Career inspiration: Sonya Nisa
Actor and Become Celebrity Ambassador Sonya Nisa stars as student Aleena Qureshi in BBC drama Waterloo Road. As the series returns, with challenging storylines for Aleena, Sonya shares how she got into acting, the hurdles she faced and tips on how you can do it too.
When did you know you wanted to be actor?
It was when I was in college studying musical theatre. I wasn’t academic, so when it came to what to do after my GCSEs I chose musical theatre at college. I’d always enjoyed dance at school so this seemed the right step.
It was the best thing I ever did, but also intimidating. Many of the other students came from musical families and knew the words to famous songs, whereas I’d never been to a musical in my life. I had a lot going on – I left care at 17 and was living in a property in Oldham in a bad state of repair. I was doing decorating and cleaning jobs to make ends meet. Trying to deal with everything that had happened while I was in care, and then having to live independently and support myself at such a young age. I felt very alone.
What made you carry on with college, when you had so much to deal with?
I thought I’ve got to get on with it. I’m as good as anyone else, I can do this. I have a drive that many people have from being in care – that need to achieve and to feel valuable. My tutors, Miranda and Jayne, knew I was care-experienced but I didn’t talk to them, until one day I broke down and told them everything I was dealing with. It was really scary, to make myself vulnerable, so I’d back off, but they learned to understand me. I’m still good friends with them and wouldn’t be where I am without the support of teachers, tutors and friends who filled the familial gap.
When was your first big acting role?
It was an advert for BBC iPlayer when I was at college. I had to ask social services to buy me the £8 coach fare to London for the audition. I’d never been to London and had no idea where anything was, or any money. The casting director wanted to help me when he heard I was getting the 7hr coach back again after the audition, so he got his secretary to put me up in a hotel! Getting that job gave me such confidence. It was the first time I truly felt like I fitted in.
What happened when you left college?
I didn’t know whether to go to uni or not. Again it was that self-doubt – people like me don’t go to uni. I got a job in a cake factory and Miranda and Jayne kept in touch, gently encouraging me to apply. Then I thought Why not me? Also, I love to learn. Education for me is the key to everything.
Being care-experienced means I’m used to uncertainty and instability. We couldn’t be better equipped. I can drop everything and go to a new job wherever, because that’s like being in care.
⎯⎯ Sonya Nisa
Which uni did you go to?
Oldham – I had no choice because social services told me if I went down south I would lose my house and I wouldn’t get another one. But it was the right decision because the intake was small so the tutors had a lot of time for us, and for me personally. The tutor, Laura, knew Miranda and Jayne very well and shared with her when I needed support so I wouldn’t get upset or shut down again.
What happened when you graduated?
I had another moment of self-doubt. I didn’t go to my graduation, because I couldn’t afford to hire the gown. I thought, If I can’t even go to my graduation how can I be an actor? I had just lost my biological grandma, who I’d recently got to know and love, and in the same week got my care files from social services. For a year I worked as a housekeeper at a Travelodge – I just needed to recuperate and take time out.
The turning point came when Miranda got in touch about a community theatre project and we ended up writing a play loosely based on my life. I put everything into it and Miranda invited agents to watch me perform. That’s how I got my wonderful agent, Janet Hampson.
For every person who’s let you down there will be 10 who’ll want to lift you up. And you are deserving of that. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you deserve love and support.
⎯⎯ Sonya Nisa
It’s hard to succeed as an actor without an agent, is that right?
Exactly right, and one of the first jobs I got was on BBC1’s Casualty, as an injured climate change protestor. It gave me such a confidence boost and nice to earn decent money and be stable! Things snowballed and after that came two Netflix productions, Red Rose and Damsel, lots of theatre including writing and directing my own play, and now Waterloo Road. It’s been wild.
Acting is a career where work isn’t guaranteed. Does that worry you?
Being care-experienced means I’m used to uncertainty and instability. We couldn’t be better equipped. I can drop everything and go to a new job wherever, because that’s like being in care. People say acting is so competitive, and it can be, but we’re all unique and what you have is as important and valuable as anyone else. Believe and achieve and you’ll succeed.
What advice would you give to young people wanting to act?
Train and learn your craft, at an amateur group or college. You may not see results straight away, but keep at it. You’ve learned to act already – we’ve been watched throughout our time in care and had to be watchful and adapt each time we’ve been put into new situations. Utilise the skills you already have. Versatility, courage and determination.
Also, if people want to help you, let them. For every person who’s let you down there will be 10 who’ll want to lift you up. And you are deserving of that. Whoever you are, whatever you do, you deserve love and support.
