BBC begins search for The Young Team

Teenage boys invited to audition for adaptation of Armstrong novel

- JUDITH TONNER

Young men aged 15 to 19 from across Lanarkshire are being invited to take part in open casting for roles in a BBC adaptation of The Young Team, the award-winning book by acclaimed Airdrie author Graeme Armstrong.

Casting company Des Hamilton Casting is seeking actors for filming taking place next spring, and say they are “especially keen to hear from individuals with no previous acting experience”.

The writer's 2020 debut novel - following the journey of teenager Azzy Williams from joining a local gang into adulthood, and inspired by the author’s own experiences - is being made into a TV series of six hour-long episodes, to be set and filmed in North Lanarkshire.

Sharing their acting opportunity, representatives from Des Hamilton Casting said: “We are currently looking for young men aged 15-19 from Lanarkshire, Glasgow and the surrounding areas, for a TV series adapted from Graeme Armstrong's bestselling novel The Young Team.

“If you or someone you know fits the brief and are interested, we would love to hear from you.

“No acting experience required - many of our successful castings have come from first-time actors, and for example, we cast the TV series Top Boy through reaching out to youth clubs and schools.

“This isa paid role. Please share with anyone who could be suitable.”

Budding actors can register interest at https://form.jotform. com/251353856334055 and more information is available at www. deshamilton.com/opencastings.