The Bastard Son’s Nadia Parkes on her starring role in the Netflix drama, her rat phobia, plus whether she’d recommend dating a fellow actor

Everyone grows up, so I think everyone can connect with coming-of-age stories. I think we like watching things that connect us to our inner child, and there’s a lot of fun to be had with the storytelling of younger years because it’s awkward and funny and scary. I think we take comfort in people acknowledging all of those things that we ourselves felt.

Was the author Sally Green present on set? How was that?

Yes! She visited the set a couple of times and seemed very excited about the direction in which Joe [Barton, one of the series writers] had taken the show. So it was nice to have the support from the person who originally created this world and these characters for us to play with.

You grew up in Stratford upon Avon, around RSC – do you have aspirations of Shakespearean parts, or do your ambitions lie elsewhere?

Yeah, I would love to “tread the boards” [an industry term which means appearing on stage]. My training at LAMDA was mainly for the stage, and I miss it, but I’m in no rush. I’ll take to the stage at the right time and for a project that feels right.

This is a big time for your career, with two major projects this year. How do you stay grounded?

Authentic relationships with friends and family are incredibly grounding. I think as an actor, it’s easy to fall into the trap of “I will be happy when…” but all great songs and poems aren’t written about the time you booked that job; they’re usually about the people and the world around you.

Over the past year or so, I’ve had such a newfound appreciation of nature. I went on a walk with my friend the other day and hugged many trees. I can highly recommend it if you haven’t tried it; it’s extremely calming.

You had a supporting character role in Starstruck, where you played the girlfriend of the fictional actor Tom Kapoor, and obviously, in real life, you dated actor Tom Holland in the past. Do you think it’s a good idea for actors to date fellow actors?

I think there’s no right or wrong answer for this. For instance, my parents aren’t in the industry at all, they’re both opticians, and they don’t have any issues connecting or relating to me, but I understand some people find a shared world comforting. I think it’s whatever works for the individual.

What’s next for you?

An overdue deep clean of my bedroom, and I fancy learning a new recipe.

The Bastard Son & The Devil Himself is available to watch now on Netflix.