TWO young brothers have landed roles of a lifetime in a highly anticipated David Tennant drama despite having little acting experience.
Aaron and Bradley Connell, from Bishopbriggs, will appear in lead roles in the Channel 4 drama Deadwater Fell which airs this Friday.
The brothers, who both attend St Matthew’s Primary, auditioned for the four-part series which was shot in Scotland after their mum Elaine stumbled upon a casting call on Facebook.
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Elaine, 36, said: “I just came across a casting call on Facebook which said they were looking for two brothers who lived in Scotland for this new drama.
“I emailed to enquire about it and sent some photos. They got back to me and asked if the boys could learn some lines and submit a taped audition “They then got invited to a face-to-face audition in May before we got a call that they both got the parts.
“It was totally unexpected because they have never done anything like that before.”
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Deadwater Fell tells the story of a small community rocked by a heinous crime. It stars Broadchurch star David Tennant as well as Cush Jambo (The Good Wife and The Good Fight) Anna Madeley (Patrick Melrose and The Crown) and Matthew McNulty (Versailles and Cleaning Up).
Aaron, 10 takes on the role of Elliot Campbell while Bradley, 6, portrays Lewis Campbell.
Elaine said: “Aaron has always been into drama. He has enjoyed being in school shows and has always been confident.
“He attends drama groups in the community locally and his brother always wants to do what he is doing so they were both keen to give it a go.”
She added: “We were over the moon when they both got it, we never imagined they would go all the way.
“We thought that they might just have a small part but they are the main cast and part of one of the two main families which are essential to the story.
“We keep pinching ourselves, did that actually just happen?”
Elaine and husband Martin, 41, joined the boys during 10 weeks of filming over the summer in locations including Paisley and Kilbarchan.
She said: “It is just amazing to see how it all comes together and the work that goes into it.
“The boys enjoyed it as you don’t normally get to see that.”
She added: “Cush Jumbo and Matthew McNulty play their step mum and dad.
“We thought it was lovely how much they all got involved with the kids. They really encouraged them and they gave them so much of their time.
“They really took them under their wing. It was lovely and they got so much from it.”
The family will watch the first episode together at home with Elaine editing out the less child-friendly parts of the story.
She said: “It is a massive opportunity for them. We just don’t know where this will take them.
“Even if nothing else happens it has still been a huge adventure.”
She added: “We were delighted that they both got the part because it would have been really hard if one of them did.
“It is lovely that they will always remember doing this together.”
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