With Miya Ocego being in the cast of FLUSH at Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, she will now be performing in the show when it opens at the Arcola Theatre tomorrow – 6th May – for a month-long run, playing Flo / Tanya / Jade alongside April Hope Miller (also writer), Ayesha Griffiths, Jazz Jenkins and Joanna Strafford, and FLUSH marks Miya’s professional stage debut. As a screen actor, Miya was recently seen playing Miss Power in Series 4 of Bridgerton, which premiered in January on Netflix, working opposite Luke Thompson (who stars as Benedict Bridgerton), and she played regular character Lois Taylor-Brown in Waterloo Road, having joined the show in 2024 before leaving in the most recent series this year. Further screen projects for Miya has seen her play Jules across every episode of BBC crime drama The Jetty – which starred Jenna Coleman as Ember Manning, work on an episode of the multi-award-winning Netflix series Baby Reindeer and play Rosie Preston across both series of Wreck for the BBC. Over her career so far, Miya has attended events such as Gaydio Pride Awards, Royal Television Society Awards and Inside Soap Awards. Miya recently told us about her upcoming run in FLUSH at the Arcola Theatre, playing Miss Power in Bridgerton and her regular characters of Lois Taylor-Brown in Waterloo Road and Rosie Preston in Wreck.

On Wednesday 6th May, FLUSH starts its month-long run at Arcola Theatre, in which you play Flo / Tanya / Jade, can you tell us about the production?

Yes! So the play is set in a London-based nightclub toilet over the space of one night, and it explores the journey of, I think, 15 characters throughout their nights out – it’s a whirlwind.

This marks your professional stage debut, having originally performed in the show at Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, how are you finding playing multiple characters in a stage play?

It does – it was actually really nice to get back to my theatre roots with me originally training in musical theatre. Don’t get me wrong, it was so nerve-racking at first, but sharing the stage with the rest of the girls soon brought me back down to reality. It was also so well received during the sold-out run at the Fringe, the audience reactions were so lovely too.

How different do you find performing on stage to screen, and what are you looking forward to for returning to the show and performing at Arcola Theatre?

They are two completely different worlds! The idea of messing up on camera is a lot less daunting, as you can simply do another take, however, on stage you get one take! Luckily, we all got through it though! I was so excited when we got told the play had been picked up by the Arcola – April (Hope Miller), who wrote it, truly does deserve this as her vision and execution of the world we’re creating is just chef’s kiss!

Why would you recommend booking tickets to see FLUSH in London, which also stars April Hope Miller (also writer), Ayesha Griffiths, Jazz Jenkins and Joanna Strafford?

I think the fact we all really get along with each other does translate onto the stage and kind of bleeds out into the play, as at the core of this is female friendships. There is a true heart at the core of this story, which grounds all the characters throughout the roller coaster of the night (no spoilers!!).

What was it like taking on the role of Miss Power in Series 4 of Bridgerton, which premiered in January on Netflix, and how was it filming opposite Luke Thompson (who stars as Benedict Bridgerton)?

It was everything! This was my time going onto a job where I’ve watched the previous seasons and been a fan of the show, so the imposter syndrome hit hard and I had to stop myself from fangirling in the cast tent between takes. Luke was so sweet and welcoming, as was everyone else on set – he really is as much of a heartthrob off screen too just like Benedict.

Can you tell us about your character, and what did you enjoy most about working on the hugely-popular Netflix series?

Yes, I played Miss Power, one of the new debutantes in the series. My proudest moment was the fact that I got to bring some trans representation to the Ton. Miss Power really lives up to her name with the help of her iconic outfits. Another favourite moment of mine was her look in the masquerade ball, where she has these incredible fairy wings.

How did you find the experience playing regular character Lois Taylor-Brown in Waterloo Road and had you seen the series before joining the cast in Series 14?

Playing Lois was so much fun. There’s a huge sense of family at Waterloo Road, so most of the fun happened between takes in the green room with the other cast members – we’d always get told to be quiet from laughing too much. I hadn’t actually watched the series before joining, but of course had heard about how amazing the earlier seasons were!

What was it like finding out you’d booked the role of Lois and what were your storylines like to film?

I remember actually finding out in the airport on my way to meet friends on holiday, so I definitely celebrated by having a few drinks when I landed! My favourite storyline of Lois’s was by far her trans storyline and the heartfelt moments on screen with her nan – it was definitely worth ruffling the feathers of all the right-wing viewers xo

How would you describe Lois and how different was she to play opposed to your previous characters?

I actually found playing Lois one of the most difficult, as I found she was so similar to younger versions of myself, so I crossed paths with her a lot, which I found healing in many ways!

Do you have any favourite highlights from your time involved with Waterloo Road that you can share?

I think it’ll have to be all the TikToks I’d make with the girls (Tillie Amartey, Hattie Dynevor and Sonya Nisa). My fav is one where I accidentally break one of the props on set, and Tillie managed to get it on video 😭

You played Jules in the BBC crime drama series The Jetty, which stars Jenna Coleman as Ember Manning, how was it reading the scripts and playing Jules across every episode?

Yes! This was such a fun job, and one where I got to stay home for as it was filming around Manchester, which is always nice. Cat Jones, who wrote the series, is so talented – I can’t believe how gripped I was even just reading them when they got sent to me, so this made me even more excited to bring them to life on screen.

What was it like filming for an episode of the multi-award-winning Netflix series Baby Reindeer?

No one actually knows how or why I got this role. Basically, I was reading in for the role of Teri at the readthrough as the original actress couldn’t make it. At the end of the day, I think casting were just like, “Do you fancy throwing an apron on and being a waitress in one of the eps?”, so I thought, why the hell not? So glad I did though, as I had no idea how big the show would turn out and resonate with so many people – Richard (Gadd) and Jessica (Gunning) really were powerhouses to work alongside.

In both series of Wreck for the BBC, you could be seen as regular character Rosie Preston, how was it telling the story of Wreck and seeing the fan response to the show and your character?

Wreck will always have a special place in my heart, as it was my first ever job that I was cast in straight out of uni. It was one of the most amazing jobs I’ve done, and there was never a moment we were bored on set filming it. I loved how badass Rosie was, and loved the fans’ reactions to her as a final girl.

Was there anything that originally drew you to Wreck and how did you feel watching the completed series for the first time?

Every part of this project drew me to it – the insane writing by Ryan J. Brown and how there was always something happening throughout the season. And not to mention Rosie’s costumes when she’s dressed as Cher! Emma, the costume designer, and her team really pulled it out of the bag. One of the girls also worked on the set of Mamma Mia! 2, and I actually wore a pair of Cher’s heels in the show – this is something I will never shut up about!

What is it like attending events such as the Gaydio Pride Awards, Royal Television Society Awards and Inside Soap Awards?

Don’t get me started on the Gaydios – I say it’s like Christmas for the LGBTQ+ community. The whole place is filled with so much love and joy all evening, and it really is a celebration of amazing people in the community. I always leave feeling so inspired. The other awards are always so nice too, as you see so many familiar faces which you get to catch up with!

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I mean, everyone that knows me all know that I’ve always been a drama queen, so it must come from there. I actually started out in musical theatre as I love singing and dancing too, and then kind of fell into screen acting fresh out of drama school.

We understand you are also a model, can you tell us about this side of your career?

Yes! I’m currently with a Manchester-based agency, who are great, and it’s something I’ve always loved. I’ve never been shy to a camera in my face, but would absolutely love to do more runway with me being 5’10”!

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

I always love seeing my friends do so well, so I’m always watching stuff they’re in! I’ve loved Lost Boys and Fairies, Big Boys, and the Game of Thrones prequel.

How do you like to spend your free time?

One thing about me is I hate being alone, so most of the time I always have an entourage with me! A few of my friends are drag queens too, so you can always find me watching them in some gay bar!

Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you, and what advice would you give someone hoping for a career like yours?

I always, always say to just be yourself! You can never go wrong with that, and to try to not let the judgement and expectation of others hold you back from living authentically and chasing your own dreams.

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