Louis Ashbourne Serkis brands inspiration behind ITV Out There ‘disgusting’ as he shares why he took on role
Out There star Louis Ashbourne Serkis has opened up about his passionate reason for wanting to take on the new ITV series.
Serkis, 20, will star alongside Martin Clunes, 63, as a father and son duo who are embroiled in the criminal underworld.
The new show centres around Clunes’ character Nathan Williams, a widowed farmer, being forced to protect his son Johnny (Ashbourne Serkis) after he gets involved with a drug dealing gang.
It will be Clunes first return to screens since leaving behind the cozy world of Doc Brown in 2022, where he had starred in since 2004.
Ashbourne Serkis describes his starring role as a “big one” after finding success in 2022’s ITV miniseries No Return.
The 20-year-old explained it was Out There’s tackling of the growing threat of County Lines crimes which drew his interest.
County Lines crimes involve narcotics being transported across police and local authority boundaries.
“My first reaction was that it is insanely common. There are thousands and thousands of young teenagers involved a year, and many of them end up dead,” Ashbourne Serkis explained to ITV.
He continued: “It’s often the case that it isn’t just about drugs. It can be the manipulation and exploitation sexually. It can even involve human trafficking.”
The young actor reflected that the “shocking and completely disgusting” nature of County Lines criminality was what “attracted” him to the role.
“To be able to play someone who gets involved in it is exciting. It is quite gritty. The content and the writing are absolutely phenomenal,” he enthused.
Along with the chance to tackle such a serious topic, Serkis also revealed that he was excited to work with Clunes.
“Martin is an absolute legend, I felt so honoured that I was able to play his son,” he gushed about his co-star.
The 20-year-old continued: “He is a lovely soul and I have learned so much working with Martin and being on this production.”
“He is one of a kind and I really respect him and have a lot of time for him,” he concluded.
Clunes was similarly warm about him in return, calling him “a really accomplished actor.”
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“Louis is brilliant, he shows the vulnerability of his character so well. He is terrific
“He has a very easy charisma to him that makes him hugely watchable… I can’t wait to see what he does next,” the 63-year-old glowed.
As well as praising Ashbourne Serkis’ acting, Clunes also called him: “The nicest lad, a real gent.”