‘Heartstopper’ Breakout Rhea Norwood Talks Season 3’s ‘More Mature Themes’ and West End Debut as Sally in ‘Cabaret’: ‘I Got Very Nerdy About It’
Rising star Rhea Norwood, known for her role in Netflix’s “Heartstopper,” is captivating audiences at London’s West End as Sally Bowles in the revival of “Cabaret,” a part she describes as her “dream role.”
“Cabaret,” set in 1930s Berlin against the backdrop of the rising Nazi party, follows American cabaret singer Bowles as she performs at the decadent Kit Kat Klub. Norwood’s portrayal of Bowles, a complex character navigating love, ambition and denial in a rapidly changing world, has garnered critical acclaim.
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Norwood’s connection to Bowles began at age 16 when she first watched the film version of “Cabaret.” “I remember seeing Sally as a sort of slightly unhinged woman. I think it was one of the first things where I felt really represented for all the sides of myself in one character,” Norwood told Variety.
To embody Bowles, Norwood undertook a rigorous preparation process. “It was an incredibly technical process,” she said, detailing extensive vocal coaching and physical training to meet the demands of the role. Notably, Norwood took a solo trip to Berlin to immerse herself in the city’s history and atmosphere.
“I went to jazz bars, I sat on my own, and it was an incredible experience,” she said. “I’d never solo traveled before, and I thought that’s something that felt very integral to Sally’s journey.”
The actor’s dedication extended to creating a detailed backstory for Sally, including writing diary entries in character and crafting a scrapbook filled with images that evoked the spirit of the show. “I got very nerdy about it. I got quite excited,” Norwood said.
Norwood sees striking parallels between the themes of “Cabaret” and current global political trends. “It’s unfortunately incredibly timely still. And now more than ever, really,” she observed, referencing the rise of far-right politics in various countries. She believes this contemporary resonance contributes to the powerful audience reactions the show continues to elicit. The actor follows in the footsteps of Jessie Buckley, Amy Lennox and Cara Delevingne, amongst others, who previously took on the role of Sally Bowles in this West End revival.
When asked about how she approached the role in light of previous performances, Norwood said, “It wasn’t like a conscious thing of going, ‘I don’t want to be like previous Sallys.’ It was more that because she was a character that has existed within me for so many years, I wanted to serve the story that my 16-year-old self saw when she watched the film. I never felt any pressure to sort of live up to any other versions, or to be different from any other versions of Sally that had been done. I just wanted to serve the one that felt truthful to me.”
Shifting gears, Norwood reflected on her breakout role in Netflix’s “Heartstopper,” written and created by Alice Oseman, based on her webcomic and graphic novel. The coming-of-age series follows Charlie Spring, a gay schoolboy who falls in love with classmate Nick Nelson. Norwood plays Imogen Heaney, who initially has a crush on Nick before becoming a supportive ally to the main couple.
The actor expressed pride in the show’s impact and its approach to storytelling. “It felt very needed, this sort of wholesome queer story,” she said. “I feel incredibly proud to be involved in something that audiences have responded to so well.”
With “Heartstopper” Season 3 set to premiere in October, Norwood offered a preview of what fans can expect. “All the characters are much older now. They’re exploring A-levels and what it is to maybe go off to university soon,” she revealed. The new season promises to tackle more mature themes while maintaining the show’s signature warmth. “There’s definitely some harder themes that are tackled in Season 3. But it happens through this really wonderful ‘Heartstopper’ lens where you get hugged with it, as well as some of the tricky things that need to be talked about,” Norwood said.
Looking ahead, Norwood expressed a desire to continue working in theater alongside her screen career. “There’s something I find incredibly awakening in my soul by doing theater, where there’s this relationship with an audience that you just don’t get when you do screen work,” Norwood said.
As for future projects, Norwood is taking a measured approach, seeking roles that match the creative fulfilment she’s found in “Cabaret.” “I’m in no rush to play anything that doesn’t almost live up to that level of creative fulfilment for me,” she said.
Norwood plays Bowles in “Cabaret” through Sept. 21.
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