The Stage

Mistry and Bellman to appear in E4 performing arts school drama

Published Friday 17 August 2007 at 16:50 by Matthew Hemley

Jimi Mistry and Gina Bellman are lined up to appear in an E4 drama about aspiring performers at a fictional drama school.

Made by Life on Mars producer Kudos Film and TV, Nearly Famous follows the lives of a group of students who have been awarded places at a top London school for performing arts and have just one chance to prove they have what it takes.

Mistry and Bellman will join a young cast featuring Talulah Riley, who plays Lila, a 19-year-old with a difficult mother, and Aaron Johnson, playing Owen, who is a gifted musician.

Johnson was last seen appearing alongside Max Beesley in ITV’s Talk To Me.

Others who will appear in the series include Anna Brewster as Kate, an aspiring actress who is tired of living in the shadow of her successful theatre producer dad.

Nearly Famous has been written by Holly Phillips.

Executive producer and joint managing director of Kudos Jane Featherstone said: “We’re thrilled to be able to bring new writing of the calibre of Holly Philips to E4. Written from the heart, Nearly Famous is a sassy look at a group of talented youngsters following their dreams of fame, and learning what’s really important on the way.”