Armand Beasley talks to the actress about returning to BBC's Waterloo Road school drama, and her career so far.
There are some people whose presence feels like receiving a great big hug: Angela Griffin is one of those people.
As we sit down in Peru Perdu in Manchester for a long overdue catch-up we try to work out when we first met. Was it through her Corrie co-star Tracy Shaw? Was it doing her makeup for an awards ceremony in the late 90s? We are still none the wiser. But it seems as though we’ve always known each, so it’s an absolute joy to share our lovely chat with you all as we talk about being brown, doing the makeup for her wedding and favourite photoshoot and her lash abuse. I’m still not happy about the last one...
It’s great to see you filming back in Greater Manchester and Cheshire for the new series of Waterloo Road. It’s back on the BBC early next year but when we last saw your character, Kim Campbell, she had moved away with her baby. Tell us about your character's return and what we can expect from the new series.
I can’t say too much at this stage as it’s all top secret. Kim left the series about 10 years ago. But she’s back now as headteacher, which is a very different position from before when she was head of pastoral.
It’s great to be back in her shoes but she’s got a tough job ahead as there are all sorts of factors, such as returning to school post-Covid and how the community has suffered and changed.
The BBC wanted to bring it back as there’s a lot to say about the social aspect of education and communities right now. I’m really excited, we cover all sorts of issues and subjects from Black Lives Matter to the Me Too movement. The cast, crew and team behind it are fantastic.
You’re also reunited with original Waterloo Road cast members Adam Thomas (Donte Charles) and Katie Griffiths as Chlo Charles, what is that like?
It was so lovely to see them again when we had the press shoot. They were kids when I first worked with them and now they have their own kids and mortgages... it’s crazy.
Tell me about your childhood.
I grew up on a council estate in Leeds with my mum Sheila, stepdad Wallace and two older brothers. We were a working-class family, where people didn’t become actors – you worked in a factory or in retail. Or got pregnant.
I was introduced to acting when I was five because mum needed some childcare and so my mum's best mate, who we called Aunty Linda took me to Leeds Children’s Theatre, which was run by the council. It cost me 2p a day as I was under 13 years old, and we put on two full productions a year. We did improvisation, we did script work, everything.
You clearly loved it.
I did. Part of the reason was that the estate where I grew up on was a 'white estate' and the area was predominantly white and I was very conscious of that. At the school I went to, I was the only black person but the theatre school was in the city centre and had kids from everywhere, north Leeds kids, middle-class... but I was never judged; I could be anybody. I can’t remember anybody mentioning my colour when I was there.
When did you first perform professionally?
I was 13 and a TV production company that visited my school needed someone who could play the drums for an episode of a kids' show called Under The Bedclothes. I could play the drums, so I did it. At 14 I auditioned for a Kay Mellor children’s project called Just Us and I got a part in that. Then at 16, I landed Corrie. So I’ve been working in the industry for 33 years. Blimey.
Like me, you’re from mixed heritage. How did that affect you and your siblings growing up?
My eldest brother was very light-skinned so passed for being white. It was when my middle brother started the same school and was noticeably darker that they realised – he got into lots of fights. Because of that, our mum didn’t want me to go to that particular school and so I went to Intake High School instead
Were you conscious of your colour?
Absolutely. I always saw myself as brown, not black. I didn’t fit in with the black or white community. Mixed heritage is a really deep subject to get into. It depends on where you live, your relationship with your parents, your confidence and your state of mind. But I don’t look back on my childhood thinking it was awful; I’ve got some amazing memories. I’ve always been really positive.
Even though you’re a proud Yorkshire girl your connection with Manchester and Cheshire is strong.
I did six years at Corrie, five years at Waterloo Rd, two years with Mount Pleasant, which we filmed in Altrincham. And even when I’m not working up here, we come to Levenshulme to my husband Jason's family.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
There are so many. The Detail was a Canadian cop show – a bit like Scott and Bailey – where I played an American cop. It was my biggest job, and I stayed in my American accent all the time I was there in Canada. My favourite job was Holby City where I met my two best mates, Nic (Nicola Stephenson) and Lisa (Lisa Faulkner) and we just had the best time together. But then there’s also White Lines, a big, sexy Netflix show, which we filmed in places like Majorca and Madrid.
What would you like to do next?
Directing, and I’m so excited that I’m going to be directing two episodes of Waterloo Road. I would also love to be in a fantasy drama such as a Game of Thrones or a Lord Of The Rings-style production.
Your three favourite places in Cheshire?
Tatton Park. Been there loads for leisure and work.
Cheshire Oaks. Love the shopping.
Denise Welch’s house in Wilmslow for a natter and a cuppa.
Do you remember that episode of Cutting It when I played Derek Fanta back in 2003?
Yes. Wow... that’s before I was even pregnant with my elder Tallulah. She’s now 18 and just started at university at St Andrew. Missie is 15.
And then, of course, there was your wedding to Jason (Milligan) at Babington House in Somerset. What are your memories from that beautiful day?
It was one of the hottest days and you were doing my makeup and we were in that lovely room but I was terrified. I had to take loads of Rescue Remedy. I don’t know why I was so nervous getting ready. I think I was the only one in that room that didn’t know that Jason was ill.
He was. But he still managed some breakdancing and a back spin at the wedding reception.
He did. But then he went to bed. In fact, he did a backspin at our friends' home the other weekend.
I’ve been fortunate to do your makeup for a number of years now. What’s been your favourite look?
The shoot where we did loads of different looks in one day. As the day went on the makeup went heavier and sexier and i absolutely loved it, especially the one where my hair is scraped back in a long ponytail and my eyes are smoky. They’re my favourite ever photographs of me. I get them out all the time.
I did your makeup for your fitness video too.
Yes you did, with the lovely trainer Niki Wibrow; so many great times we have shared!
How do you look after yourself now?
I discovered tennis at the end of the first lockdown. Jason and I went down to the tennis club at the end of our road and I’ve been obsessed ever since. Even while up here after filming I will play for a couple of hours, two nights a week. I’m hooked.
What are your favourite beauty products?
Cantu shampoo and conditioner; it’s amazing for my hair, plus I can nip into Boots to buy it.
Tom Ford's Traceless Foundation, which is non-comedogenic (anti-pore-blocking). Because I suffer from acne it’s amazing on my skin.
Hourglass Unlocked Instant Extensions Mascara – I love it because it stays put and as it’s a ‘tubing’ mascara…you’ll hate me for this but I can just pick it off my lashes and it just comes off.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Think higher of yourself. For years I thought I didn’t deserve to be there because of where I was from or because I didn’t go to drama school or RADA. I was just so grateful to be working I’d say yes to everything. Sometimes as an actor, the only power you have is to say no.
