In the CBBC show Hetty Feather, David Knight had his first major recurring role playing Ned in the first three series before returning for last year’s Series 6 – The Final Chapter. David made his professional screen debut playing Young Louis in Doctors, and he was in the feature film A Dozen Summers as well as the short films Project 444, Archway 0173 (which was written by his mother) and Finding Richard, where he played the grandson of Colin Baker. Also having experience in voiceover and theatre, David has appeared in a production of The Phantom of the Opera and voiced Arthur in the video game A Plague Tale: Innocence. Continuing with his acting career, David is currently training at drama school. We spoke to David about his time in Hetty Feather as Ned, filming A Dozen Summers and working on short films.
Can you tell us about playing Ned in Hetty Feather and what was it like on set?
Ned was a fantastic character to play. He was bright, resilient and loyal. I was very nervous starting Hetty Feather as it was my first big recurring role on a series but the set was such a supportive place. Everyone in the cast and crew were a joy to work with and every day at work brought something new and exciting. It helped me grow a lot as an actor and a person and I’m very grateful for the time I spent with everyone involved. I’m extremely proud and honoured to have been a part of it.
Did you have a favourite episode to work on and what was it like developing the character?
One of my favourite episodes was in Series 3 Episode 4, Ned took it upon himself to discover what the source of the school wide illness was, I really loved getting to play detective and having my big Poirot like reveal in the courtyard. The joy of developing a character over a long-running series is you have so much time. I grew up with Ned and he with me, I got to see him develop every year when the new scripts would be read and I loved to see where I could take him next. It was a very natural process that I just had to let breathe.
How was it being in the cast and what did you enjoy most about being part of the show?
It was a such a joy to be part of the cast. We all brought something different to the table and complimented each other really well. We supported each other on the long days and always had fun during our breaks and when filming. They were fantastic summers and I’m so proud of everyone seeing how we’ve all developed and grown as adults now. It’s a unique experience, something only the people on that show will understand, we have a special bond and I’m really grateful for that. It’s hard to pick a specific part I enjoyed over anything else. Really it was the whole process, the learning, the friends and creating something special that made it such a fantastic time.
What was it like returning for Series 6 and reuniting with the rest of the cast?
We’d always joked that there’d have to be that reunion in a couple years but I wasn’t sure we’d ever actually get to do it, or certainly not as quickly as we did. But I’m so glad we did it. I was over the moon when I got the call that we’d be coming back to send Hetty off properly. The whole cast slotted back into old ways very quickly and soon it was like we’d never left. I enjoyed every second of the final series, and getting to see Ned as a police officer was such a joy and a great place to take the character.
How did you find the experience on set of feature film A Dozen Summers?
A Dozen Summers was a really fun film to be a part of. I knew a lot of the cast and the director pretty well so it was just like hanging out with friends really. It was always lighthearted and fun even on the stressful days! Being part of a comedy is a lot of fun, you get to play around a lot and it’s lots of laughing. I was very excited to watch the film again on Netflix when it came out on December 10th.
Having worked on the short films Project 444 and Archway 0173, which were released recently, what can you tell us about them?
They’re both really interesting Sci-Fi films. Project 444 centres around humanity’s fight for survival and Archway 0173 is a beautiful film about a young boy and girl split by time. I loved being a a part of both and I’m especially proud of Archway as it was written and directed by my very own mum!
You also worked on the short film Finding Richard alongside Colin Baker, what was this like to do?
I’m a massive Doctor Who fan so getting “that” call to say Colin Baker would be my grandad was incredibly exciting! At first, when he arrived on set, I think I was terrified of saying the wrong thing but soon we developed a really fun working relationship and he was a very kind and generous actor.
What do you remember most from playing Young Louis in Doctors?
Louis was a tough character, he’s experienced a lot at a very young age and it can be hard to put yourself in those shoes, especially as a very young actor starting out. Everyone on the set was lovely though and very supportive. Doctors was my first professional work and it was a great way to start.
Can you say about voicing Arthur for the video game A Plague Tale: Innocence?
It was an absolute dream to put my voice into a video game like A Plague Tale. It was a really interesting creative process to go on. The team were fantastic and were really helpful as I found my feet in a new medium. Arthur was a strong and powerful character to voice and I think the whole game was a real success!
You have stage experience, can you tell us about some of the shows you’ve performed in?
Stage has always been my home, I’ve had the opportunity to perform in some fantastic plays and musicals. I’ve played André in The Phantom of the Opera, The Young Lad in The Pitmen Painters and Jem in Callisto 5 to name a few highlights. I adore theatre and these shows were such a fantastic experience.
What was it like being a contestant on Series 5 of Britain’s Got Talent?
Britain’s Got Talent was a whirlwind. I was very young but it taught me a lot. The judges were very nice and funny and it was certainly an experience I won’t forget.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you start?
Acting, for me, is about telling stories. I’ve always loved taking characters, exploring them and creating something I can be proud of. I started performing from the age of four and just instantly fell in love with the stage and subsequently screen. It’s an ongoing learning process and one that I love.
Do you have any favourite TV shows or films to watch?
I have a real mix I like to watch. I love things like Rick and Morty, and Doctor Who. I’m also a big fan of old comedy, one of my favourite shows is Porridge with Ronnie Barker. I’m currently watching the new series of Big Mouth.
What are you hoping the upcoming year brings for your career?
I’m at drama school at the moment, it’s important to me to take the time to push myself out of my comfort zone and continue my studies as an actor before I fully enter into the industry. It will be a very exciting three years with fantastic people.
David Knight is represented by Just Right Management https://justrightmgt.co.uk
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