Interview with Kimberly Wyatt
Dancer, former Pussycat Doll and Taking The Next Step judge Kimberly Wyatt plays powerful and ruthless manager Sasha Small in her first key role as an actor.
Published: 17 December 2018
There were so many times when I felt like I was almost recreating moments from my life in the music industry. Which is probably something every actress hopes for, it’s very much method acting!
Tell us about Almost Never.
Almost Never is about a group of young hopefuls fresh off a talent show and their experience trying to make it in the music business which has its many ups and its many downs. I play Sasha Small, a cold-hearted manager, who really puts the kids through their paces.
What’s the best thing about Almost Never?
I think it’s pulling the comedy from such dramatic situations, I think that’s my favourite part of it. As well as just really seeing the struggle of what it takes to make it. You see all these shows like X Factor and you see these people win, but you never really get an insight into what it might be like for them afterwards. I think being able to go along that journey with the kids and the experiences that they have afterwards is pretty amazing.
Were you able to draw on your own personal experience of working in the music industry?
So much so, yes! There were so many times when I felt like I was almost recreating moments and experiences from my life in the music industry. Which is great, it’s probably something every actress hopes for, it’s very much method acting! It was incredible.
Did it bring back specific memories?
It did bring back memories, it was almost therapeutic because it was probably some of the roughest of times which I found coming up within Almost Never. It was nice to shine a light on that by playing a role which is much more fierce and sassy than I am as a person. To be able to pull on those experiences and put them into such a character and almost, at the back of my mind make fun of those situations, it was quite therapeutic to let it go.
Is it harder for young bands nowadays to ‘make it’ in the music industry?
Yes and no. I think as far as record labels are concerned, it’s extremely hard. You’ve got to do at least three fourths of it on your own by gaining the exposure, gaining a platform, gaining an audience before many labels will take you seriously. Whereas back in the day it was about finding the ones that hadn’t been discovered yet and building them as brands. On the flip side of that, there are so many ways to get yourself out there, that you can do it on your own and so many bands are doing it on their own anyway. It’s pretty tough.
How did you find working with the young actors in Almost Never?
They’re such talented kids and to see them show their talents, deliver lines and live as their characters was just fantastic. I feel so grateful to have been surrounded by such an amazing cast.
Nathaniel (Nathaniel Dass)
Nate is The Wonderland’s frontman and a natural leader. He has a way of bringing out the best in those around him. His enthusiasm is infectious, especially when talking about music.
Although he seems so confident, Nate’s blue skies persona masks the usual teenage insecurities. He feels the weight of responsibility for the band succeeding and worries about his own ability, his performance and his lyrics.
Nate is passionate about music and there’s nothing more important to him than The Wonderland making it big.
Oakley (Oakley Orchard)
Episode two - The Concert
Chloe decides the boys need to record a music video, but unfortunately Nate finds himself roped into taking his sister Molly to a Girls Here First concert, the one place he should never be seen!
When Nate is caught on camera at the gig, it proves to be the most embarrassing night of his life. Meanwhile, Oakley has secretly been texting Mya from Girls Here First, and seeks advice from his brother Harry on asking her out.
Oakley is the band’s joker. His observations are not always what you’d expect, making the others wonder if he’s joking or really is as stupid as he sometimes appears. Innocent and naïve, nobody ever takes Oakley seriously, not even himself.
Oakley loves being in the spotlight. He’s the member of The Wonderland who can always be relied on to get the party started and show off, even when it isn’t appropriate.
Harry (Harry Still)
Episode four - The Photo
The Wonderland try to solve their 'Spotlight Losers' image problem with a buzzworthy new band photo. Chloe persuades a famous celebrity snapper to shoot the boys but getting the band together proves harder than expected. Oakley and Harry have other secret commitments.
Oakley is leading a double life as he embarks on a secret dating mission with Mya from Girls Here First. Harry finds himself joining a Mariachi band after accidentally dropping an amp on one of the band. The photographer arrives just as the band are tangled up in a messy Mariachi brawl.
Click! The bad photo goes viral - will fans on social media appreciate their refreshingly honest portrayal?
Harry is Oakley’s older brother and styles himself as the most sensible, rational and mature member of the band. He’s quick to despair at others (often his brother!)
Harry tends to be the voice of caution. Where Oakley will rush in without thinking, Nathaniel is torn between what he wants and what he fears, it’s Harry who tends to sense impending doom.
Harry has a firm sense of identity and rarely feels the need to prove himself to anybody. Although he’s not without his insecurities, particularly around girls.
Chloe (Tillie Amartey)
Chloe is a classmate of Nathaniel’s. She becomes vital to the band when she puts her vlogging skills to use and becomes The Wonderland’s social media manager.
Chloe is opinionated and fiery. She doesn’t hold back from voicing her opinion and doesn’t dress up criticism. At the same time, Chloe is a really solid person, who looks out for her friends. She’s driven, determined and really believes in the band - and especially Nathaniel.
While Chloe is good at advising others, she’s not so great when it comes to herself. Her blossoming feelings for Nathaniel are completely new to her… and completely terrifying.
Sasha (Kimberly Wyatt)
Sasha is ambitious, driven, ruthless and untrustworthy. She’s fire one moment and ice the next, depending on who she’s talking to and what she wants out of them. She wears many different masks, but it’s the same cold heart underneath them all.
Sasha had backed The Wonderland in the TV talent show The Spotlight, and felt humiliated when they didn’t win. Her revenge was to sign the winners, Girls Here First, and make a success of them regardless of what she has to put the girls through.
She fears that if The Wonderland make it, it will reflect badly on her.
