{"id":44392,"date":"2024-01-24T11:03:56","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T10:03:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1964789"},"modified":"2024-01-24T11:41:25","modified_gmt":"2024-01-24T10:41:25","slug":"bring-the-drama-cast-meet-the-actors-in-the-new-bbc-series","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/bring-the-drama-cast-meet-the-actors-in-the-new-bbc-series\/","title":{"rendered":"Bring The Drama cast: Meet the actors in the new BBC series"},"content":{"rendered":"

RadioTimes.com has an exclusive first look! <\/p>

By Katelyn Mensah\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 24 January 2024 at 10:03 AM<\/p>

\n\n

BBC Two\u2019s new series will be opening up the world of screen drama to eight people who have always dreamt of becoming professional actors but have never had the opportunity.<\/p>\n

Hosted by Bill Bailey<\/a>, Bring The Drama will see eight aspiring actors mentored over the course of six weeks by casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry, who has cast popular shows like Bridgerton<\/a>, Broadchurch and Gangs of London.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not the same as some of the other big talent shows,\u201d Hendry said ahead of the show\u2019s launch. \u201cWe don\u2019t show you the huge selection process. We only focus on the group of people who we think have a shot at doing well.\u201d<\/p>\n

Each episode will focus on something different, and the actors will be invited onto the sets of well-known UK dramas including EastEnders<\/a>, Peaky Blinders and Silent Witness<\/a>, where they will get the chance to recreate iconic scenes.<\/p>\n

But who are the aspiring actors taking part? RadioTimes.com<\/a> has an exclusive preview of the cast of Bring The Drama \u2013 read on to find out more about them!<\/p>

Bring The Drama cast<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Delasi Zikpi<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Delasi. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>27<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Ladbroke Grove, London<\/p>\n

Delasi is a cab driver from London whose drama lessons in school allowed him to \u201crelease and embrace freedom\u201d.<\/p>\n

After having a passion for drama at school and taking the subject at GCSE and A Level, Delasi felt pressure to get a \u201cproper job\u201d and decided to attend university to study law and psychology. However, he chose to quit his studies to focus on a career in acting.<\/p>\n

Now working as a taxi driver, Delasi has flexibility to attend auditions and drama classes, as well as getting the chance to practice his accents by mimicking his passengers.<\/p>\n

Delasi\u2019s dream role is Black Panther<\/a>, noting that he loves Marvel and Chadwick Boseman\u2019s portrayal of T\u2019Challa.<\/p>\n

\u201c[I] hope that I would be able to do the role justice,\u201d Delasi said. \u201cNow I need to get on the radar of Sarah Finn. Hopefully this is the first step!\u201d<\/p>\n

George Heron<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
George. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>62<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>County Durham<\/p>\n

Growing up, George was a quiet child in school and although he enjoyed performing, he struggled with academia, with teachers saying he was a \u201cwaste of space and wouldn\u2019t amount to anything\u201d.<\/p>\n

After he left school, George joined the Royal Navy and he suddenly began doing impressions and voices to entertain his colleagues. From then on, he organised, wrote and produced the troops \u2018Sods Opera\u2019 \u2013 a skit-based cabaret and improv show.<\/p>\n

Now a retired police officer, George feels there is a real lack of opportunities for adults to pursue acting even as a hobby in the North East.<\/p>\n

After growing frustrated, George set up a club with his friends but has never had an acting lesson in his life \u2013 only what he has found online.<\/p>\n

Speaking to the BBC ahead of his appearance on Bring Tahe Drama, George said: \u201cYou know, when you\u2019re a kid, you dress up as a cowboy, you dress up as a spaceman, you dress up as a soldier. Try doing that when you\u2019re 61, people are gonna look at you rather strangely, aren\u2019t they?<\/p>\n

\u201cBut if you turn around and say you\u2019re an actor, \u2018oh, it\u2019s okay. He\u2019s an actor\u2019. You can get away with it. So I think that\u2019s what drives me.\u201d<\/p>\n

George applied for Bring the Drama because he wanted to show his skills and prove to himself that he can be an actor. He explained that it is something he has \u201calways believed\u201d but never had the chance to explore.<\/p>\n

Janice Sampson<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Janice. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>67<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Sheffield<\/p>\n

Acting was never on Janice\u2019s radar growing up and in adulthood it was even further from her mind as she had to focus on raising her family.<\/p>\n

However things soon changed when her youngest started school, leaving her with more free time to start writing scripts for her local amateur dramatics\u2019 society. Since then, Janice has become a trusted member of her local amateur acting group but now worries her age is a barrier in reaching her dreams.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on her time filming the series, Janice said it was \u201cbrilliant\u201d. \u201c[It was] a massive learning curve, so many memories and a bunch of truly wonderful people to experience it with,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n

One of Janice\u2019s dream roles is to be in Doctor Who<\/a>, or on a soap, comedy, crime drama or even Loose Women!<\/p>\n

Jordan\u00a0<\/strong>Kelly<\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Jordan. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>27<\/p>\n

From: <\/strong>Manchester<\/p>\n

Jordan grew up in Manchester with their mother and father and it was performance that gave them an avenue to express themselves. Since leaving school, Jordan has spent the past 10 years working in cafes and bars, performing poetry on the side.<\/p>\n

Despite contemplating attending drama school, Jordan suffered low self-esteem and imposter syndrome growing up. They attempted to attend university, but with family unable to help with the finance, Jordan worked full time, but it all became too much and they left the course.<\/p>\n

Jordan describes themselves as \u201ca storyteller\u201d. They said: \u201cMy main art form is poetry, however I make multi-disciplinary theatre, and acting is another element of my desire to share stories with the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love live performance, most of my work is generally performed in a live capacity but Bring The Drama has opened the doors of TV and that\u2019s a very exciting avenue to explore.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lizzie Alabi<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Lizzie. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>26<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Elephant and Castle, London<\/p>\n

Lizzie studied finance and accounting at university and it was while studying where she discovered acting and something clicked.<\/p>\n

As a result, Lizzie left university before finishing and moved back home. Since then, Lizzie has had a series of jobs, all to finance her budding acting career.<\/p>\n

While her family weren\u2019t supportive of her passion for drama growing up, today they are Lizzie\u2019s number one fans and regularly see her in her community and local amateur drama shows in Peckham.<\/p>\n

The aspiring actors get the chance to work with Bill Bailey in the series, something Lizzie \u201ccouldn\u2019t believe\u201d when she walked into the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was gob smacked,\u201d she said. \u201cI had gone from seeing him on my screen to him knowing my name standing in front of me. I couldn\u2019t believe it, but Bill is one of the nicest people ever.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was so funny and so supportive to every one of us. He joined in where he could and affirmed us positively throughout the process.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rehanna Bernard<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Rehanna. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>47<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Bristol \u2013 now lives in West London<\/p>\n

Rehanna has always had a passion for the arts but put it on hold after family pressure to pursue a more academic route. In her 20s, Rehanna enjoyed being part of her Church theatre group, but since hasn\u2019t thought about acting as a career until her life changes caused her to re-evaluate.<\/p>\n

Six years ago, Rehanna lost sight in one eye due to retinopathy, coupled with a gradual deterioration of vision in the other. This period prompted Rehanna to undergo a reassessment of her life and contemplate the path she wished to lead.<\/p>\n

A standout moment from filming Bring The Drama was when she realised how \u201camazing\u201d her fellow actor were in helping her to shine.<\/p>\n

She said: \u201cI don\u2019t want to give too much away but every one of them played an amazing part in my own personal journey on the show, and I can\u2019t wait for the world to see it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris Flynn<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Chris. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>23<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Warrington<\/p>\n

After encouragement from his sister to explore acting at an inclusive part time drama course, Chris found his acting stride and has grown in confidence.<\/p>\n

Chris longs to see the deaf community better represented in drama and has ideas for deaf characters in some of his favourite TV shows such as Peaky Blinders.<\/p>\n

Ahead of his appearance on Bring the Drama, Chris said: \u201cI love acting because this is my dream, it\u2019s my passion. And this is what I really want for a career, for long term. It\u2019s really important to me as a deaf person to use my eyes and focus on giving physical expression.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chris has \u201clearnt so much\u201d from Bring the Drama, noting that his biggest takeaway from the show was being on the set of Peaky Blinders and being taught various stunts.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was the best day of my life being on the set of one of my favourite shows,\u201d Chris said,<\/p>\n

Luca Gittens<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"A\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Luca. Wall To Wall\/Dave King<\/em><\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Age:\u00a0<\/strong>24<\/p>\n

From:\u00a0<\/strong>Runcorn, Cheshire \u2013 currently living in London<\/p>\n

Luca\u2019s love for acting was sparked during her early childhood and her journey towards pursuing her dream as an actress began with the simple joy of performing shows with her mum at home.<\/p>\n

At 18 years old, Luca set out for London, armed with her headshot and unbelieving determination to conquer the world of acting. In 2022, Luca was offered an acting scholarship at a drama school in New York but couldn\u2019t attend due to the cost of living.<\/p>\n

Luca described her time on Bring The Drama as \u201ca complete dream come true\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was just so grateful for the opportunity,\u201d she said. \u201cEach week, I could see real growth as I was learning new things about myself and my craft. At times, it was challenging \u2013 learning scripts and preparing for roles with such short notice.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were really thrown into the deep end, but by the end of week 5, I felt we were all beginning to learn how to swim.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bring The Drama will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. <\/strong>Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide<\/a> or Streaming Guide<\/a>, visit our Entertainment<\/a> hub for the latest news.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only \u00a310 \u2013<\/strong> subscribe now<\/strong><\/a>. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to<\/strong> The Radio Times Podcast<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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