Jo Joyner spills all on new Ackley Bridge role

Ackley Bridge is a new 6 part drama set in a school in Yorkshire that has been set up to integrate the community by being part Asian and part white. It’s got some great young actors leading the cast!

Jo Joyner talks about the role in candid interview.

What drew you to the series?

The integration theme, joining the community together and the opportunity to have such a diverse cast was definitely a pull to the show. For me in particular I liked the idea of a show that was set in a school where we follow not just the kids but the teachers just as much and show them as real, fallible people.

You play Mandy Carter, the Head Teacher at Ackley Bridge College, can you tell us a bit about her?

Mandy is hard working and has dedicated the last few years to getting this school off the ground, working closely with the schools sponsor Sadiq. She’s possibly neglected other areas of her life, like having fun and her husband, in favour of her career. She’s a perfectionist and relishes the chance to do something great for the community and truly believes in the opportunities that good education can bring. She’s strong and capable when it comes to leadership and work but can often be the complete opposite when it comes to her own personal life. I love that contradiction; it’s what makes her fully rounded.

What’s her relationship with her husband Steve like?

When we first meet them they’re getting on well but it’s clear that they have had some issues that they’ve been dealing with from the past. There is clearly history there and although Steve is Mandy’s rock, there is resentment from the past on her part and he’s feeling quite insecure about all the time that Mandy’s been spending with Sadiq in order to get the school up and running. They’re a bit of a roller coaster really. Steve’s no push over and time will tell if their relationship can withstand the dynamics of Mandy being his boss, Steve’s past misdemeanours and Mandy’s friendship with a Sadiq….

You’ve worked with Paul Nicholls before on Candy Cabs, was it nice to be reunited?

It was really great, you never think you’ll get paired together again with someone after you’ve worked with them before. I count myself lucky to have worked with some really great leading men so far and Paul is no exception. We work really well together, he makes the job easy for me by bringing something different to the table on every take. My twins were 5 months old when I last worked with Paul, so through the fog of no sleep and weaning I don’t remember much of the job!