Elaine Symons
Plays
Rose Kelly
DESCRIBE ROSE AND HER ROLE AT WATERLOO ROAD.
Rose is the mother of four of Waterloo Rd's most exciting students. The family take the school by storm. Her role at the school becomes more significant when she starts working there.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST AND LEAST ABOUT ROSE?
I adore Rose, she's funny, strong and loving. To the outsider I can see how she would appear less appealing, a useless alcoholic not fit to be a mother but I think she has done well under difficult circumstances and could probably do with some support and a hug.
DOES ROSE HAVE A LOVE INTEREST?
Rose has a colourful past with plenty of unsuitable lovers to haunt her. Hopefully her charms can lure a more suitable candidate from the hunks of Waterloo Rd.
WHICH CHARACTER AT WATERLOO ROAD DOES ROSE RELATE BEST TO?
Rachel. Rose can relate to Rachel's undesirable past and although she would probably never own up to it she admires what Rachel has made of herself. Rose appreciates Rachel's honesty and insight and when all's said and done they have the same interests at heart, the good of the kids.
WHEN YOU ARRIVED ON THE WATERLOO ROAD SET, WHAT WERE YOUR FIRST IMPRESSIONS?
People often say that their first day in a new job is like first day at school, well this really was. It takes you right back, it even smells like school.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST PROFESSIONAL ACTING ROLE?
It was a kids TV series about fairies visiting different countries on earth called 'Lily from Begonia'. I was twelve.
WHICH ROLE DO YOU THINK YOU’RE BEST KNOWN FOR?
I played Lyra in 'His Dark Materials' at the National Theatre.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE STORYLINE COMING UP AND WHY?
That is really difficult, I was blessed with a string of good ones- drama seems to follow us Kellys wherever we go. I find Rose's relationship with Marley and how it develops the most interesting, but the visit from Reynold was a lot of fun.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS AFTER FINISHING FILMING THE SERIES?
I'm due to have a baby in February so I plan to put my feet up as much as my 15 month old will allow.
HAVE YOU ANY LONG TERM GOALS OR AMBITIONS?
Yes, I definitely want to work at the National again and I would love to do some period drama for TV. Kathy in Wuthering Heights would be really nice.
WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?
Cork, Ireland's second city.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?
Berkshire.
WATERLOO ROAD IS FILMED IN ROCHDALE NEAR MANCHESTER, ARE YOU ENJOYING LIVING AND WORKING AROUND MANCHESTER?
Manchester is a very exciting city- why can't we have a Trafford Centre in the south?
HAVE YOU MANAGED TO SEE MUCH OF THE LOCAL AREA?
I spent a weekend in the lakes with my husband which blew me away. Absolutely stunning. We also enjoyed a few Sunday pub lunches in the surrounding countryside, it's a beautiful area.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY DOING IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
Every spare minute is spent with my daughter and my husband. One of my favourite things in the world is camping, I was lucky enough to sneak away from the shoot for four days in June to go to France.