Calderstones pupil Matthew Roberts stars in moving drama

Calderstones School’s pupil Matthew Roberts has set his sights on a career in acting after making his television debut in the harrowing ITV drama Little Boy Blue.

The A-level student plays Owen Jones, the brother of 11-year-old Rhys Jones who was tragically shot and killed as he made his way home from football training.

Matthew landed the role in the four-part drama after a speculative phone call from Purple Giraffe Talent Agency to the Mossley Hill school’s drama department enquiring about any promising actors they may have.

Following a recommendation from the school’s head of drama, renowned casting director, Amy Hubbard, visited the school to audition the 18-year-old and he was cast as Owen Jones in the flagship series, which features leading British actor Stephen Graham as DSI Dave Kelly who heads the investigation into Rhys’ murder.

Matthew, who previously attended Yula Acting School and LIPA, has starred in a couple of school productions as Daddy Warbucks in Annie and the Artful Dodger in Oliver but Little Boy Blue is his first TV role.

The 18-year-old plans to pursue a full-time career in acting once his A-level studies are completed in the summer and he has recently been signed to international casting agency Curtis Brown who will co-represent him.