12 year old newcomer Louis Dunn stars in the title role of Jamie Johnson in a brand new CBBC children’s drama, which is set to hit TV screens around the Euro 2016 Championships and features cameos from Gary Lineker, Ruud Gullit and Notts County FC’s Roy Carroll.
An open casting for boys who love acting and football was held in Manchester for the role back in July 2015.
The three episode series follows Jamie starting a new school, making new friends, dealing with school bully Dillon (played by Patrick Ward), searching for his absent father and eventually making the school’s football team, all with the support of his new friends Jack (played by Olivia Lava) and Boggie (played by Jonnie Kimmins).
Produced by Short Form Film Company, the 3 x 30 minute children’s series was filmed entirely in and around Nottingham last summer, and is inspired by the book series Jamie Johnson, written by former Football Association editor Dan Freedman.
Joe from Short Form Film Company, said: “From the first time we read the books we knew Jamie Johnson needed to be taken to the screen. It resonated with us as film makers, aspiring footballers and brought back fond memories of school life. We were delighted that CBBC shared our vision of creating a new drama series which we hope encapsulates the hopes, fears, pain and joy of our central character Jamie and all those who inhabit his wonderful world.”
Jamie Johnson has already been recommissioned for a second series, with production on the new series starting in August.
CBBC Commissioner Cheryl Taylor said: "Jamie Johnson is a wonderful new drama coming to CBBC this summer - tying in perfectly with the Euros. Although the underlying theme is football, the series is not just for football fans. The storylines have a really wide appeal for all the family."
Dan Freedman, author of the Jamie Johnson book series, said: "Children all over the country have been telling me just how excited they are about Jamie Johnson being brought to life and now they are going to see a cool, original, edgy drama that will speak to them on so many levels. I think the audience are going to absolutely love it."
The 2016 UEFA European Championship kicks off on June 10th until July 10th with Jamie Johnson expected to transmit around that time.