Ask anyone in the television industry and they’ll confirm that Nottingham is something of a hotbed when it comes to producing acting talent.
Many stars of stage and screen from Nottingham are graduates of city’s Television Workshop, formerly known as the Central Junior and Television Workshop.
The workshop was originally set up by Central Independent Television (now ITV) in 1983 to act as a casting pool for young talent in their broadcasting region in the Midlands.
In 1984, Central Independent Television opened a second site in Birmingham.
Over the last four decades, the Television Workshop has proven invaluable to the careers of many household names, including Vicky McClure and Samantha Morton.
1. Samantha Morton
Samantha Morton, aged 45 from Nottingham, was a member of Nottingham's Television Workshop, formerly Central Junior Television Workshop, and entered the British acting scene in 1991. The award-winning actress has starred in films such as Emma (1996), Under the Skin (1997) and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016). Morton recently starred in HBO's The Walking Dead. She won a Primetime Emmy Award, BAFTA Award, and Golden Globe Award nomination for her role as Myra Hindley in the HBO film Longford (2006). Photo: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images
2. Vicky McClure
Wollaton-born Vicky McClure, aged 39, has been busy and booked on television since her breakout role in Shane Meadows' film This Is England (2006). McClure auditioned for the Central Junior Television Workshop when she was 11 and was coached by fellow Nottingham-born actress Samantha Morton. McClure is best known for her role as Lorraine 'Loz' Jenkins in the This is England film and mini-series from 2006 until 2015, and Detective Inspector Kate Fleming in BBC's Line of Duty (2012–present). Photo: Shutterstock
3. Jack O'Connell
Jack O'Connell, a 32-year-old actor from Derby, is probably best known for his role as James Cook in the British hit series Skins (2007). O'Connell, at age 13, attended the Television Workshop in Nottingham, where he trained in drama twice a week. His first lead Hollywood role was in Unbroken (2014), a biographical film drama, directed by Angelina Jolie. He has since starred in the Netflix film adaptation of Lady Chatterley's Lover. Photo: Mark Douet
4. Bella Ramsey
Isabella May Ramsey was born in Nottingham. She is a 19-year-old actress, probably best known for her role as Lyanna Mormont in the HBO hit Game of Thrones (2011). She began auditioning for roles while at the Television Workshop. Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images