Bring The Drama | Preview (BBC Two)

Bring the Drama is the new series opening up the world of screen drama to eight people who have always dreamt of becoming professional actors but have never had the opportunity.

Hosted by actor and comedian Bill Bailey, the eight aspiring actors are mentored over six weeks by renowned casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry as they fulfil their TV dream on set of some of the UK’s most loved dramas, with guidance from guest mentors from each show.

As the eight discover, the job of a screen actor is far from easy - and each production provides new challenges and opportunities for the actors to learn and find out whether they have the talent and skills needed to take the next step into the professional industry.

At the end of the intense learning process, casting director Kelly selects three actors she feels are industry-ready to present their showreel at a major industry showcase for the chance to secure representation from a leading agent.

All eight actors secured their place in Bring The Drama through an open casting call process and were selected from almost 2000 amateur actors from across the UK. Chosen for their raw talent, none have been to drama school or found a way to break into acting professionally, having held back by a variety of factors and access issues.

In episode one it’s a baptism of fire for the aspiring actors on set at EastEnders. Guest star Natalie Cassidy wants to see real emotion on camera as recreate one of her greatest scenes as Sonia Fowler.

It’s the actors’ first step into the world of screen acting and it’s a tough start: soaps are the quickest dramas made on TV and the clock is ticking on every take. If they don’t work together as a cast, it will cost them.

Bring The Drama begins w/c 12th February on BBC Two.