For George Arthur’s first regular TV character, he plays one of the lead roles – Chip – in CBeebies show Biff & Chip alongside a cast including his on-screen family Tilly Kaye, Freddie James, Jack Wilkinson, Kellie Shirley and Melanie Walters, and George has played the character across all three series, with the latest airing this month. George made his professional stage debut playing Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare’s Globe, and he has an upcoming project not yet announced and he trains at Stagebox, who are also his agents. Speaking to George, he told us about having his first regular TV character as Chip in Biff & Chip, being on set of the CBeebies show and making his professional stage debut as Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare’s Globe.

You play Chip, one of the lead roles in Biff & Chip for CBeebies, what do you enjoy most about being part of the series?

Filming Biff & Chip was the best experience! My screen family (Freddie James, Tilly Kaye, Jack Wilkinson, Kellie Shirley and Melanie Walters) became like a real family. Dirk Campbell and the other directors were amazing; it was a joy to work with such a talented cast and crew. It was my first significant role and I learnt so much from being on set every day.

What is Chip like to play and how has it been developing the role over the three series?

Chip is such a great character to play as he is creative, a deep-thinker and always trying to solve problems. Over the three series, it was lovely to see the character and stories develop.

How has it been having Chip as your first regular character on TV and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role?

I was so shocked but really pleased to have been cast! I am so grateful that the director and producers chose me for the role.

There was a lot of jumping around with excitement when I found out I had got the role!

What is it like working alongside Tilly Kaye, Freddie James and the rest of the cast and what do you remember from meeting them for the first time?

Tilly and I met at the final audition stage and we got on so well from the get-go. Freddie is hilarious and it was so lovely having a little screen brother! We filmed the first series during the COVID lockdown, so it was a really special experience as we spent so much time together and our families all became good friends.

There are so many funny and happy memories from working with such a lovely cast and crew.

Have you had a favourite scene or episode to film and what are some of your stand-out highlights from filming Biff & Chip?

I loved the Christmas episode in Series 2 because my character had to overcome his nerves and help rescue Christmas with his family and friends. I also had to sing on my own, which was both a bit scary and fun. It was funny that we were shooting the Christmas scenes during the summer heatwave of 2022!

Another great memory was whenever we got the giggles and it was lovely seeing all the brilliant outtakes on the blooper reel.

Earlier this year, you played Mamillius in The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare’s Globe, how was it making your professional stage debut with the production?

It was a fantastic experience and I felt so honoured to be cast in a brilliant production at such a prestigious theatre. When I received the call that I got the role of Mamillius, I was beyond excited and a little bit nervous!

It was the first play that has ever been performed at both the main Globe Theatre and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, so that felt really special. The set and costumes were beautiful and I enjoyed every performance. Being part of a company at Shakespeare’s Globe is a unique experience that I will never forget.

How did you find the experience performing at Shakespeare’s Globe and what was it like getting into character as Mamillius?

Thankfully, the cast and I were in safe hands with the director, Sean Holmes, who was brilliant. I was lucky to work with voice coaches who helped me learn to use my voice in a theatre without microphones and to learn iambic pentameter.

The role of Mamillius is a tragic and moving role to play. My favourite line was, “A sad tale’s best for winter. I have one of sprites and goblins.” The whole cast were so welcoming and supportive, especially my stage parents and Toby Barnett-Jones with whom I shared the role of Mamillius. Toby and I have also stayed friends, which has been a great bonus.

Had you seen or read any of William Shakespeare’s plays before auditioning and was there anything that drew you to The Winter’s Tale?

Yes! I had read and studied Romeo & Juliet and Macbeth. I loved The Winter’s Tale because it’s both tragic and funny.

I miss it so much and hope I have another opportunity to perform at Shakespeare’s Globe in the future.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into the industry?

My mum and dad encouraged me to go to local theatre classes just to increase my confidence as I was very small for my age and quite shy. Not anymore!

Stagebox invited me to join their training programme after I attended an open boys’ dance day. Four weeks later, Stagebox Management began representing me. Kirsti and Chloe are wonderful agents; they are so supportive and the opportunities that they have given me have changed my life.

Can you tell us about your training with Stagebox, and have you been given any stand-out advice that has stuck with you over your time as an actor so far?

Stagebox training is very rigorous and they expect professionalism and hard work from their students. I’ve been with Stagebox for four years and I feel I have grown as a performer with the help and guidance of the teachers and management.

The stand-out advice has been to be prepared, be on time, work really hard, respect everyone who creates the show and enjoy yourself!

Do you have a favourite aspect of being an actor on both screen and stage?

Becoming the character and performing my socks off!

I take my job really seriously because I think this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. I’m never happier than when I am on a TV or film set, or performing in a live theatre show. I’m incredibly lucky to have had the chance to do both.

…and I love the way in which all the nerves and worry disappear when you step onto the stage or the director says ‘action!’

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?

I love all genres of theatre, film and TV.

My favourite films are Harriet, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. I love the series Loki and Stranger Things. I also love animated shows such as Nimona and Hilda. I recently saw the National Theatre’s production of The Crucible, which blew me away!

How do you like to spend your free time?

Photography and art are my passion. I am really into typography and graffiti at the moment. I’m rarely without a sketchbook and pen!

Do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about and what are you hoping the next year brings for you?

I’ve got a really exciting project coming up soon but I can’t talk about it yet! As always in this profession, who knows what’s coming next… that’s what makes it all so exciting!

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