ITV Out There star shares famous parents’ career advice before pursuing acting path: ‘Not bound by this’
A new thriller exploring county lines drug dealing in the countryside is making its debut on ITV on Sunday, with leading man Martin Clunes starring as farmer and troubled father Nathan Williams.
His on-screen son Johnny is portrayed in the drama by 20-year-old Louis Ashbourne Serkis, who has detailed some heartwarming words of encouragement he was given by his parents, who are both well-known actors.
Ashbourne Serkis was described as co-star Clunes as “brilliant,” and the role isn’t his television debut, with the actor having featured in a number of dramas.
His passion for acting seems hereditary, despite his parents, actor and director Andy Serkis and actor Lorraine Ashbourne, advising him to “do whatever you want” with his life.
When asked if he’d always wanted to act, he replied: “Yes, when I was younger my parents always said, ‘You’re not bound by this, you can do whatever you want and we will support you.’
“But I think basically growing up on set, and being comfortable around it, and seeing other people do it, and eventually trying it, I genuinely fell in love with acting.
“Just being creative – I have definitely been more creative than academic in my life.
“I am very lucky to have done what I have done and been to places because of it. I love it.”
He’d also like to explore other areas within the industry, with the young actor continuing: “I always want to act but I also want to start writing my own things, to tell stories of my own, and jump the other side of the camera.
“I keep a notebook with me at all times to jot down ideas. You watch people doing things and it sparks an idea.”
Also talking to ITV, Doc Martin star Clunes, 63, was full of praise for his on-screen son.
“Louis is brilliant, he shows the vulnerability of his character so well,” he stated.
“He is terrific, he is a real discovery. For a nineteen year old he is a really accomplished actor. He does loads.
“He comes from that acting dynasty. He has a very easy charisma to him that makes him hugely watchable, and he’s the nicest lad, a real gent. I can’t wait to see what he does next.”
Out There follows the troubled father and son as they navigate the dangerous world of county line drugs.
An ITV synopsis reads: “Clunes plays Nathan Williams, a man who runs a farm which has been in his family for generations, caught in a numbing rhythm of work and grief following the death of his wife, Sabine, two years previously.
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“A single parent to teenager Johnny, Nathan is uniquely placed and possesses enough pent-up energy to take on the gangs that threaten to engulf his son.
“Consequently, he embarks on a personal journey that will take him ever further out of his comfort zone into a dark alternative world as he fights to protect his family, his homestead and his legacy.
“He’s missed all the clues that the country idyll around him has been fatally compromised, contaminated by waves of criminality spreading and mutating virus-like from the city.”
The thriller debuts on Sunday at 9pm.