Waterloo Road
Angela Griffin plays Kim Campbell
What happened to Kim at the end of last series?
"Kim was deeply traumatised at the end of the last series as she had been attacked by one of the pupils, Lewis Seddon. It shook her up really badly and she nearly gave up teaching, but I'm glad she didn't."
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Do you think Kim has changed at all?
"Definitely. I think she is stronger now. Kim was always a strong character but, when Lewis attacked her, it made her lose her confidence. She could have easily allowed the anxiety get to her and been too afraid to go back into teaching but she has tackled her fears head-on over the summer holidays by taking self-defence classes. She's back stronger than ever and determined to help at the school. She really cares about the kids and the school."
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Waterloo Road has a new investor. How does Kim get along with him?
"Kim is not impressed at all with Roger and the way he can come in and just buy a school. She can't believe Andrew and Jack are actually in favour of the idea, as she knows it is just wrong for Waterloo Road."
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Andrew and Kim had a lot of chemistry but a lot of conflicting views last series. What is their relationship like this time around?
"The Andrew and Kim story is, as usual, full of ups and downs. They fancy each other but just don't ever seem to get things right. They're always having stand-up rows – and I love the rows! One of them always seems to say the wrong thing."
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Do you think they will be able to work through their differences?
"I hope so, as I would love it if Kim and Andrew got together... I'm still waiting! Kim fancies Andrew like mad but she also finds him really frustrating. Kim knows he isn't very good at communicating – as he seems to bumble in every situation. So she tries to be patient."
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Bullying is an issue in this series. Does Kim become involved?
"Kim is Head of Pastoral Care so deals with bullying on a daily basis. She is also aware of what it feels like to be a victim after the Lewis Seddon incident. Kim isn't directly involved with Izzie's daughter, Mika, getting bullied, but she's always trying to help kids deal with it."
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What goes through your mind when you think back to your own school days?
"I was at Intake High in Leeds and I wish I was back! I absolutely loved it – I loved having all my mates there. I had about five best friends when I was at school and we used to sing with each other. We sang our way through school. I also loved learning. I actually liked the rules and regulations and it just really suited me."
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Did you have an inspiring teacher at school?
"My form teacher, Mr Elsdon, was one of the strictest teachers but he believed in me and had faith in me. I really respected him."
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Do you think you have picked up a better understanding of either education or teaching since playing Kim?
"I definitely have much more of an understanding and respect for teachers after filming Waterloo Road. They really do work really hard and have so many pressures and politics to deal with. I think some people just assume they have short hours and long holidays but it really isn't an easy job. I actually considered being a teacher when I was younger but I love acting too much now."
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You were recently married. How is married life?
"Married life is fab but the wedding almost didn't happen. My husband, Jason, was really ill with a virus on the big day – he was up all night. Thank goodness I didn't know until later but he afterwards admitted that, if it hadn't been our wedding and had been anything else, he would have cancelled! The poor thing went off to bed at 10 o'clock and I ended up dancing until the small hours..."
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Waterloo Road is filmed in Manchester – do you enjoy living and working around there?
"I've been up here for a long time, probably about six years, so Manchester is a home from home for me."
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What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
"At the moment I've been moving house, home-making and looking after my daughter, Tallulah. I think I have a good work/life balance at the moment, so I would like to keep things like that."
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