Ellie-Mae Siame, 14, Voices Nia in Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories

Ellie-Mae Siame, a 14-year-old actress from Stafford, lends her voice to Nia, the orange and black engine number 18, in Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories. After her agent reached out, she auditioned on film in January and was cast as Nia without needing a callback. A special episode debuted on YouTube on Thursday, amassing over two million views, and it will be available on Netflix starting 30 September, with a full series planned for 2027. Siame expressed her astonishment at the franchise's vastness during an interview with BBC Radio Stoke, noting that she was unaware of its immense popularity. Having acted since age five, she has appeared in various productions, including Four Kids and It, where she starred alongside singer Cheryl and Dame Joanna Lumley. Siame enjoys voice acting for its lack of script memorization and the ability to modify her voice; she also sings the show's theme. Initially drawn to princesses, she became aware of the franchise's legacy through her parents' enthusiasm, which began with books 40 years prior to its television debut in the 1980s. Recording a song for the show and witnessing Nia on screen for the first time are among her cherished experiences.