Derry Girls star Dylan Llewellyn's life from almost quitting acting to soap exit
Rising talent Dylan Llewellyn, who won hearts as James Maguire in the critically acclaimed Channel 4 series Derry Girls, is back on our screens in the Channel 4 comedy Big Boys. At just 32, Llewellyn has quickly established himself as a mainstay in the industry, taking on the role of Jack in the coming-of-age drama Big Boys, and starring alongside Kris Marshall as PC Kelby Hartford in Beyond Paradise, the Death in Paradise spin-off.
Llewellyn began his career with a 94-episode stint as Martin 'Jono' Johnson in E4's Hollyoaks, before moving on to roles in Holby City and films like Frequencies and Down Dog. However, despite his early success, he faced a dry spell, which forced him to take a job making sandwiches in a cafe.
Speaking candidly on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, he revealed: "I was struggling a bit and I was almost like going to give up on acting, you know?"
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“And I just wasn’t getting any auditions, and yeah, it was just a really quiet period and I was working in a coffee shop and just grafting because that’s like the realities of acting. You’ve got to graft, you know, it’s a really tough industry.”
Just when he was on the verge of abandoning his acting dreams, he landed the role of James in Derry Girls, a turning point that came at a crucial time in his career. In an interview with The Guardian, he confessed: "It was emotional, really. I was about to give up. It really meant the world to me. It saved me."
Dylan Llewellyn, known for his standout role in the hit series Derry Girls, which spanned all three seasons, has seamlessly stepped into the lead of another Channel 4 favourite, Big Boys, created by Jack Rooke.
Confirming the show's immense popularity and recognition with multiple BAFTA nominations, the writer has announced that this third series will be the final chapter for Big Boys. Despite his evident on-screen prowess, Dylan didn’t always envision an acting career; as per OK!, he initially had his sights set on photography until a serendipitous twist led him to act.
The actor has been open about his journey, particularly how his dyslexia influenced his decisions: "I fell into it by accident. With GCSEs, I chose media, photography and drama. Honestly, it was meant to be a doss subject," he admitted. However, it was his participation in a National Theatre drama competition that shone a spotlight on his innate ability.
Through acting, Dylan discovered a means to "put on a mask" and tackle his self-assurance challenges.
Triumph in the competition resulted in a prestigious performance at the National Theatre, an experience that helped Dylan realise his potential: "Acting let me put on this mask, just like that character. On stage I did things I never imagined possible," he stated. This pivotal moment caught the eye of an agent, and even after starting a photography course, Dylan's auditions persisted.
Remarkably, at only 17, he earned a coveted spot at RADA on his initial attempt.
Get ready to tune in as Big Boys season 3 premieres tonight on Channel 4 at 10 pm.
