Waterloo Road
Tom Payne plays Brett Aspinall
How would you describe Brett, the newest pupil at Waterloo Road?
"He's confident, troubled and aloof. He's left a public school to do his A-levels at Waterloo Road and he's one of the first students in the sixth form because it's brand-new this year."
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What do you like about Brett?
"I like his independence, his fieriness and youthful arrogance, although he is a bit spoilt. He is yet to discover what is really important in life but he has a strong sense of what he believes to be right and wrong and is not afraid to question things.
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"I also like his car – he's got this great American jeep! I don't drive myself, although I'm thinking about taking my test next year. I am not normally a fan of 4x4s but the one Brett drives is great."
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What do you like least about playing Brett?
"It was strange having to go back to wearing school uniform!"
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Do you share any characteristics with him?
"I definitely had a touch of his blind confidence and changeable emotion at school but never had the same conflicts with my family."
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What goes through your mind when you think of your own school days?
"I miss not having any responsibilities but I don't miss people telling me what to do and expecting me to do it without question.
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"I was a headstrong student. I loved the social life and I loved the inspiring drama teachers, but I hated having to do subjects that I wasn't interested in."
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When did you know you wanted to be an actor?
"I don't think there was a particular defining moment. My first encounter was when I was about seven years old and I was dragged into a classroom to audition for the school play. I ended up playing an elf and I loved it! I think they had recognised I had a loud voice and was quite confident. I carried on acting in all the school productions and then, when I realised I enjoyed acting more than anything else at school, I decided to carry on. I auditioned for drama school and went to the Central School of Speech and Drama."
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Is this your first big TV role?
"It is. After I left drama school, I got a role in Journey's End in the West End for five months, which was an amazing training. I was also in Shrieks Of Laughter at the Soho Theatre with Imogen Stubbs."
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What have you enjoyed most about filming?
"I love filming in Brett's den. He's got this room with all his stuff in it, where he likes to hang out – and it's my favourite place. It's really cosy and he's got great stuff – I love looking at it all. He's got a full bar, stocked with alcohol, and old back issues of Q magazine, so I like reading up on loads of bands. It's a great space and I wish I'd had something like that when I was growing up but, mind you, it would have made me look very spoilt!"
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