BRADFORD schoolboy Yousef Naseer has landed a major role in a new American TV drama after just weeks of drama classes.

Yousef, nine, of Manningham has spent weeks filming in Hungary for season two of Tyrant, created by the makers of TV hits Homeland and 24.

Tyrant is about the son of an infamous Middle-Eastern tyrant, now a doctor living in America. In the first series, which aired last year, he returned to his home country after 20 years for a wedding and was caught up in a political crisis and revolution.

Yousef had been attending drama classes at Articulate Speech, Drama and Casting in Bradford for two months when he was invited to audition for the show.

"Yousef is a very talented young boy and works extremely hard in classes each week," said Articulate owner Stacey Burrows. "I was blown away by his audition piece. He was offered the role by leading casting directors in London, after just one audition. He appears across five episodes, some of which have already aired in America.

"Yousef was delighted with the offer and said he couldn't quite believe it. His parents were thrilled."

Yousef and his father, Mo, were flown out to Budapest, where the production team had created a village set. "It was amazing," said the youngster. "I was put up in five-star hotels, chauffeured to different filming locations, and had one-to-one school tuition so I didn't fall behind. I had my own caravan trailer to chill in, and I got to do what I love most - acting - with some sensational British and American actors."

Mrs Burrows added: "Bradford is producing some fantastic young actors who are heading out into the professional world at young ages - not only that, but Bradford is being used more and more regularly for TV and film. In the past six months, our children have filmed for several fantastic projects in Bradford.

"One of our students, Dylan Miles-Davis, 11, from Idle was cast in the film Hunter's Prayer shot this year at various locations including Salts Mill.

It stars (American actor) Sam Worthington who was in Avatar. We're looking forward to it being released later this year."

* For more about Articulate Speech, Drama & Casting contact Stacey on 07854 268499.