Earlier this year, Smylie Bradwell was seen playing Will Averill across all six episodes of the new psychological thriller series Insomnia alongside Vicky McClure, Tom Cullen and India Fowler as his on-screen family, with the series streaming on Paramount+. In Series 4 of the Norwegian show Wisting, Smylie joined the cast as Clifford Greenwood, having filmed the show for his first TV project at the age of six, working on location in Norway. Smylie has filmed a couple of unannounced projects – a further TV series and his feature film debut, which will have a cinema release. Recently, we chatted to Smylie, who answered our questions about filming as Will Averill in Insomnia, working with his on-screen mother Vicky McClure and joining Series 4 of Wisting.

Can you tell us about the Paramount+ series Insomnia and your character Will Averill?

Hello, thank you for having me. Insomnia is about Emma (Will’s mum) having insomnia where she’s not sleeping. It is also her birthday and she will be turning 40.

I play Will and he is a little like me because he likes playing football and telling jokes, so we are a lot like each other.

How did you prepare for filming and was there anything that drew you to the role?

My mum prepared me for the role, she taught me all my lines and helped me understand how Will was feeling in each scene. I was so happy to play Will, I loved everything about his character and I was so excited to play a main role.

What was Will like to play and how was your time on set?

It was brilliant, I loved every scene and I loved every second on set. Each day was so good, I couldn’t wait to get into costume, hair and makeup and then on set. Will was so, so good to play, I had the best time when I had to have fake blood in my mouth, when Will cut his lip. We did that scene a few times, it was so good.

How was it meeting the rest of the cast for the first time and working alongside Vicky McClure as your on-screen mother Emma?

The first time I met Tom Cullen and India Fowler, we met at London Zoo along with Börker (Sigþórsson) – the director, and Anna (Patarakina) – the cinematographer (Mummy told me that word), so we could all get to know each other. Sadly, Vicky couldn’t make it, she had got married and was on her honeymoon, but I got to meet her another day. We all had the best time at the zoo, we had cameras to take our own photos and we had candy floss. They were all so friendly and we laughed so much at the camels. Vicky was the best on-screen mum and in real life Vicky was so lovely. We told each other jokes and riddles every day, Tom too. I loved being on set with her.

What did you enjoy most about being part of Insomnia?

Seeing everyone on set, all the cast and the crew and my lovely chaperone Laura. It was the best. Every day was the best. I cried when it ended because I loved being there every day.

You play Clifford Greenwood in Series 4 of the Norwegian show Wisting, how would you describe Clifford and how was it getting into character?

I would say Clifford was a sweet little boy, he was only six I think, again, like me, I was six when I played Clifford. He was brave too, because he was taken away from his family. He was a happy boy and he loved his little bunny rabbit. My mum helped me get into character, we would go over the scene and my mum would explain to me how Clifford would be feeling. So when I got on set with the other actors it went really well.

What was it like joining the cast for the fourth series and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role?

It was sooooo good, it was my first time doing TV and it was amazing. We all met in Norway. I remember my mum and dad telling me I got the job to play Clifford. I remember jumping up and down saying “NO.. REALLY”. It was the best day. I was so happy.

What are some of your stand-out memories from filming for Wisting?

Well, there are lots of them. Probably my favourite one was when I got to do my own stunt. I had a stuntman help me with what I was to do and how to fall and land. That was brilliant.

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

Well, my sister is in Stagebox and one day Stagebox Management asked my mum and dad if I’d like to audition. I was only four years old then. I remember learning lots of lines and my mum filming me. Then when I was five, I auditioned and got into Stagebox Management. As soon as I started doing auditions I loved acting.

Can you tell us about your acting training?

I started doing acting for screen with Stagebox when I was five. We learnt how to do self-tapes and accents. I learnt how to read really quickly too as we would read scripts. Then when I was older, I started musical theatre in person. My mum helps me with my acting now.

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?

I actually like watching wildlife programmes and magic trick programmes. I like lots of films like Sing, Shrek and Matilda.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like going to Flip Out where I bounce on trampolines. I like going on bike rides and going to play in the park with my family. I like doing magic tricks and I like drawing and arts and crafts.

Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?

Yes, that it’s always ok to ask questions. And I do. That’s really good advice when on set.

What are you hoping the next year brings for your career and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

I hope next year brings more exciting TV and film roles for me. I just love acting so much. I can tell you that I have filmed another TV series which will be out soon, that was also fun to film. I also have finished filming a film, my first film which will be out in the cinemas.

I can’t tell you what they are both called right now, but hopefully you’ll find out soon. I can’t wait for them to come out.

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