What can you tell us about PRU?

PRU is about a Pupil Referral Unit which is for kids who are too misbehaved to go to a normal school. We get an insight into how a PRU compares to a normal school. There is a mixture of comedy and serious moments.

What can you tell us about your character, Halil?

Halil is the definition of a ‘class clown’. He is never serious and he is always up to mischief. One minute you will be laughing with him but then you will be laughing at him. He honestly takes nothing seriously in life and goes with the flow.

Tell us about your casting.

I was sent a post on the Fully Focused Instagram page, where there was a casting call for a young Turkish male actor. After applying, they then emailed me to join an Instagram Live audition but unfortunately I couldn’t make it, so alternatively, after receiving the script, I auditioned over Zoom - I even wore my old school uniform! They liked my performance and told me they will get back to me which they did!

What was your school experience like growing up?

I enjoyed breaks, lunchtime and after school but I hated lessons! I used to always get in trouble. I just hated sitting in a room doing work, but I loved Drama. That was where I was most connected and behaved but in the rest of my lessons, I was the class clown. My teachers definitely had a love/hate relationship with me! It came to the point where I didn’t want to anything else apart from entertain people, make people laugh and learn how to act.

What was it like to work with the rest of the cast?

It was an absolute honour and pleasure working with the cast and crew and I enjoyed creating a great relationship with these guys. To just be in a room with people who love the art as much as you do and create something beautiful people will watch and love was a great experience. I would love to do it all over again.

Were there any highlights during filming?

The entire experience was a highlight! It was so fun on set and there was great banter and energy between cast and crew.

What drew you to the project?

I’ve always dreamed of playing a character from my hometown in Turkey, so to be able to speak Turkish and bring my tradition to an English pilot was great. There are rarely any Turkish main roles in British TV so I’m truly grateful to be this character and to be in this pilot.

What can viewers expect and why should they tune in?

Viewers should tune in because this is something fresh, with fresh actors that have not had past credits. So, it will be something that hasn’t been seen before!