Actor stars in Careers Week
Popular actor Charlotte Ritchie played a starring in role at the Academy on the first day of National Careers Week.
Charlotte in popular BBC drama Call the Midwife, where she played Nurse Barbara Gilbert for three years.
Best known for BBC comedy Ghosts, the 34-year-old took time out of her busy schedule to inspire students, including some of the cast from the forthcoming school production of Matilda.
The actor is best known for her starring role in BBC sitcom Ghosts. Here, she’s with the rest of the cast.
Charlotte spoke candidly for an hour about her life and career, including a well received question and answer session.
The actor spoke to the students via video link.
Her passion and enthusiasm came across, but she did not try to gloss over the difficult aspects of her profession.
Charlotte read English and Drama at the University of Bristol rather than taking the traditional drama school route into acting.
Among her credits are Channel Four comedies Fresh Meat and Feel Good, Dr Who and Call the Midwife, where she played Nurse Barbara Gilbert for three years before leaving in 2018.
She played lead role Alison in Ghosts between 2019 and last year, about a young couple who inherit a haunted estate.
"I'm my own worst critic and you do go back and see how things could be changed," she said. "You keep learning all the time."
She briefly appeared in big screen hit Wonka last year, recalling how she was in the same scene as heartthrob Timothée Chalamet, playing the title role, sang one of its key numbers.
"It was an awesome experience and he was lovely," she said.
"I have been really lucky. I've always treated every audition as the job itself and then forgotten it ever happened.
"Sometimes you don't hear anything and the first time you know you didn't get the role is when you see somebody else in it."
Assistant Curriculum Leader (Maths) Mrs Logue had organised Charlotte's guest appearance via video link.
Co-director of Arts Miss Carter said: "She gave a very realistic impression of acting.
"She did not lull the students thinking about it as a career into a false sense of security. That was really good for them.
"It was also interesting how she transitioned into the profession.
"Normally, you hear actors going to drama school and entering from there. But she said it can be expensive and not always effective.
"Students think if they don't go to drama school they won't make it but Charlotte's an example of going down another route, which was also great to hear."
The students loved the session.
Alica (13), who will play a mum and a big kid in the school's summer Matilda production, said: "She was really good.
"I really want to be an actor and she gave some good tips, including having a good agent. She encouraged us to try our best and go for it."
Musical theatre fan Lauren (15), also starring in Matilda, was looking forward to the rest of National Careers Week, with the academy putting on a host of varied events.
"I'm looking to get into a theatre career or would love one in musicals," she said. "I thought Charlotte was really good.
"I love the mix of stuff that's coming up during the week."
Television Actor Charlotte Ritchie on the big screen at Waltham Toll Bar Academy as part of National Careers Week. Front centre, Year 7’s Sophie, who plays the title role, and cast members adopt their Matilda poses.
