Interview with Ava Hinds-Jones (Billy)
Category: Press Pack ArticleBilly is your first screen role. How did you find playing her?
It's funny because she is my age and the epitome of me. She's strong and fearless, but also a vulnerable 22-year-old trying to figure out her life. I originally auditioned for Kelly, but even when I was reading, I was like, Who is this girl, Billy? I was drawn to her, then when I got recalled for Billy, I saw I could be perfect for this role. It was random but it felt so right.
Were you a fan of Ben Wheatley's work or of the zombie genre?
I am anti-horror and anti-gore. I don't watch any scary films, but my mum and her boyfriend are so into Ben and everything he does, so as soon as I got the job, we sat down and watched High Rise. I got a feel for his vibe and, having worked with him, I see what a genius he is.
How would you describe Billy?
Billy’s fiery, wicked… She's a badass. She left home at a fairly young age because of her domestic circumstances, and she's a lone ranger who has found her new family in the army. She didn't fit in Dambury, so she went off and explored where she might fit in, and she really fits there. She’s personable, a lads’ girl who loves her army fellas and has a fire in her that you can see from the get-go. She is powerful beyond even what she knows, the type of girl who could really change things, so being in the army is a really good start for finding her place in the world,
What is Billy’s family situation?
Her mum (T’Nia Miller) has had several partners in the past. Billy doesn't really agree with her mum's choices and how she's decided to raise her children, so she had to leave home. I always saw it as her getting pushed out of home because of the circumstances that she was in, but she has so much love for her family that taking herself out of the situation was almost the most loving thing to do. Given how emotional she gets about things, she can also destroy things and I think she would have destroyed the good vibes with her little sister Maisy (Ellie-Mae Siame), little brother Charlie (Jay Lycurgo) and their mum. By removing herself from the situation and watching it from a distance, she can monitor what's going on while staying detached.
How does it feel to be attacked by hordes of zombies?
When we were filming, absolutely exhilarating! On my second day of filming, I had to shoot this 85-year-old in the head and was, like: “I'm in a Ben Wheatley drama, for sure!” I've watched some crazy things happen while filming this series. With the SFX and prosthetics, you'd be in the trailer with someone and genuinely get a fright. I felt so lucky to be in something so dynamic in every aspect.
Was a bit of you hoping Billy might get infected so you could channel your inner zombie?
A part of me did think that, but I also like being the straight woman like Billy, even though I sometimes had to find that lightness while we were fighting for our lives. Billy's the most grounded, so I didn't want her to go too crazy. I wanted her to be the one holding the family together, because I hope the audience can relate to that aspect of her – she’ll do anything for her family.
What did you learn from all these icons of television?
John Hollingworth (playing Sgt Parrenster) is my uncle till I die! I loved everyone on set. I have a little family now where I feel like I could go to any of them for advice, industry or otherwise, and get something really real and really human back.
How would you cope in a zombie apocalypse?
I don't like getting scared so I think I’d go: thank you all, good night!