My first role was as ‘Bigamist’ for the TV series Tonight with Trevor McDonald. At the time, there was a storyline about bigamy running on Coronation Street involving the Peter Barlow character. As there was lot of interest, Trevor ran an hour-long story about a real-life bigamist and how they got caught. We filmed at Granada Studios in Manchester, a magistrates’ court, a wedding venue and in a real house.

I didn’t audition for the role as my agent had submitted me and we received a direct offer. It was very exciting arriving at the studios and walking around it all. The job itself, being mainly a reconstruction, just involved taking direction and hitting marks, but throughout I was treated like a VIP with a car to pick me up and take me to places. Although I was a little nervous, I loved every minute of the experience.

Whatever acting work you are looking for, my advice to beginners is to think where your interests lie and focus on training that prioritises that area. If you want to do TV or film, then choose a class that works on screen acting; if theatre, go to a class specific to that – both have different disciplines.

I would strongly recommend going to weekly classes, but not just the same one all the time. Variety is key for me – every tutor gives you golden nuggets to use.

Go to director workshops as they give valuable information about technique. Casting director workshops are great, too. Both these workshops help you build good relationships and also get on to their ‘radar’. A meeting in person at the workshops really does help. If your face ever pops up on their screen, they may say: “I know this person, they could be good for…” and select you. You just never know. There is also an online platform called Act on This where they interview people in the industry, and you learn so much from it.

Networking is key. Go to film festivals, theatre press nights, get to know the writers, producers, directors, actors and keep in touch over socials. Most importantly, don’t just “ask, ask, ask”, you must also “give, give, give”. 

Show interest in people’s work – like, share and comment on it. It’s a two-way street. Be prepared to get out there and work for it.

Andrew Joseph

Age: Undisclosed
Training: Act Up North; various Manchester-based acting classes and workshops
Theatre includes: Hanky Park (Lowry Theatre), The Good Person of Szechwan (Dancehouse Theatre), Bolton Rising, Brave New World (both Bolton Octagon)
TV and film include: The Bay (ITV), The Great North, Franz Kafka’s Before the Law, Choc-Chips
Agent: Self-represented