series was one of the most rewarding parts of the job because you really get to watch a character grow. Each series revealed something new about her and her relationships, so it felt like she was constantly evolving.
Reading the scripts for the first time was always exciting because you never quite know what direction the writers are going to take the character in. Sometimes there were storylines that were quite emotional or intense, and those were always interesting to dive into as an actor.
What was it like filming opposite Neil Fitzmaurice (as your on-screen father and the school’s history teacher Neil Guthrie) and with the rest of the cast?
It was such a brilliant experience working with everyone. The cast is incredibly talented but also really supportive, which makes a huge difference when you’re filming long days together.
Working with Neil Fitzmaurice was particularly special because he’s so experienced and generous as an actor – I learned a lot just from being in scenes with him. The whole ensemble had a really strong chemistry, which made filming feel very natural.
Did you have any favourite scenes to film, and were there any you found most challenging?
Some of my favourite scenes were the big group scenes because there’s always such a fun energy on set when the whole cast is together.
The more emotional scenes were probably the most challenging, particularly when Libby was going through difficult moments in her storylines. Those scenes can be quite intense, but they’re also really rewarding because they allow you to explore the character more deeply.
What was it like seeing the fan response to your character and storylines and how was it being nominated for Best Drama Star at the 2025 Inside Soap Awards?
The fan response has honestly been amazing. When you’re filming, you’re so focused on the work that you don’t always think about how people will respond to it, so seeing viewers connect with Libby and her storylines has been really special.
Being nominated for Best Drama Star at the Inside Soap Awards was such an honour. It was one of those moments where everything suddenly felt very real, and I felt incredibly grateful for the support.
You were a guest on Saturday Mash-Up alongside Tillie Amartey; how did you find the experience?
It was so much fun! The show has such a lively energy, and it was great to be there with Tillie as well. It’s quite different from filming a drama because everything is happening live and there’s a lot going on, but it was a really enjoyable experience.
How do you typically prepare for new characters and auditions?
For me, it usually starts with reading the script several times and trying to understand the character’s motivations and relationships. I like to think about their background and what might have shaped them as a person.
With auditions, I try to keep it quite instinctive and focus on making the performance feel truthful, rather than overthinking it too much.
Can you tell us about your process for learning scripts?
I’ll read the scenes through multiple times and then run the lines out loud until they start to feel natural. Once I know the words, I try to focus more on the intention behind the lines rather than just remembering them. If someone is around to test me on my lines, that definitely helps.
How did you originally get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I first got into acting when I was younger and realised how much I enjoyed performing and storytelling. It started with training and auditions, and over time I realised it was something I wanted to pursue professionally.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I love character-driven shows. Some of my favourites are The White Lotus, Normal People and Fleabag. They’re all so well written, and the performances are amazing, which makes them really enjoyable to watch as an actor.
How do you like to spend your free time?
In my free time, I like to stay quite active. I love doing Pilates and spending time at the gym, and I also enjoy catching up with friends and family. I’m quite a big fan of travelling and exploring new places when I get the chance, and I also love watching films and TV and going to the theatre.
Do you have a favourite aspect about working as an actor?
My favourite part is probably the opportunity to step into different characters and tell different stories. Every project is completely different, which keeps the job really exciting.
Have you received any advice over your time in the industry so far that has stuck with you?
One piece of advice that has really stuck with me actually came from my mum. She always reminds me to focus on the work itself rather than the things you can’t control. The industry can be quite unpredictable, so that mindset has really helped me stay grounded and just enjoy the process.
What are you hoping this year brings for your career?
I’m really excited to keep developing as an actor and explore new roles and projects. I’d love to take on characters that challenge me in different ways and continue growing in the industry.
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