For Max Ainsworth’s first main regular screen character, he plays Connor Bell in the ITVX comedy series G’wed, working with Dylan Thomas Smith as Reece, Jake Kenny-Byrne as Christopher and Zak Douglas as Mo. Series 1 of G’wed was released last year, and Max reprised his role for this year’s Series 2 release, and he attended the 2025 BAFTA Awards with G’wed nominated for Best Comedy. Further screen projects for Max are episodes of Maternal, Hollyoaks, The Responder and Moving On, and he has worked on a number of commercials including for New Balance. Upcoming for Max is a BBC series for which he filmed in Liverpool and is written by Tony Schumacher, and a Series 3 of G’wed is in the making. We recently spoke to Max about being in the cast of ITVX comedy series G’wed, what Connor Bell is like to play and attending the 2025 BAFTA Awards.
In the ITV comedy series G’wed, you play regular character Connor Bell; how did you feel finding out you’d been booked for the role for your first main regular character on screen and how are you finding the experience working on the show?
When I first found out, I was really happy to be part of the show and to be cast as one of the regular roles. I was nervous at first but once I met everyone on set, I was fine.
I am thoroughly enjoying playing the role of Connor and I couldn’t have asked for a better first job. I am learning so much. Everyone on set is amazing and we are like a big family working together.
Can you tell us about G’wed and your character, and how has it been seeing the response to the series so far?
G’wed is simply school kids trying to get through life and dealing with everyday issues. In school, you do come across some of the characters that you see in the show. What I love about the scripts is that the characters talk about these issues so openly and people can relate.
The response has been overwhelming and I’m proud to be part of it. We have been nominated for many awards, including an award at the BAFTAs, which was a totally amazing experience. I’m just a normal lad from Kirkby who’s just finished five years in LMA and I was at the BAFTA Awards, it’s mad! Then the next day I’m back to normal uni life.
The response from fans and generally people in the public have been really positive and lovely. People will come up to me and say “you’re the lad off G’wed” and ask for a picture, people have been really friendly.
Was there anything that drew you to the role of Connor and what is he like to play?
At first, I actually auditioned for the role of Reece. Then for my second audition I was asked to read a few scenes for Connor. Once the writer and producers met me and we had to workshop the scenes with lots of different actors, they realised I was right for Connor.
I was made up when I got the role and then when I first read the script at home, I was thinking to myself, can I really say these things on TV? It made me laugh as some of the script were what you would hear in school about other people’s mums.
What is it like on set of the series and is there anything you enjoy most about being part of a sitcom?
My favourite part of being on the show is being with the cast as what you see in the show is how we are in real life together. Before the show I hadn’t met any of them before.
How is it filming alongside the rest of the cast, which includes Dylan Thomas Smith as Reece, Jake Kenny-Byrne as Christopher and Zak Douglas as Mo?
We have a laugh and we wind each other up on set and play pranks. Maybe not on Dom Murphy, who plays Ted, as we are all scared of him, he’s dead hard.
Have you had any favourite scenes/episodes to film so far, and what are some of your stand-out highlights from filming the first two series of G’wed?
My favourite scenes are with the lads as we bounce off each other and have funny banter. I’d say one of my favourite scenes so far has to be with Leanne Best, who plays Jody (Reece’s mum), where I knocked at the door and she offered to cook my tea. The first part of the scene when she opened the door took a few takes as we just kept laughing. At one point she said to the director, “I can’t film with him, he’s too funny and he’s making me laugh too much”. It was such a laugh to film.
How did you feel when the first series was released on ITVX in 2024 and how was it returning to film this year’s release of Series 2?
It was scary at first as comedy is very subjective, one person will find something funny and another person won’t. I always feel that if anything Scouse is advertised as new to watch, it can be judged before it has the chance to be seen. When the show came out, we were blown away by the response. It was amazing news when Series 2 was announced.
What was it like attending the 2025 BAFTA Awards, where G’wed was nominated for Best Comedy?
It was such a surreal moment. I was sat there in the audience with people who have been in the industry for years and I got to go there after my first main job. I got to meet other actors, who were really nice and took the time to speak to me and the other cast about the show. It was an amazing experience and mad to think that other actors knew who I was and stopped to speak to me.
You have also filmed for Maternal, Hollyoaks, The Responder and Moving On, what were these series like to be involved with?
My first supporting role was on Hollyoaks whilst at school and I remember my first day watching them film and thinking I want to do this more. I was surprised at the work that goes into a scene. I couldn’t believe how it was all set up. My other supporting roles on The Responder, Maternal and Moving On were really enjoyable and, like I’ve said, you learn so much just by watching and listening on the day.
Can you say about some of the commercials you’ve worked on, which have included New Balance and Finding Liverpool for Expedia?
I filmed the New Balance advert back in 2021 in London and it was an amazing experience as I got to do some voiceover work for them too. I did the advert just before everyone started wearing New Balance trainers again. The Finding Liverpool advert was boss as I’m a huge Liverpool fan with my dad and grandad. However, it was freezing on the day and I had a big red nose.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?
At the start of school, I didn’t even like drama, pretending to be a tree and stuff. My mum came to parents evening around Year 9 and the teacher told my mum to take me somewhere as she could see I had a talent for acting.
I joined Devine Theatre Company with Lewis Devine and Terri Anne in Kirkby and it went from there. We did stage shows, acting classes, dance and we had many masterclasses with people from the industry. I spent a few years there and it was brilliant.
After this, I got representation by the late Sylvie Gatrill, who sadly passed away, and then by Lauren McQueen, who took over the agency. My career started to progress from there. I joined LMA in 2020 and spent two years at college there, I loved it that much I decided to stay and do my BA Hons and I graduated this summer. It’s been hard work filming and studying at the same time but my most important thing was to finish my degree.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?
My favourite film is Goodfellas and my favourite TV series at the moment is House with Hugh Laurie.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I like to play on my PlayStation, meet up with mates and watch the football as I’m a huge Liverpool fan. I love spending time with my family and holidays.
Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?
I can’t say I have been given any advice as such, but I have had conversations with actors who I’ve worked with who have been around for years and they have told me about their experiences and how it all started for them. I think I’m young and I’ve still got a lot to learn and every day is a school day when on set and filming. So, I’m just going to continue as I am for now and work hard and see what comes up for me.
I think the most important thing is to stay grounded, humble and don’t take anything for granted. Being an actor is hard work and you have to continue to put that hard work in and don’t become complacent.
What are you hoping the next few months bring for your career and do you have any projects coming up that you can share?
I have a few weeks of filming left for G’wed Series 3, which will be out in the new year. I have just finished filming a new BBC series which was filmed in Liverpool, written by Tony Schumacher, which is also out in the new year. It was amazing to film and I learnt so much from the actors on set. I can’t wait to share more details soon.
Moving forward, I’m just going to continue what I’m doing and hopefully carry on working as I love what I’m doing.
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