Interview with Bella Ramsey
Interview with Bella Ramsey who plays Mildred Hubble
Published: 11 December 2016
Can you tell us about Mildred and what she is like as a character?
Mildred is clumsy and haphazard, she doesn't mean to cause trouble, she is just not very good at being a witch. She is a loyal friend to Maud and Enid.
Why does Mildred want to go to a school for witches when she has never had magic in her family?
When she looks out of the window she always sees a castle in the distance but her mum only sees flats and she has always been intrigued by this castle. It isn't until she meets Maud, when she crashes onto her balcony, that she discovers the castle is a school for witches which sparks her curiosity even more and makes her want to go there.
Why does Mildred annoy her arch enemy Ethel so much?
Because she is so clueless about the art of witching and Ethel is annoyed that she is allowed into the school.
Favourite moment on set?
All the scenes with Jenny (Ethel) and also filming with the squirrel monkey (episode three in which Enid’s pet monkey Muddles escapes) and crashing into the pond (episode one).
Funniest moment on set?
When I had to pull Wendy Craig's (Miss Bat's) sock off and gag because of the smell! Really her feet smelt fine, I just had to imagine the sweatiest, stinkiest cheese. Ewwww.
Most surprising moment on set?
When the cats actually did what they were supposed to do!
What acting experience have you had?
I first started stage acting at the age of four when I joined a local Stagecoach group. I have also performed in a couple of local amateur shows; Amaryllis in The Music Man and Molly in Annie, and also various parts including a monkey, and an American brat (ha ha) with a Comedy theatre group which I attended with my older sister from when I was eight until last year.
I only thought of acting as a hobby until three years ago when I got into Television Workshop, which is an amazing place. Through Workshop I started to audition for professional TV/film roles and had several auditions and rejections for various parts before landing my first professional role in Game of Thrones season six and then Mildred Hubble in The Worst Witch.
How did you win the role?
Last November I did a self-tape at TV Workshop with lots of other workshoppers then a trip to London in January for a second audition where I met Lucy (producer) and Sue (casting director) who were both lovely. I then had a third audition in Manchester in February where there were several girls for each of the four main parts (Mildred, Ethel, Enid and Maud) and we met Jill Murphy which was awesome and also Brian Grant (director). After this I was down to the last two for Mildred and had a final audition in March before landing the role.
How have your friends and family reacted to this?
They are all very proud and supportive. When we got the phone call I was with my mum, sister, cousin and auntie, there was a lot of screaming and excited jumping, you could have filled a bathtub with the proud teardrops!
What were the other actors like to work with?
They were amazing; I especially liked working with the adult cast and also with Jenny (Ethel) as we are such good friends in real life so it was hilarious pretending to hate her!
Are you a fan of The Worst Witch books?
I wasn’t aware of the books before the audition but when I read the first one I loved it and I loved Mildred, I am so similar to her!
How did you feel on your first day, did you feel nervous?
Not really, I find being on stage much more nerve wracking. The first scene we filmed was me and Tamara (Enid) with a cauldron at night and obviously you are always going to have that pressure of being the first ones to film a scene, but it wasn't that bad.
What will it be like when you, and your family, sit down together to watch the show go out?
It will be difficult to actually hear the TV because of the excited noises that are guaranteed to come out of our rabble! No, seriously it will be so cool but I'll be cringing because I don't like watching myself!
What does the future hold for Bella Ramsey?
Well there is a lot coming up. I am in the process of doing a voiceover part for a new animated series, two films coming up and early next year I am back on the stage in an amateur Youth Theatre production. I think it's important go back to my roots sometimes and I am really looking forward to it but it will be strange to be back on a stage! I definitely want to have a career in the TV/film industry as I love acting but if it all goes to pot I want to set up a performing arts school for children with special needs.
There are some who might say The Worst Witch is Harry Potter for girls, what do you say?
I think some people may try to compare it to Harry Potter and it shows how popular stories about magic and wizards and witches are, Jill Murphy wrote the books when she was at school and they are still popular. But I wouldn’t say that - it’s not Harry Potter for girls. Just because there are more girls in it doesn't mean boys can't like it as well. In fact I know more girls than boys who are Harry Potter fans so there is no reason why there shouldn't be more boys than girls who love The Worst Witch! You never know…
How does being in a show for kids differ to your your role in Game of Thrones?
There was obviously a lot more children in The Worst Witch compared to my role in GoT. And of course I will be allowed to watch The Worst Witch!
