Nightsleeper: Alexandra Roach says imposter syndrome helped character
Welsh actress Alexandra Roach mentioned that she drew from her personal experience with imposter syndrome while performing in a new BBC thriller.
Roach, hailing from Ammanford in Carmarthenshire, plays a key role in Nightsleeper, where a group of hackers takes control of a sleeper train journeying from Glasgow to London.
In an interview with Lucy Owen on Radio Wales, Roach mentioned that she aimed to draw on her own experiences with imposter syndrome to create a character that feels more relatable.
"I’ve experienced that before, and I thought it was important to share it with Abby to highlight how genuine and relatable it is," Roach explained.
In the series, Roach portrays Abby Aysgarth, who serves as the acting technical director for the National Cyber Security Centre.
She, together with an off-duty police officer named Joe Roag, portrayed by Joe Cole, has to find a way to halt the speeding train and figure out who is responsible for the hacking.
Roach expressed her pleasure in bringing the character to life.
"She excels in her field and creates stunning, remarkable work using technology."
"Everything about this crisis is her responsibility, and she truly relishes the excitement of attempting to regain control of the situation. She’s exceptionally skilled at her job," she commented.
While preparing for her role, Roach mentioned that she discovered some insights regarding the dangers associated with cyber attacks.
"Prior to this experience, I was completely unaware of this realm. Now, after playing Abby, I've gained some insight into what might unfold."
The author, Nick Leather, was curious about the feasibility of the idea. To explore this, he consulted three specialists and inquired, "Can someone hack into a train and operate it from afar?"
He let them talk for an hour, and by the end, they agreed that not only could someone hack into a train and control it from a distance, but that all three of them [the experts] could manage it.
"It can be a bit unsettling, but that's what adds to its thrill and makes it such an engaging experience," she noted.
In her research, Roach mentioned that understanding new terms related to cyber security felt like trying to grasp an entirely different language.
"I didn't fully understand what those words meant coming from Alex, but I felt it was important to take them seriously. I genuinely believe that Abby is passionate about her work and knows exactly what she's doing," she explained.
Roach has recently received a nomination for best actress at the Bafta Cymru awards for her performance in the BBC drama Men Up.
I feel incredibly proud of the show "Men Up" and everything we accomplished together. It was a true delight to be a part of it and to portray that character.
"It was my first experience at a read-through, and I thought to myself, 'Wow, this is really something special,'" she shared.
You can catch all six episodes of Nightsleeper on BBC iPlayer. The premiere episode will be broadcast on BBC One this Sunday evening.
