Inside Beyond Paradise's Dylan Llewellyn's life off-screen - from 'making sandwiches' to telly stardom
He got his big break in 2018 when he landed the role of James Maguire in Derry Girls, and now Dylan Llewellyn is back on our TV screens in BBC's Death in Paradise spin-off show, Beyond Paradise. The actor plays PC Kelby Hartford in the hit show, supporting DI Humphrey Goodman, played by Kris Marshall.
Dylan, 31, has had a hugely successful few years and has definitely found his feet in the acting industry. The actor began his career on E4 soap Hollyoaks, in which he played Martin 'Jono' Johnson in 94 episodes, with the character eventually being killed off.
Following his soap stint, Dylan made appearances in Holby City as well as films Frequencies and Down Dog. However, acting gigs began to dry up, and Dylan took on a job at a cafe making sandwiches.
Just when he was about to give up, Dylan landed the role of James in Derry Girls. Speaking about being cast in the hit Channel 4 show, he told The Guardian: “It was emotional, really. I was about to give up. It really meant the world to me. It saved me.”
He starred in all three series of Derry Girls, with the role proving to be the big break he'd been waiting for. Dylan then landed the role of main character Jack in Channel 4 series Big Boys, created by Jack Rooke.
Despite his hugely successful TV career, acting wasn't Dylan's dream in his younger years. He previously told how he wanted to pursue photography as a teen, only to accidentally fall into acting.
“I fell into it by accident. With GCSEs, I chose media, photography and drama. Honestly, it was meant to be a doss subject," the actor, who suffers from dyslexia, admitted.
His drama class entered a competition via the National Theatre and he realised acting let him "put on a mask" and manage his confidence struggles. Dylan's group went on to win the contestant and perform at the National Theatre.
“Acting let me put on this mask, just like that character. On stage I did things I never imagined possible," he said.
This performance led him to being scouted and then signed by an agent. He still enrolled in a photography course at college, despite landing auditions. Eventually, age 17, he auditioned for Rada and was accepted on a foundation course on his first attempt.
