A FORMER Llanfyllin sixth form student has made the big time with a lead performance on BBC One’s hit show ‘Casualty’.
Laurie Kynaston, 20, from Weston Rhyn, appeared in the hospital drama on Saturday, March 8, as ‘Ryan Pemberley’, a teenager who climbs a shipping container to collect an inhaler but falls off, is seriously injured and has complications while in hospital.
Laurie studied at Llanfyllin and was a co-founder of the Lonely Tree Theatre Group, before going on to appear in plays and then moving to London in September to pursue his acting career.
That led him to appear on the hospital drama that has been on the BBC for 28 years.
The young actor said he was surprised to be handed the role, with it coming just weeks after his move to the capital.
He said: “It was a pleasant surprise really when I was handed the role.
“After two weeks down here, I had a call, went to an audition, then was offered the part and filmed in Cardiff for three weeks which was great.”
Laurie had his first break appearing in ‘The Winslow Boy’ at Theatr Clywd which earned him top reviews after starring as Ronnie Winslow.
Following the production he moved to London, found an agent and got started with auditions, leading him to the BBC drama.
Watching himself on television was a surreal experience for Laurie.
He said: “It was weird to watch. I came home last weekend to watch it with my family.
“And I was proud of myself watching it, and the family were proud of me.”
It has been a big transition for Laurie since leaving sixth form just two years ago.  His time at Llanfyllin was followed by a year of travelling around Europe.
The move to the capital followed, however Laurie has not forgotten his roots or where he started.
He said: “When we started the Lonely Tree group, Mandy Saunders was a massive influence for all of us students.
“In year 12 and 13 it was her who pushed me to go for it and make a name for myself, which I am grateful to her for.”
Now he has made his TV debut, Laurie has been inundated with offers for auditions and has landed a part in a Belgian film.
However he has said starting out as an actor is not all glitz and glamour.
He said: “I have a part in a film in Belgium, which is untitled at the moment. But living down here some weeks you have no auditions and some weeks you get like five or six.
“I don’t take anything for granted, but I have thoroughly enjoyed it since moving down here.”