The actor from West Derby spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview about the second season of the hit ITV comedy
Amber Harrison says the success of G’wed is still sinking in. The 19-year-old from West Derby plays Aimee in the hit ITV comedy, which returned with its second season last week.
The latest instalment of the coming of age sitcom continues to follow a group of Year 11 students as they navigate through life in Merseyside. Season one was an incredible success as it broke streaming records on ITVX and was branded a “classic in the making” by Doctor Who showrunner, Russell T Davies.
Amber said she has been taken aback by the response as she told the ECHO: “Oh my god. It was amazing. I actually couldn’t believe how much everyone loved it. I love it obviously, but [it feels different] when someone else does.”
The rising star admitted she is still getting used to the fame that comes with being approached by fans of the show as she joked: “I go to bits, I go bright red, but It’s lovely.”
G’wed has won acclaim as it has given young stars from the region an opportunity to show what they’re capable of. Amber is part of a talented ensemble that also includes Merseyside performers such as Dylan Thomas Smith, Max Ainsworth, Dominic Murphy, Philip S. McGuinness and Gemma Barraclough.
In a post on Instagram after season two’s release, Amber heaped praise about how special it is to work with her co-stars. She said: “I could never put into words how much this show and all the people involved in it mean to me. I feel so lucky whenever I’m around you all and it’s a privilege to work with all of you.”
The West Derby native told the ECHO how she loves also being in the show that paints her region in a positive light, as she said: “I love Liverpool and everyone in it. It’s a lovely place to live and I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”
The actor’s family have enjoyed the success of the show as much as she has as Amber laughed: “My mum has had it on every single day for months and months after it so they’re all made up.”
It’s a deserved reward for Amber’s mum, Lisa, as the actor previously told the ECHO she was inspired to pursue the acting dream after a conversation with her mum. Ahead of the release of season one, she said: “I feel like I’ve always enjoyed acting since I was kid. When I was in sixth form, I didn’t know what to do or what path to go down. I said to my mum, I think I want to be an actor.”
Amber was motivated to follow her goals and soon came across an audition callout for G’wed. She sent off a personality tape which changed the trajectory of her life as she landed the part six weeks later.
The actor is now excited for the next chapter as G’wed has been renewed for a third series, which is filming this summer. The Scouser can’t wait to reunite with her cast on set and said she was overcome with emotion when she heard the news that the show had been extended for a second and third season. She said: “Someone filmed me on Zoom [when I heard the news].