A few months back, I got an Instagram DM, asking me to check out an actor's first short film.

I get A LOT of requests to watch stuff, and always try where I can. The quality of projects varies, but once in a while I'm really blown away.

Actor, Liam Collins' film, My Toughest Battle -...

Lydia West is, in my opinion, one of TV's brightest young stars - recently appearing as Bethany, in Russell T Davies' era-defining drama, Years And Years.

I first met Lydia at the read-through for the show, and didn't know at the time, that I'd go on to play Billy - Bethany's boss.

It was...

Super-talented actress, Susannah Fielding, was thrust into the spotlight recently - playing the role of Jennie Gresham, in Steve Coogan's latest BBC One outing, This Time With Alan Partridge.

This certainly wasn't Susannah's first rodeo though, and what many might perceive as overnight...

Peter Dickson is one of the world's LEADING voiceover artists - with a career spanning more than 40 years, and a CV boasting over 250 of the biggest TV shows to have ever graced out screens.

You'll have heard Peter's voice countless times - he's the instantly recognisable voice of the The X...

Emma Stafford is one of the north's most loved casting directors.

Equally at home casting TV drama and commercials, her portfolio is diverse.

Emma has cast a whopping SEVEN series of 4 O'Clock Club for the BBC, she was responsible for Sky One's Stella, starring Ruth Jones,...

In my opinion, director Chris Stone is the UK's premier showreel producer.

I've worked with Chris a lot over the years.

I've shot custom showreel scenes with him, starred in webseries he's created, he's the only guy I'll let edit my reel, and we've teamed up on multiple occasions, to put...

Director, Phil Beastall took over Christmas 2018, with a short film titled, Love Is A Gift - you can watch it below.

I saw it on Facebook, cried, and felt COMPELLED to share it with my friends. 3 weeks later, that video had racked up 8 MILLION views, and Phil was all over morning TV.

Was it...

I met Asan N'Jie in May of 2018, whilst working on an episode of BBC's Casualty.

One thing INSTANTLY struck me about this guy... his mindset and mental-game was STRONG - I knew Asan was one of life's winners.

During our week of filming, I discovered that Asan had experienced more than his...

Nic Phillips has been a TV director for almost 40 years - and in that time he's directed some iconic shows!

Everything from Grange Hill to Casualty, The Bill, Birds Of A Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart, My Family, and EastEnders.

As I type this, Nic is over on the cobbles, directing Coronation...

Is there really such a thing as an 'overnight success'?

In my experience, the answer to that question, is a resounding NO!

Success in the acting industry, or anything worthwhile in life, for that matter, takes A LONG TIME - years, decades, or more.

That's certainly been the case for Hollyoaks...

When I bumped into BAFTA-nominated writer and creator of BBC One's Poldark, Debbie Horsfield, at a recent readthrough - I just HAD to ask her to take part in a podcast with me.

You see, we hear about casting from a casting director and director's perspective all the time - but NEVER from a...

Known most famously for playing the iconic footman, Thomas Barrow, in Downton Abbey - Rob has come A LONG WAY in the 15 years since I met him at an acting class in Manchester.

I asked Rob to join me at 'On The 7th' in MediaCityUK for a long overdue catch-up and chat about ALL THINGS acting!

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