Yorkshire schoolgirl to appear in Emmerdale

A promising young actress from Bingley, who is making a name for herself in the world of film and television, is poised to appear on one the UK’s most beloved soaps.

Eleven-year-old Anna R, a Year 6 pupil at Bradford Grammar Junior School, was cast as a supporting artist to appear in several village fete scenes in ‘Emmerdale’.

Once on set, the youngster was asked to return for another walk-on role as part of an upcoming big storyline.

Anna, who has been acting and performing since the age of six, said: “It was really exciting being on set, especially when I was next to two of the main cast members. Everyone was so friendly and Minty the lamb provided a lot of amusement!”

Anna’s talents have earned her roles as a supporting artist in a number of acclaimed productions including ‘Last Tango in Halifax’, ‘Boat Story’ and the upcoming BBC One drama, ‘The Listeners’, starring Rebecca Hall.

She also appeared in ‘The Railway Children Return’, sharing the screen with Jenny Agutter and Sheridan Smith in the heart-warming sequel to the original ‘Railway Children’.

Anna, who is signed to Baildon-based stage school and casting agency Articulate, said she underwent a significant transformation for the role. “I had to cut my long hair short and dress in 1940s costumes,” she said. “It was amazing to be on set with a lot of different actors; Jenny Agutter and Sheridan Smith were so friendly!”

Anna is also licensed to appear in ‘Giant’, an upcoming biopic film of boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan. The schoolgirl enjoys acting, balancing her training and on-screen work with her studies at Bradford Grammar Junior School, where she enrolled in September last year.

Her mum, Kate Rhodes, said: “Anna absolutely loves acting, and we are incredibly proud of her achievements. She balances it with her school work really well.”

Richard Ribeiro, Head of Bradford Grammar Junior School, praised Anna’s dedication to performing. “Her upcoming appearance on the iconic soap ‘Emmerdale’ is a testament to her hard work and talent,” he said. “Her passion for performing arts sets a wonderful example for her peers and BGS looks forward to supporting her continued successes both inside and outside the classroom.”