Latest Features

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!

During our chat, Rob and I discussed:

• Rob's experiences filming 6 seasons of 'Downton Abbey'.
• What it's like when a dream job like Downton comes to an end.
• Knowing when it's time to find a new agent - and...

If there is one thing I've learnt from 15 years of working as a professional actor - it's that there is NO substitution for hard work!

This applies to everyone in the acting industry - both in front of and behind the camera.

One of the hardest working directors I have EVER met is Lewis Arnold.

At just 31 years old, he's already directed MASSIVE TV hits, including Misfits, Humans, Prey and Broadchurch - a phenomenal achievement.

I caught up with Lewis for a chat about what has lead to his...

Andy Pryor CDG is one of the UK's most respected casting directors.

Working in the highest echelons of TV, Andy's track record speaks for itself.

Andy's been responsible for casting more than 120 episodes of Doctor Who - including 5 new doctors, he's recently cast BBC's Undercover, Call The Midwife and The A Word, and he's just wrapped on a brand new series of Cold Feet.

Seeing first-hand how pro-active Andy is in discovering new talent, I was desperate to get him on Act On This for a...

Agents eh?

They are a BIG part of the acting industry and a HUGE part of your acting career success... BUT so many actors struggle when it comes to finding great representation.

Those who do find it, often have trouble making the actor/ agent relationship work, some actors feel afraid to even call their agents, and many actors find themselves jumping ship too early.

These actors end up between agents with no sense of career direction.

To learn how to avoid all of these mistakes I dropped by...

It gives me GREAT pleasure to welcome back to the site, one of the most fearless directors in the TV industry - BAFTA-winning Jordan Hogg!

Both super-talented and relentlessly positive, Jordan is a force to be reckoned with.

He spends his time directing some of the most popular TV shows in the UK - Coronation Street, Casualty, Hollyoaks and Doctors - to name but a few.

After interviewing Jordan for a full #ActOnThisTV episode - I just had to ask him back for a 100% LIVE video Q&A!

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Kate Rhodes James is a juggernaut in UK TV casting.

With a career spanning 20+ years, Kate has been responsible for casting some of the most successful TV shows to EVER grace our screens.

Kate's credits include BBC One's Line Of Duty, Bodyguard, ITV's Good Karma Hospital, The Terror, Requiem... the list is ENDLESS.

In this EXCLUSIVE interview for Act On This Kate invites us into the world of high-profile drama casting, answering all kinds of questions from members of the community.

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I sit down for an in-depth chat with award-winning filmmaker Chris Stone.

Chris is one of the most talented filmmakers I have ever had the pleasure of working with, and in this interview he opens up about the world of independent film and the amazing opportunities it is currently offering actors of all levels.

During our chat, Chris and I discuss:

• The plethora of acting opportunities in independent film right now.
• Chris' background and how he got started in filmmaking.
• Chris' latest...

ITV's Downton Abbey is perhaps the UK's BIGGEST EVER TV hit - making waves across the globe.

It's one of those shows that any actor on the planet would be happy to take a cameo in.

The show has broken record after record at awards ceremonies, seeing it earn the most nominations of any international television series in the history of the Primetime Emmy Awards, with twenty-seven in total, after just two seasons!

One of those Emmy nominations went to the show's casting director - the wonderful...

George Bukhari is an incredible actor, and also has an incredible story to tell.

Over the last 5 years, George has gone from a drama school graduate, to starring in the West End, landing TOP TV jobs on BBC One's Happy Valley, Ordinary Lies and The A Word - all whilst losing a whopping 11 STONE in weight!

I asked George to join me at 'On The 7th' in MediaCityUK to tell us all about that journey and MORE!

During our chat, George and I discussed:

• The decision behind George's life-changing...

I met Ruth Madeley whilst auditioning for Jack Thorne's BAFTA-winning BBC drama Don't Take My Baby back in 2014, and have wanted to get her on Act On This ever since.

Ruth is not only a phenomenal actress, but also a massive inspiration - having continually beaten the odds in both her acting career and in life itself.

Born with spina bifida and a spinal condition known as scoliosis, Ruth grew up thinking that the acting industry wouldn't be open to people like her.

Her journey to BAFTA fame...