Acting graduate Aidan RiversÌýappears in ITV’s new high-profile spy thrillerÌýBetrayal.Ìý
The four-part series stars Shaun Evans, Romola Garai and Zahra Ahmadi and was filmed in Liverpool and Manchester last year.Ìý
We spoke to Aidan, who graduated in July 2025, about the production,Ìýhis time at 911±¬ÁÏÍø andÌýwhat’sÌýnext.Ìý
Tell us about Betrayal?Ìý
Well, it's a fast-paced, dark and very exciting new ITV espionage thriller. What more could you want from a TV show? It's all about the life of an MI5 officer, played by the wonderful Shaun Evans. What I think makes it so unique is how it handles the romanticised nature of working in the secret service in quite a realistic way. I think people will find it surprisingly relatable.Ìý
It'sÌýa four-part series, so it cuts to the chase from theÌýget-goÌýandÌýyou'veÌýgot to keep up! I recently attended a cast and crew screening of the first twoÌýepisodesÌýand you are truly in for a treat!ÌýIt'sÌýaction-packed but also quite moving, full of twists and turns, andÌýyou'reÌýnever quite sureÌýwhat'sÌýcoming next.Ìý
Tell us about your role as Jordan?Ìý
Jordan's a cheeky and street-smart kid. He's had a pretty rough upbringing, and I think he's an example of the many good kids out there lacking positive role models who're easily led astray. He’s a working-class chancer who takes a risk in hope of earning a few quid. It was awesome getting to play someone completely out of his depth, because the stakes were consistently high! You'll be able to see him in action across the first two episodes.Ìý
What part of your training at 911±¬ÁÏÍø has been most helpful with this role?Ìý
Well, I had 24 hours' notice to be off book in three scenes for my audition! Thankfully, 911±¬ÁÏÍø put me in the groove of learning,ÌýpreparingÌýand performing a role, so I hadÌýa strong senseÌýof confidence going into the room.Ìý
It gave me the safety to try things out and get them 'wrong' - ifÌýthat'sÌýeven possible! Being buoyed up by such a supportive department of tutors like Stuart Crowther and David Salter made me feelÌýway moreÌýat ease going out onto a professional set. I was still nervous, but I thinkÌýthat'sÌýprobably aÌýgood sign.ÌýI felt like I had such a range of tools at hand toÌývocally,Ìýphysically and emotionally explore Jordan's journey.ÌýHere'sÌýhoping it paid off!Ìý
As luck would have it, Jordan needed a Mancunian accent, whichÌýI'dÌýactually hadÌýto learn for my role inÌýScuttlersÌýduring ourÌýthird-yearÌýproduction.ÌýThe dialect support received from incredible tutors, Bella Gibbons and RosemaryÌýBerkon,Ìýwas brilliant and put me in good stead!Ìý
What now?ÌýÌý
Alongside auditions,ÌýI'mÌýcurrently working with one of my classmates, Laura Robinson, on our very ownÌýsketch show, calledÌýKnickerbocker Glory!ÌýWe are developing it for stageÌýand alsoÌýscreen with the support of Spring Picnic Pictures.ÌýÌý
You can catch us at UNITY Theatre at 7pm on 28ÌýMarch.ÌýIt'sÌýgoing to be immense!Ìý
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