03-05-2025
Cleckheaton actress stars in latest episode of BBC's Casualty
A 12-year-old actress from Cleckheaton stars in the latest episode of long-running BBC drama Casualty.
In the episode, which airs on Saturday (May 3) at 9.20pm, Jessica Lawrenson plays Olive Harris, a young girl visiting her mum, Cara Harris, who is battling cancer at Holby City hospital.
Jessica, who is represented by Baildon-based Articulate Agency, said: "I'm really excited to be part of such an iconic television series.
"It was very amazing and shocking when I found out I got the role.
"We got the call, and I thought it was a feedback call with Stacey [Burrows, founder of Articulate Agency], so I was so surprised!"
Articulate Agency also runs the Articulate Drama School in hubs across West Yorkshire.
The school offers specialist classes, including in screen acting, performing arts, musical theatre, public speaking, singing, and LAMDA drama.
Jessica has previously appeared in Toxic Town, Emmerdale, Odd Squad, and A Gentleman in Moscow, but Casualty is her first major role.
Jessica added: "I wouldn't have gotten this role or had the opportunity without my agency and my agent.
"I send self-tapes to her and she gives me tips on how to improve.
"I've also got brilliant drama teachers, Kirsty and Lee, who help improve my acting every single drama lesson."
Jessica spent a month in Cardiff filming for two episodes in total (episodes seven and eight of the latest season; the May 3 episode is episode eight).
She said that "some of the best advice [she'd] got was to learn the script in chunks."
