Actor Kim Tserkezie chatted with Enable’s Editor about TV representation, the importance of self-belief, and sharing a lift with a Spice Girl
Kim Tserkezie is best known for her role as Penny Pocket on the beloved CBeebies show Balamory, which has returned to our screens with a new series. But Kim is equally at home behind the camera as a writer and producer – she founded TV production agency Scattered Pictures – and opposite the therapist’s chair as a psychotherapeutic counsellor.
Q: How do you feel about the return of Balamory?
A: Oh, I’m so happy. It’s such a joyous programme and I’m very happy it’s back.
Q: What impact did Balamory have on you?
A: My audition for Penny was one of the first times I got to audition to play a character, rather than to represent a disability issue. So Balamory felt important to me from the outset.
Q: Can you share any memorable moments from being recognised as Penny Pocket?
A: I once ended up in a lift with Spice Girl Geri Halliwell. I was speechless, but she recognised me and was so excited. The most memorable thing though was doing the big arena tours. Meeting disabled children who’d travelled across the country to come and say hello – that really stayed with me.
Q: How do you feel representation has changed in the industry?
A: There has been progress and that should be celebrated, but it frustrates me how slowly the progress is taking place. Until there’s better representation at a senior level, we’re going to struggle for it to trickle down. You can have the most inclusive production team, but if commissioners don’t say yes, nobody gets to see it.
Q: How has your experience as a disabled person influenced your work as a therapist?
A: I know from my own experiences, there can be an assumption that all disabled people have the same needs. It’s about working on an individual basis based on what each person needs to be comfortable in order to participate in therapy.
Q: What’s been the proudest moment in your career so far?
A: Balamory’s definitely been a high for me. When I won my Royal Television Society Award for Drama Performance, that was another big moment [Kim was Executive Producer and played the lead in the short film Obsession]. I’m now able to integrate my therapy role with my work in television and film, so I feel very fulfilled creatively and professionally. Sometimes we set limits on ourselves about what we think we can and can’t do, but I decided to go for it, and it’s working very well.
Q: What are your future aspirations?
A: I’d love to do some more acting work. I’ve missed it. I worked the last few years mainly writing and producing, but I’m really hoping there’s some more exciting acting roles in store. And to finally qualify as a psychotherapist next year, hopefully.
Q: What advice would you give to young disabled people?
A: They are enough just as they are – they don’t have anything to prove to be valued as an important part of society.