Chris Newman plays the love interest in new RTÉ teen series 'Aisling's Diary'. Here he talks to Sarah McIntyre about his career in acting, hopes for the future and what to expect from the show.
Sarah McIntyre: Have you always wanted to act?
Chris Newman: Yes, as far back as I remember I've always wanted to be an actor. I've always loved watching films and going out to the cinema. So I started taking drama classes after school and the rest is history!
Click here to see photos from the set of 'Aisling's Diary'.
SMI: How did you get the part?
CN: I worked with the producer Mairtin on a TV show called 'Love Is the Drug' about four years ago so he called me, told me about the show and asked me to come in to read.
SMI: Are you similar to the character you play?
CN: I think the kind of ambition and determination Murphy has for his hip hop is similar to me and acting. I've always had no doubt in my mind that this is what I wanted to do.
SMI: Do you draw on your own teenage experiences when filming the show?
CN: I definitely always try to draw on my own experience when acting. I think about how I would react to a situation and use that to make the character feel more natural.
SMI: Did you know any of the other actors before you started filming?
CN: I knew Louise who plays Siobhan before filming. We went to drama classes together years ago and we live near each other so we know a lot of the same people.
SMI: How is filming going so far for the series?
CN: Filming is going great. The cast and crew are all quite young so we have a lot of fun on set.
SMI: What should we expect from the show?
CN: People should expect a feel good show with lots of dancing! Anyone who has ever had to start a new school or felt like they didn’t fit in somewhere can relate to Aisling's Diary
SMI: What other acting roles have you done, and what are your ambitions for the future?
CN: When I was 14 I appeared in 'Song for a Raggy Boy' alongside Aidan Quinn. I got to travel a lot with it to various film festivals around the world.
When I was 16 I lived in Drogheda for 3 months filming the RTE series 'Love Is the Drug'. After my Leaving Cert, I appeared in RTE's two part drama 'Stardust' about the nightclub disaster. In the future, I hope to keep acting whether it's here, London or LA!
Watch interviews with the stars and makers of 'Aisling's Diary'.
