Last year, India Lily Cooper played the co-lead role of Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde at The Old Joint Stock Theatre working opposite Samuel Murray as Clyde, and amongst her further stage projects, she has been in the casts of Cry Baby and Fiddler on the Roof. As a screen actor, India was seen in Series 3 and 4 of school drama Phoenix Rise as regular character Faith, which starred Alex Draper as Billy Hopkins, with the series having been released on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, and in 2024, she was a guest on Saturday Mash-Up. For India’s first recurring role, she played Clara Robertson in Doctors in 2022, and she’s worked on a number of short films such as Tyrannosaur and the Secret Garden. We caught up with India about playing co-lead character Bonnie in Bonnie & Clyde at The Old Joint Stock Theatre, her time as Faith in Phoenix Rise and working on Doctors as recurring character Clara Robertson.
As a theatre actor, you have most recently starred in last year’s production of Bonnie & Clyde at The Old Joint Stock Theatre as Bonnie opposite Samuel Murray as Clyde; how was it telling the story and how familiar were you with the musical before being cast?
Telling the story of Bonnie & Clyde was such a privilege for me. I’ve always been a huge fan of the musical ever since I first saw it at the Arts Theatre when it came to the UK, starring Frances Mayli McCann and Jordan Luke Gage. I later watched the UK tour with Katie Tonkinson and Alex James-Hatton, and from that moment on, I was completely hooked.
Before we started working on the show, it was really important to me to learn as much as possible about the real Bonnie and Clyde. Because we were portraying real people with real lives and real stories, I wanted to understand who they truly were beyond the legends that surround them.
Our producer, James Edge, recommended that we read They Go Down Together by Jeff Guinn, and it turned out to be such an insightful book. It gave me a much deeper understanding of their lives, their relationship, and the world they lived in, which really helped shape how I approached the role.
How did you find the experience playing the co-lead character in the show and what was Bonnie like to play?
Playing the co-lead in the show was an incredible experience, and one I feel truly grateful to have had. Being trusted with such an important role came with a real sense of responsibility, but it was super exciting to carry the story and bring these characters to life each night. Working so closely with the cast, we were able to build such a strong connection on stage, which really helped to tell their story in an honest and emotional way.
What I loved most was getting the chance to play such a strong female character. Bonnie is fiercely determined, passionate, and completely unapologetic for wanting more in life. She refuses to settle for the path that society expected from her. Bonnie was also vulnerable and human, and I enjoyed finding that balance between her strength and her softer side. Being able to bring these layers to an audience and show them who Bonnie Parker might have been was one of the most fulfilling experiences for me. I found it really empowering to portray a woman who is driven by her dreams and isn’t afraid to chase them, even when the world around her tries to limit her.
How was it performing at The Old Joint Stock Theatre and do you have any favourite highlights from the run that you can share?
Performing at The Old Joint Stock Theatre was such a special experience. It’s such an intimate and unique venue, which meant we were able to feel the audience’s reactions so closely each night. The closeness really added to the show of Bonnie & Clyde, where the emotions and relationships between the characters are so, so important.
I loved how connected the cast and audience felt together. Because the space is smaller, every moment feels very immediate and personal, which made each performance feel so alive. Being able to connect with people so closely really brought our story together.
My highlight of the run was the bond our cast built. Telling such an intense story night after night meant that as a cast we really supported each other and had each other’s backs. That made the whole experience even more memorable. My time at The Old Joint Stock felt very special, and will be a job I will always look back on with pride.
Can you tell us about your previous stage work, which has seen you perform in Calendar Girls, Cry Baby, The Changing Room and Fiddler on the Roof, and how different do you find it to screen acting?
I’ve been really lucky to work on a range of productions. Each show has been completely different, which has been such a valuable experience as an actor.
On stage, everything has to be bigger – the voice, the physicality, and the energy – so that the story reaches the audience. With screen, it’s often more subtle and intimate, as the camera can catch such small details and expressions. Both have their own challenges and rewards. Stage allows you to have the excitement of performing live and developing your skills and choices over the course of a run, whilst screen allows you to explore the quieter and more detailed moments. I really loved working in both stage and screen, as it allows me to keep constantly evolving.
What was it like joining the cast of Phoenix Rise for the BBC in Series 3 and what do you remember from your first day on set of the series?
Joining the cast of Phoenix Rise was the most memorable and exciting experience I have had to date. It was amazing to step into a show that already had such a strong cast – everyone was completely welcoming from the start! My experience of being cast happened very quickly; going from my recall to starting filming in three days was crazy!
I remember the first day being such a mix of excitement and nerves. Walking into the read-through on the first day and seeing the whole cast and crew was amazing – seeing how many people are involved in a production really gives you the appreciation for the scale of TV projects. Once we started filming, the nerves quickly slipped away. The cast and crew created such a welcoming and warm environment that meant it was easy to settle in and focus on the work.
How would you describe your character Faith and what do you feel you learnt from working on the show throughout Series 3 and 4?
I would describe Faith as a real force to be reckoned with. She is bold, fearless, and definitely someone who isn’t afraid to stand up for herself. She tries to navigate the challenges around her whilst still figuring out who she is. She always cared deeply about the people in her life, but, like many young people, she is also dealing with pressures, emotions, and situations that can push you to make difficult choices.
Faith’s background played a big part in who she is. Being adopted shaped a lot in Faith’s outlook on her life and her relationships – she had to navigate questions about identity and belonging, which made her fiercely independent and determined to carve her own way in life.
Playing Faith taught me a lot about strength and standing up for what you believe in. It encouraged me to be more confident in my choices and to trust my instincts when bringing her to life.
During filming, I also experienced a very personal loss of my grandad, around that time we were working on the final few episodes of Season 4, which centred heavily on the theme of loss. This was a surreal experience to be exploring these feelings through the story while also going through something so similar in my own life. In a way, it made those scenes feel even more meaningful and real and I was able to approach them with more understanding of the emotions behind them.
Although it was a difficult time, it also reminded me how important relationships are. The cast and crew went above and beyond and were incredibly kind. Looking back, this experience taught me a lot about resilience and how storytelling can connect with emotions in powerful ways.
How was it reading the Phoenix Rise scripts for the first time and seeing the fan response when the series released on BBC Three/iPlayer?
Reading the scripts for the first time was super exciting. I remember feeling really drawn into the storylines straight away, especially seeing Faith’s journey continue to develop and the challenges she would face.
When the season released on BBC, seeing the fan responses and reactions was just amazing. It’s always nerve-racking, as you hope people will connect with your character and their story, but the reaction was just so positive. Having received messages on Instagram from individuals explaining how much they related to Faith and how seen they feel, I knew then I had done my job.
You were a guest on CBBC’s Saturday Mash-Up in 2024, what was it like filming for live TV?
Being a guest on CBBC Mash-Up was so much fun! It was my first time filming for live TV, and it definitely comes with a bit of adrenaline, but that’s what makes it so exciting, especially getting to share the experience with one of my cast members and good friends, Krish Bassi.
What was it like taking on the recurring role of Clara Robertson in Doctors in 2022 and can you tell us about your storyline?
Taking on the role of Clara Robertson on Doctors was an exciting opportunity. Getting to step into such an established show was fantastic. Clara was a fun character to play – her artwork had been stolen, which left her feeling hurt and frustrated, with help from Valerie Pitman along the way, who was played by the amazing Sarah Moyle. What I enjoyed most was exploring Clara – she wasn’t just annoyed, but someone who felt deeply wronged and was navigating how to feel with that.
Having been part of the short films #whatareyoudoing? as Sophie, It’s Just a Boy as Eve and Tyrannosaur and the Secret Garden as Lioness, what were these like to film?
Working on short films was such a memorable time. Working on my first ever acting job as Lioness in Tyrannosaur was particularly special – stepping onto set for the first time, being part of a filmmaking process, and being trusted for the first time with a role. Joey Lever, who directed Tyrannosaur, I will always be grateful for.
The joy of short films is that they really allow you to experiment, take creative risks, and collaborate with filmmakers. There is a real sense of collaboration between cast and crew. They’ve always been such an important part of my journey, and have given me the chance to work with passionate filmmakers who tell meaningful stories.
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I first got into acting when I moved to the UK from Western Australia. I was always into sports and never even thought about acting as a career! I joined a theatre group in the Midlands, and knew from then I felt as though I belonged.
Being a working-class actor has always been central to me. Acting has given me a platform to tell stories that matter, to give a voice to characters and experiences that aren’t always seen, and to challenge stereotypes about who belongs on stage and screen. I am super passionate about showing talent that isn’t limited by background – that stories from working-class perspectives are just as important and powerful as any other. Representation matters.
I hope that by being visible and vocal in my work, I can inspire others from a similar background to pursue their dreams in the arts. I didn’t go to drama school, partly because the funding was so expensive, so I’ve had to carve my own path and learn on the job. Acting, for me, isn’t just about performance – it’s about creating opportunities, breaking down barriers, and helping to make this industry accessible and inclusive for everyone.
Do you have any favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?
My favourite films currently are Wes Anderson’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, La La Land, and a recent watch that I loved was Jessie Buckley in Hamnet, which was super inspiring. TV shows I love to watch are Rivals and The Office (they are always on rotation for me), and my favourite watch is Normal People on BBC.
How do you like to spend your free time?
In my free time, I love to spend time with my family and friends, especially with my mum. We go and see a lot of theatre and films together, and she is a huge rock in my career. I also love going charity shopping – finding new bargains, recycling clothes, and finding them a new life!
What are you hoping this year brings for you, and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?
This year, all I hope for is to keep exploring and opening myself up to new opportunities. It’s a super exciting time to be able to be part of a fully growing and evolving industry, and I’m really looking forward to where this year takes me creatively.
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