Meet the young cast of City of Tiny Lights

City of Tiny Lights is a noir inspired London thriller directed by Pete Travis, based on the novel by Patrick Neate which stars Riz Ahmed (currently to be seen on Netflix starring in the much-acclaimed The Night of), Cush Jumbo, and Billie Piper.

As the film moves through present day multicultural London, it also cuts back to Tommy's youth in 1997, telling the story of his friendship with a lad called Lovely (Antonio Aakeel), his mate Stuart (George Sargeant) and his growing love for Stuart's girlfriend, Shelley (Hannah Rae).

The filmmakers spent almost five months searching for the youngsters, cast by Celestia Fox. Beyond conventional casting methods they trawled youth clubs, theatre's and schools in search for the perfect young ensemble.

Playing the younger Riz Ahmed is newcomer Reiss Kershi-Hussain (represented by Shepherd Management) who had no previous acting experience before being cast as the impressionable young Tommy.

18 Year old Hannah Rae represented by Sainou plays the beautifully enigmatic Shelley (adult version played by Billie Piper.) Hannah will be seen next in Broadchurch as David Tennant's daughter Daisy. She is currently in training at Central School of Speech and Drama.

Antonio Aakeel (represented by Identity Agency Group) from Birmingham, plays 17 year old popular playboy Lovely (adult version portrayed by BIFA winner James Floyd.) Antonio has featured in E4’s Skins and will be seen next in BBC One’s three part drama Three Girls directed by Philippa Lowthorpe.

Gang leader Stuart is played by George Sargeant (represented by DAA Management.) George is best known as TJ in Eastenders, son of Patsy Palmer.


These talented youngsters join Riz Ahmed, Billie Piper, James Floyd, Cush Jumbo, Gandhi star Roshan Seth and newcomer Mohammed Ali Amiri in a fantastic ensemble piece.

City of Tiny Lights will have its European premiere on October 13th at London Picturehouse Central and is due a cinematic release early 2017.

City of Tiny Lights is produced by Ado Yoshizaki Cassuto of NDF International and Rebecca O'Brien from Sixteen Films. BBC Films and BFI developed the script and financed the film in association with Lip Sync productions, Fel UK and Ingenious Media.