The story of Chester Zoo will be told in a new BBC1 family drama set to air next year.
And the channel is looking to cast ‘a natural and charismatic’ Chester teenager to play a leading role in the show, which will be filmed in and around the city.
The six-hour drama, called Our Zoo , will be set in 1929 and will tell the true story of the Mottershead family who dreamed of opening a zoo without any bars, before Chester Zoo first opened its doors in 1931.
Set to be one of next year’s most riveting shows, BBC bosses are now on the lookout for a ‘hugely talented and very pretty’ 16-year-old local girl to play the ‘complex’ role of 15-year-old Muriel in the drama, who rebels against her family as they struggle to make a success out of the business.
Muriel longs for a different sort of existence and is subsequently led astray by boys and other bad influences.
The London-based agency looking to recruit the actress has previously worked on a number of big projects including Game of Thrones , Les Miserables and The Chronicles of Narnia and casting agent Robert Sterne said their latest venture was a ‘very exciting’ opportunity.
“We’re looking for a very talented 16-year-old girl in what is going to be a classic Sunday night BBC series for a family audience,” he said.
“The scripts are written by Matt Charman and it will be directed by Andy de Emmony who worked on The Bletchley Circle .
“We’re not looking for highly experienced stageschool kids, we’re looking for a natural and charismatic performer who can rise to the challenge of playing a big role alongside a top-notch cast.
“We are keen to come to Manchester and audition anyone who think they might be suitable for the part. We would send a small bit of script for the girls to prepare in advance and the next stage would be recalls in a casting studio in Central London,” he added.
Chester Zoo spokesperson Rachael Wheatley said: “George Mottershead’s vision for Chester Zoo was to have a zoo without bars and his mission and vision remains intrinsic to the zoo today.
“His is an inspiring story and we are thrilled and delighted that it will be shared in this way.”
If you think you know someone who has what it takes, email Claire Curry at ninagoldnorthernscout@gmail. com with the girl’s name, age, date of birth and a recent picture.
