When Sheridan Eketone walked on to the Shortland Street set with her 16-month-old daughter Leila, a casting director remarked, “You never know, you might watch your baby grow up on TV,” but Sheridan shrugged it off. “No way,” she thought. Leila’s role as Tillie Potts would be a bit of fun for six months.
Now four years on, Sheridan remembers that comment with a smile. She has watched her youngest child pass her milestones in real life and on screen – and now the family is balancing school life with Leila’s acting career.
“She’s coping really well,“ Sheridan says proudly as she watches her five-year-old drawing pictures. “She’s started to learn lines and she blows us away. My husband will read with her and by the second time around, she’s got it.“
Sheridan wasn’t sure how Leila’s part on New Zealand’s most popular drama would affect school life. The principal has admitted to being a fan and there are a few older students who tune in every weeknight too. While Leila’s bubbly and cheeky, she also has a sensitive side, particularly when it comes to being recognised.
“Leila loves being on the show, but doesn’t understand why a stranger wants to take photos of her or call her Tillie – she struggles with that,“ Sheridan explains. “We asked the school if they could let people know in advance that her name is Leila and please don’t call her Tillie, and that seemed to work.“
After a few first-day tears, Leila soon adapted to her new school. The kids flocked to her, but in a good way that wasn’t too overwhelming. “The kids are all used to Leila now. But I think being part of the show has made her really used to adults. I have to remind her not to be overfamiliar with the teachers,“ Sheridan laughs.
Growing up on set, Leila was often called a “dream baby actor“ because she’d rarely cry and would go to almost anyone. By the time she was three years old, she had learned direction – when the actors would have to go back to the top of a scene, they’d call “number one“ and the little girl would be the first one back in her spot.
“The fact that she walked really late made her perfect for the show too, because if you plopped her somewhere, she’d just sit there,“ Sheridan says.
It’s a different story now – Leila loves to chase Michael Galvin (who plays Dr Chris Warner) around and she adores Jayden Daniels (who plays Curtis Hannah). And one of her best friends is the tea lady, who loves her too. But after four years on a soap opera, the young actor has also had to watch the people she loves leave. Hardest of all was saying goodbye to Amanda Billing, who played her on-screen mum Sarah Potts.
“Amanda loved her like she was her own kid, which made it easy for me,“ Sheridan tells. “They had a really strong bond so it was hard when Amanda left, but then Ben Mitchell (who plays Tillie’s dad TK) really stepped up.“
Playing Tillie means the family has to be flexible. The number of trips to the studio each week depends on how crucial her character is to the storyline. It averages out to around once a week, with scenes usually taking 45 minutes – and Leila’s teacher is confident it’s never enough time to be detrimental to her schoolwork.
For her three siblings, Myah (12), Jaden (10) and Ella (7), there can be a bit of jealousy, particularly over the time Leila gets off school, but they’re all proud of her.
For now, Leila’s happy to have her two families – one on set and one in real life. “She’s adored there,” says Sheridan.
When asked what her aspirations are for the future, the talented five-year-old reveals she has only one –“I want to be a mum,” Leila smiles.
Words: Anastasia Hedge
