A new series of Waterloo Road kicks off with Robson Green joining the cast of BBC1’s hit school drama. The former Soldier Soldier actor is playing Waterloo Road’s new caretaker Rob Scotcher, who soon gets very flirty with head teacher Karen... There’s going to be a fling between your character, the new caretaker Rob Scotcher, and the head teacher Karen, played by Amanda Burton. Is that right? “Yes, there’s a frisson that gets us together and he does ask her out to dinner. And yes, there are kissing scenes! But we kind of didn’t go for the obvious, we went for the awkward. There’s something about getting to that stage of your life and the sexual pursuit becomes awkward, or stressful. It’s not easy, especially when you’ve got the responsibility of a child. And, of course she’s a headmistress, I’m a caretaker – or a site manager!” Have you worked with Amanda Burton before? “Yeah, well I’ve met her socially many, many times. I’ve been asked to do Waterloo Road a few times, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen. Amanda’ s very charismatic and incredibly talented. We worked out a way of doing it that was very relaxed and hopefully, quite endearing.” What’s it like working with Mark Benton again, as he plays new maths teacher Mr Chalk? You were such a good double act in Northern Lights... “It’s great. Amanda is absolutely brilliant at learning dialogue in a short space of time, whereas Mark is always trying to keep it fresh. I’m a stickler for running through dialogue with another actor. But with Mark the script goes out the window – but in a good way! It’s just a joy, so funny. He has a great entrance. Mark’s character arrives on a bicycle. Say no more! It’s hilarious! Mark Benton on a bicycle! I love him. As the series progresses, there’s some lovely stuff between us. You just know when it’s funny.” Do you watch the show? “It’s a good series, I remember watching the first series as I had a few mates on it. It’s good. The young people on the show – they’re not really kids – are phenomenal, so professional. I had this image of it being like Fame or Glee in Rochdale – which would be my idea of Hell! But it’s wonderful, a great script. There’s a very quick turnover. I don’t know if I have the energy to sustain 20 episodes, it’s back-breaking. How Amanda copes with it, I don’t know.” How did you find the filming schedule? “I was there for 10 weeks but I was also doing Being Human at the same time. I was staying in north Manchester. The family came up to see me. The set is an old school so it really feels like you’re at school, and it smells like a school. When you’re talking to the director you’ve kind of got your hands behind your back because you think you’re talking to the headmaster. My son Taylor came along to the set, he went into make up and stuff. But he really enjoyed the stuff I did on Being Human because he’s really into that.” Does Taylor want to be an actor, too? “He could be, he has all the ingredients. He’s so confident, and he adores reading. He’s a brilliant saxophonist. He’s supremely confident at walking into a room. He comes to LA, the BBC, sees big execs and he has no fear. I don’t know if it’s down to upbringing or because of me. But one of the things you need as an actor is that confidence, that ability to stand up and do this. It’s quite terrifying at times. He’ll want to go up and talk to big Hollywood stars like Laurence Fishburn, I’m like, no leave him alone.” What were you like at school? “I went to Seaton Burn School. I was never bullied cos I was a good runner! And a good hider! I’ve not been back there, as there’d be something weird about that...” Were you a good pupil? “I liked school, sometimes. Yeah I was OK. I got O levels and A levels, but I didn’t have many girlfriends there for some reason! I enjoyed some teachers. When you reflect on your school days you realise how difficult it was for teachers -I was in a class of 45 kids! That’s impossible. There were teachers there who disciplined by fear and you’re kind of scarred by that, the hitting. But there were some wonderful teachers there, too.” Were you a troublemaker at school? “I wasn’t in trouble for fighting or anything, just talking and expressing myself in a way that was inappropriate. I just wanted to be the centre of attention - it’s what an actor wants! If there’s a lull in the room you try and make it better. Last time I told a reporter about my headmaster he went round his house and said 'You brutalised Robson!'" *Waterloo Road begins on BBC1, Wednesday 28 April, at 7.30pm
