Making a big splash on the small screen

Published on:
21st December 2023

It’s the perfect time of year to cosy up and catch up on all the great television that’s been on offer in 2023. Here’s our roundup of acting alumni to watch – or watch out for – this festive season and beyond…

Chris Jenks (BA, 2017) and Tommy Sim’aan (FdA, 2020) both had roles in BBC’s primetime drama Vigil alongside Suranne Jones. Charlie Suff (BA, 2018) has been cast as regular Johnny Carter in EastEnders and Georgia Frost (BA, 2017) had a recurring role at the start of the month.

Michelle Fox (FdA, 2016) and Taylor Uttley (BA, 2022) both had roles in Lenny Henry’s ITV drama Three Little Birds whilst Ioanna Kimbook (BA, 2018) has been playing Sophie in Channel 4’s The Couple Next Door and Tessa Wong (BA, 2021) has a role in Sky Comedy series Smothered, also available to stream on Now.

Season 6 of The Crown has finally dropped on Netflix. Olivia Colman (Class of 1991) returns as Queen Elizabeth II for the series finale, Olivia Williams (Class of 1991) plays Camilla Parker Bowles and Lydia Leonard (Class of 2003) plays Cherie Blair, whilst newcomers Joe Edgar (BA, 2022) and Éloïse Richmond (MA, 2022) both have supporting roles in the second part of the series. The Doll Factory currently streaming on Paramount+ features both Tom Mordell (BA, 2022) and Akshay Khanna (FdA, 2020).

Rhea Norwood (BA, 2022) has featured alongside fellow BOVTS alum Alex Jennings (Class of 1980) in Amazon’s Your Christmas or Mine 2. Meanwhile, Kate Cartwright (BA, 2023) has been in Aldi’s autumn ad and Jake Kenny-Byrne (BA, 2021) enjoyed a cheeky Nando’s in another recent TV ad.

The first photos of BBC’s new coming-of-age comedy Boarders have been released with Archie Fisher (BA, 2023) and Assa KanoutĂ© (BA, 2023) both featuring (pictured above).

With other recent grads busy filming for BBC’s forthcoming A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, Beyond Paradise series 2, and Silent Witness series 28, ITV’s The Gathering, Channel 4’s Truelove, and Apple TV’s Masters of the Air, 2024 is set to be just as successful for BOVTS actors.

Have we missed anyone? Get in touch by dropping us a line at [email protected].

Photo: BBC/Studio Lambert (Assa Kanouté pictured far right in upcoming BBC comedy, Boarders)
It was always stressed that the contacts you make during your training are incredibly important, and your classmates are likely to end up being on set alongside you in the future. After working with a director of photography on one of the School’s short films, I was invited to work on a project with him outside of Bristol - proving that the professionals we meet via the School, may one day give us a call to action! Muir McFadden, Technical Graduate
Sat 29 Nov 2025 - Sat 29 Nov 2025
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Once Upon A Winter (Public Performance)