From Series 13 to 17 of the popular BBC drama Waterloo Road, Zak Sutcliffe played Schumacher ‘Schuey’ Weever working on many major storylines alongside a cast including James Baxter (Joe Casey), Ryan Clayton (Mike Rutherford) and Niamh Blackshaw (Agnes Eccleston). Last year, Zak took over the role of Bobby Costello in Hollyoaks, with his time in the show ending as a result of Bobby’s murder by Jez Blake, played by Jeremy Sheffield, and at the 2025 Inside Soap Awards, Zak was nominated for Best Drama Star for his portrayal of Schuey and Best Newcomer for his portrayal of Bobby. Zak was a guest on Saturday Mash-Up alongside his Waterloo Road co-stars Maisey Robinson and Aabay Ali, with his previous projects including short film Your Move as Joe Mainst (which was written and directed by Zak’s 4 O’Clock Club co-star Daniel Kerr), and he was in the cast of feature film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, which was the sequel and conclusion to the series. Having started his acting career as a child actor, Zak’s screen roles include playing Peter Pan in Peter Pan and Wendy, Kim Garvey in No Offence, Luke in Grimsby, before taking on the role of Evan in CBBC series 4 O’Clock Club. Catching up with Zak, he answered our questions about his lead regular character of Schumacher ‘Schuey’ Weever in Waterloo Road, taking over the role of Bobby Costello in Hollyoaks and being in the cast of feature film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die.

How have you found your time playing a lead regular character in Waterloo Road and being part of one of the UK’s most popular TV dramas?

I’ve now portrayed Schuey Weever for five seasons over the course of three years, while genuinely enjoying every day of it, thanks to the writing, crew and my co-stars!

What was it like getting into character as Schumacher ‘Schuey’ Weever and what would you say was the most challenging aspect of playing the character?

Schuey’s journey made getting into character almost second nature. The events of the show would reshape Schuey’s outlook in real time as we shot it, making it essential that I was present and in tune with the gradual development.

How would you describe Schuey and how different was the character to play from when you joined in Series 13 to when you left in Series 17?

When I first joined in series 13, my main goal was to be dynamic and fun to watch! Then develop the character as and when I got the scripts for each episode. As seasons passed, we learned a lot about Schuey. By Series 17, my main goal became honouring the history and immersion within the show (while still having fun with it).

As Schuey was involved with many major storylines, did you have a favourite scene/episode to film and how did you prepare for the big storylines?

My favourite scenes to shoot were always with Billy and Agnes – both people who bring out the worst and best in Schuey. My only prep for these scenes was knowing my lines, since both Olly Rhodes and Niamh Blackshaw would consistently set me up for success and let the moments flow naturally.

What was it like meeting and working alongside your fellow cast members (which include Niamh Blackshaw as Agnes Eccleston, Maisey Robinson as your on-screen sister Portia Weever, James Baxter as Joe Casey and Ryan Clayton as Mike Rutherford), and reading the new scripts for the first time?

Throughout the years, I’ve built strong personal relationships with the cast, especially those Schuey tends to share screen time with.

Niamh/Agnes showed us a new side to Schuey and widened my own outlook on my craft.

James/Joe lightened Schuey up, and taught Zak a lot about timing and improv.

Ryan/Mike taught Schuey forgiveness and reliability, while inspiring myself to stay fit and capable.

Finally, Maisey/Portia felt like my little sis both on and off camera – it felt natural to look out for her and beam with pride when she’d shine.

How was it filming your final scenes and is there anything you miss most about being on set of Waterloo Road?

Filming my final scenes felt like leaving school – only this time, I wasn’t so excited about it…

I feel lucky to have spent my last moment in front of the camera dancing with my friends! I miss them.

In June last year, you took over the role of Bobby Costello in Hollyoaks, how was it being offered the role and returning to the show having previously filmed as guest character Tommy Bradshaw in 2021?

I was excited to step back onto the Hollyoaks set after making a few friends there under the name Tommy Bradshaw back in 2021.

How was it having Bobby killed on-screen by Jez Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) and seeing the fan response to Bobby’s return and murder?

After 12 years in the industry, Bobby Costello served as my first time dying on screen. Being tasked with making his final moments as impactful as possible was an honour and a fun challenge, and the fan response to my efforts was heartwarming. Here’s hoping Hollyoaks cast me as a third character one day!

How did you find the experience attending the 2025 Inside Soap Awards and being nominated for Best Drama Star for your portrayal of Schuey in Waterloo Road and Best Newcomer for your role in Hollyoaks?

I had a great time at the Soap Awards! Apparently being nominated for two characters across two shows within one year is an industry first, so this made only winning NationalWorld’s “Worst Dressed” go down a lot easier lol.

Alongside Maisey Robinson and Aabay Ali, you were a guest on Saturday Mash-Up, what was this like?

Hanging out with Aabay, Maisey and the crew over at Saturday Mash-Up was a right laugh! The slime was cold, and the slime got stuck in my ears for a day or two.

Can you tell us about filming as Joe Mainst in the short film Your Move, which was written and directed by your 4 O’Clock Club co-star Daniel Kerr?

Working on Daniel Kerr’s Your Move years after our time together on 4 O’Clock Club was really cute. Getting to see him write, direct and act at the same time really inspired me.

How familiar were you with the Netflix series The Last Kingdom before booking the 2023 feature film The Last Kingdom: Seven Kings Must Die, and how was it working on the sequel and conclusion to the series?

I was unfamiliar with The Last Kingdom before auditioning, but in the three weeks between getting the audition and starting filming in Hungary, I had binge-watched all four seasons (finishing the fifth on set), while also squeezing in a few episodes of Vikings and some playtime on Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

I got to spend three months in Budapest to shoot Seven Kings Must Die, learn to ride horses, fire bows, wield swords, and hold a shield wall, all while meeting awesome people and immersing myself in a world I was newly a fan of.

You played Edmund in the film; can you tell us about the character and what was it like on set?

My character Edmund was young and fairly quiet in the movie – always watching and hungry to learn from his peers. I wanted this to hint at his military prowess later in the character’s life.

Similarly, the cast and crew guided me, much like they would the young prince.

Having started your career as a child actor in projects such as Peter and Wendy and No Offence, what do you feel you’ve learnt from your time in the acting industry so far, and is there anything you would have liked to have known before starting out?

I began my career at the age of 13. My first job was an unpaid student film called Adventure Quest, and my second was Sacha Baron Cohen’s Grimsby. In year one, I learned no matter the scope or the budget, I love this.

As a working class lad from a Bradford council estate, the opportunity to travel the world with talented, interesting people was otherworldly! I only wish I had treated all this like a business rather than a hobby much sooner.

Have you been given any advice over your career so far that has stuck with you, and what advice would you give a new actor hoping to film for screen?

At age 14, Sacha Baron Cohen told me I reminded him of a young Marlon Brando, and subsequently I told him I didn’t know who that was… I’ve since done my research, but I look at that as a good lesson to trust my script work, understanding of the written circumstances, and, most importantly, my instincts.

With that, I’d urge any new actor to get to know themselves, understand your archetype and put your best foot forward whenever possible.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I try to enjoy my free time.

I spend most of it with my family and friends, either gaming, training, creating, or watching movies.

I recently watched A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and my medieval hyper-fixation demands I find an opportunity to work on it ASAP.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about, and what are you hoping 2026 brings for you?

As for upcoming projects, other than Blood Red, hopefully releasing in June, I thankfully have some acting work lined up. Nothing I’m allowed to talk about, but being excited in secret is nothing new to me at this point.

I hope this year brings opportunity to explore my fill of compelling projects, moments to grow and moments to remember.

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