Amongst George Kent’s recent screen projects, he played John Kelly earlier this year in episodes of BBC’s new drama series Virdee, and in 2024, he played Hunter Chapman in episodes of Doctors. In Series 6 of Brassic, George played Young Dylan, and he played Young Harrison in the ITV series Grace – which is based on the novels by Peter James. George worked alongside David Walliams in the 2017 screen adaptation of David’s book Ratburger, in which George played Harry, and his further screen work includes playing William Robinson in the two-part drama series Dark Angel alongside Joanne Froggatt as Victorian serial killer Mary Ann Cotton, and he played Young Slean (Ed Speleers) in the ITV series Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands. Also working on commercials, in 2023, George could be seen in the commercials for Yorkshire Tea and British Heart Foundation – The Greatest Treasure, and George also works on radio, having voiced Billy Casper in the BBC Radio 4 drama A Kestral for a Knave, which saw him win the Best Debut Performance Award at the BBC Radio Drama Awards. Talking to us, George told us about filming for episodes of Virdee and Doctors, playing Young Dylan in Brassic and Young Harrison in Grace, working on the David Walliams book-to-screen adaptation Ratburger and voicing Billy Casper in the BBC Radio 4 drama A Kestral for a Knave.
Earlier this year, you could be seen playing John Kelly in episodes of the new BBC drama series Virdee, how did you find the experience on set of the show?
It was honestly one of the best sets I’ve been on. The atmosphere was incredibly focused but also really supportive. Everyone from the director to the crew was committed to telling this powerful story. The tone of Virdee is so rich and layered, and you can feel that on set. I felt lucky to be surrounded by such talented people who genuinely care about the work they’re doing.
Can you tell us about your character and what did you enjoy most about being part of Virdee?
I played John Kelly, who’s a young guy caught between loyalty to his friends and doing what’s right. He’s just someone who’s easily influenced and finds himself in way over his head. What I loved most was exploring that grey area of morality. The writing gave me a lot to work with, and I had the freedom to find the vulnerability underneath John’s tough exterior.
How was it playing Hunter Chapman in episodes of Doctors last year and what was your storyline like to work on?
Doctors was fast-paced but brilliant. My character, Hunter, was dealing with a really emotional family situation, his mum had a health scare and he didn’t know how to handle it. It gave me a chance to play a more emotional side of things and show how teenagers often mask fear with anger or sarcasm. It was my first time working on a soap and I learned a lot from it.
What was it like meeting and working with the regular cast and how was it filming for a long-running soap opera?
The regular cast were so welcoming. You’d think after so many years on a show, people might be a bit on autopilot, but not at all. They take so much pride in what they do. I was amazed at how efficient everything was. There’s no time to waste, so it taught me to make quick decisions as an actor and stay really focused.
You played Young Dylan in an episode of Brassic – Series 6, how much did you know about Brassic before booking the role and how was it joining the show for an episode?
I was already a massive fan of Brassic, so getting the call to play Young Dylan was surreal. It’s such a unique show, funny, gritty, and unpredictable and I’d binge-watched it before. Joining for an episode felt like jumping into this mad world that I’d only ever watched from the outside. Even though I was only there for a short time, the team made me feel part of it straight away.
How was it getting into character as Young Harrison in the ITV series Grace and what was it like having a guest role in a series based on the novels by Peter James?
Young Harrison was one of those roles where you have to do a lot of preparation. The character has experienced trauma, and although I’m only in the story for a small part, that history sits under everything. Working closely with John Simm was also insanely surreal as I had followed his career for years and in turn saw him as somewhat of an inspiration for my own. He gave some incredible advice and was a pleasure to be around on set. I read a bit of Peter James’ work beforehand to get a sense of the tone, which really helped. Being part of something with such a strong fan base was a huge honour.
Do you have any favourite memories from filming for the 2017 TV film Ratburger as Harry that you can share?
That was such a fun set. I was younger back then, and I just remember being amazed by all the props and the mad energy of it all. One of my favourite memories of it was performing a comically bad dance at the school talent show (shot in a real school in Stockport and in front of about 100 real students). It took so many takes as the cast, crew and students were all laughing so much at the absurdity of what we were doing, and all in all it felt like the childhood book had come to life.
What was Harry like to play and how was it being part of one of David Walliams’ book-to-screen adaptations?
Harry was cheeky and full of curiosity, which made him a joy to play. David Walliams’ stories have that perfect mix of heart and humour, and I think the whole cast really embraced that. To be able to work so closely with David Walliams throughout the shoot was an honour, as not only was he hilarious both naturally and with his character of Bert, but being the author meant that he could give these perfect pieces of direction that allowed the film to be so close to the book. It was special to be part of a world that so many kids know and love. Seeing young viewers respond to the film afterwards made it even better.
In the two-part drama Dark Angel, you played William Robinson alongside Joanne Froggatt as Victorian serial killer Mary Ann Cotton across both episodes, can you say about your time filming this project?
That was my first time on a historical drama, and it was intense but fascinating. The costume and set design were so authentic, it really helped you feel like you were in that time period. Joanne Froggatt was incredible to watch up close; she was so grounded in her performance. Playing William, who came extremely close to becoming one of Mary Ann’s victims, meant I had to understand fear and innocence in quite a mature way. It really shaped how I approach characters now.
What do you remember most from taking on the role of Young Slean (Ed Speleers) in ITV’s Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands?
The scale of that production was insane. I remember stepping onto the set for the first time and feeling like I was in a fantasy film. Playing Young Slean meant I had to show the roots of a much more complex adult character, which was a really cool challenge. I spent time watching Ed Speleers’ scenes to pick up on his mannerisms, so there was consistency in how the character grew.
You have also worked on radio, where you voiced Billy Casper in the BBC Radio 4 drama A Kestrel for a Knave, how different did you find this to your on-screen characters and what was it like winning the Best Debut Performance Award at the BBC Radio Drama Awards?
Voice acting was a completely different experience. Without the camera, it’s all about the voice, every emotion, every beat has to come through in how you speak. Playing Billy Casper was a privilege. That story is so raw and northern and working-class, I really connected with it. Winning the Best Debut Performance Award was completely unexpected and a huge confidence boost.
In 2023, you were part of the commercials for Yorkshire Tea and British Heart Foundation – The Greatest Treasure, can you tell us about them?
The Yorkshire Tea shoot was a laugh from start to finish, it doesn’t take itself too seriously, which I love. And The Greatest Treasure was a completely different tone, much more cinematic and emotional. It told a really moving story in such a short space of time. It’s amazing how much storytelling you can do in under two minutes.
How did you get into acting and was it always something you wanted to do professionally?
I actually got into acting through a local drama group when I was about seven. I wasn’t the loudest kid, but something about being on stage just made sense to me. I started doing little adverts and short films, and I fell in love with the process. By the time I was a teenager, I knew this was what I wanted to do full time.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?
Too many! I love gritty British dramas like Happy Valley, but I’m also a sucker for American stuff like The Walking Dead. In terms of films, the Star Wars franchise will forever be my favourite, the mix of the wild space adventures and personal stories is just perfect in my eyes.
How do you like spending your time away from acting?
Being a fan of all things film, I naturally took an interest in the behind-the-scenes process and have even began writing my own. I find it so creative and often therapeutic and times. When I am not writing or acting, I fill my time playing football. Having done so since I was young, it’s one of those things that I will forever enjoy.
Is there anything you enjoy most about working in the acting industry, and have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?
What I enjoy most is the chance to live different lives. Every role teaches you something new about people and yourself. The best advice I’ve had is to “stay curious”. Never stop asking questions about your character, the story, the world they live in. That mindset keeps you open and keeps the work fresh.
What are you hoping 2025 brings for your career?
I’d love to work on something character-driven and challenging; I just want to keep learning and keep doing work that feels meaningful.
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