Cadoxton schoolboy lands leading role in BBC Casualty tv show

HIS dream is to follow in the footsteps of his idol Michael Sheen.

And it looks like 9-year-old Rhydian Davies has already made a good start.

The Cadoxton youngster has landed the guest lead role in BBC medical drama Casualty.

Rhydian beat off competition from young actors from Bristol and London to win the role of Jake in a gritty and scary episode of the Saturday night popular hospital series. A student at Mark Jermin Stage School, Port Talbot, Rhydian plays a young boy knocked off his bike by a car.

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The character sustains a head injury and is critical in a compelling storyline over the whole episode.

Mum Karen said Rhydian had always wanted to perform. "Rhydian had been nagging us to go to stage school and really wanted to take up acting so we finally enrolled him in Mark Jermin classes in Aberavon," she said.

"He loves Michael Sheen and has always wanted a role on TV.

"It was his very first audition, he auditioned against a lot of young boys and we were all delighted when he got the part."

Rhydian, who attends Cilfrew Primary School, will spend three weeks filming the episode in and around Cardiff and has already attended make up tests and wardrobe calls.

"I have to have a false leg with all cuts and blood on it," he said. "It looks really bad. I can't wait to start filming. I am especially excited to shoot the car accident scene when I get knocked off my bike.

"That's when I will feel like a real actor."

Teacher and stage school director Mark Jermin said: "As soon as Rhydian enrolled he was super confident and said, "I want to be on TV".

"I smiled and replied, 'I think you will be'. He has a great personality and takes direction really well."

But Rhydian has his sights set on bigger things.

"I would like to be in a film like my idol Michael Sheen," he said. "I think he is an amazing actor."

Rhydian's episode of Casualty is scheduled to be on BBC1 around April this year.

Karen added: "We are all very excited and proud of him.

"He may only be 9 but he knows what he wants."