How York actor went from studying theoretical physics to starring alongside Winnie-The-Pooh and Piglet in a horror film

Self-described ‘science nerd’ Amber can be seen in Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey, a British independent slasher film based on characters that for many were beloved childhood icons.

“The reactions have been really interesting,” says Amber, who’s now based in London. “There’s people like me who have grown up loving Winnie-The-Pooh and love horror films and they’re excited to re-appreciate these characters as an adult. Winnie-The-Pooh is aimed towards children and it’s really clever what they’ve done with this film, redefining Winnie-The-Pooh and his friends for an adult audience.

“There is another group of people who grew up with Winnie-The-Pooh - and the characters are very precious to them and they don’t like horror films. So they’re not too keen that Winnie-The-Pooh has been turned into a murderous killer.

“But at the end of the day, if anyone says that to me, I say that’s totally fine. Film is totally subjective - if you don’t like horror films, don’t give it a watch, stick with the Pooh you know and love.”

The film was able to be made after the 95-year copyright on A.A Milne’s first Winnie-The-Pooh story elapsed in the US in January last year. It was released in cinemas last month and follows Pooh and Piglet as they become feral and bloodthirsty murderers and terrorise a group of young university women, including Amber’s character Alice, in the Hundred Acre Wood.

“I read the casting call and my first thought was ooh, this is a bit strange,” Amber admits. “I had to read it twice because it’s such a unique concept. After I read it the second time, I thought I really like this idea…I was a huge fan of Winnie-The-Pooh growing up and I love horror films so I thought this is a unique opportunity to merge those two things I love together...

“[Alice] is in an LGBT relationship and what I liked when I read the script is that it’s an actual authentic representation of a queer relationship. I feel like there are so many films, especially low budget ones, where if a character is LGBTQ+ it has to be their defining feature…In this film, that’s not the case, her queerness is just a part of who she is. Representation is really important on screen so that was a big tick for me.”

Amber had her sights set on acting throughout her childhood in York, putting on talent shows for her parents and getting involved in school productions.

Studying theoretical physics at university was “a bit of a curveball”, she laughs - and she’s been told so time and again. But with a wise head on her shoulders and well-aware of how difficult and unstable an acting career can be, she headed to University College London to arm herself with a ‘plan b’. Physics seemed the obvious choice.

“I am the biggest nerd. I’m such a geek,” she says. “Ever since I was a child I’ve always bought science magazines and been fascinated by space - I’m absolutely obsessed with climate change and nuclear fusion, general relativity…Maths is like my love language and I’ve just always been fascinated by science.

“It was the subject I was best at in school and I thought there’s a lot of good careers in science and there’s not enough women in science, technology, engineering and maths. When I was about 16, I noticed there were more and more job postings for women in physics roles and I thought, okay, why don’t I be a part of this change? I’ll get this degree and maybe I could be one of these women in such a male-dominated industry.”

As it turned out, the acting path afforded Amber many-an-opportunity. After various drama short courses, including three months at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and a further month at Beverly Hills Playhouse Acting School in LA, she built up her portfolio of work, taking on roles in several short films whilst also writing and producing her own “relatable and shareable” comedy sketches and posting them online.

“That was nice because I got experience behind the camera as well,” she says, “writing, producing, editing, doing lighting, sound, camera work. I think that has made me a better actor, having a better understanding of all the crew and behind the camera roles as well.”

That content creation also enabled Amber to build up an online following of tens of thousands of people, which in turn has led to her working with more than 200 brands, as well as landing presenting and hosting roles and venturing into the world of celebrity interviews.

“I love doing them. You get the chance to interview your heroes,” she reflects. “As an actor, being able to speak to some of the directors and actors I’ve followed since being a child, and being able to talk to them about their craft, is overwhelming in the best possible way.”

Amber talks particularly fondly about Emily Blunt, Keanu Reeves and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“I’ve done so many [interviews] now that I don’t get that starstruck but with [Arnold Schwarzenegger], I definitely was. That was a pinch me moment. I grew up watching the Terminator films and I remember sitting there and staring at him thinking this is Arnold Schwarzenegger, this is mental. To this day, it’s my all time favourite interview. It’s just a dream come true. Every time I do these interviews I have to pinch myself. It’s a huge honour and so much fun.”

As for the acting, Amber has now been involved in more than 100 film productions, including 25 British feature films. Many of her parts have been in the horror genre and she’s in the pre-production phases for six more independent feature films shooting over the next year.

“I’ve always had a love of horror films and an intrigue to be in one and after doing my first, I thought this really is for me,” she says. “It’s so intense, your adrenaline is running all the time.”

Attending the BAFTA Film Awards as a guest this year was a personal highlight that she’ll never forget. “It was one of the best days of my life, it really was amazing,” she says.

And as for Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey? “The fact that this film is in cinemas worldwide was not expected at all…We made it for 20 thousand pounds. I don’t think anyone anticipated it would have a worldwide cinematic release. It’s so overwhelming. The thought that my face is on cinema screens around the world is insane.”