TWO young actors from a Bradford theatre school have starring roles on TV this Christmas.

Joel McVeagh, 24, of Thackley, is in new Netflix movie A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby and recently attended its Los Angeles premiere.

And Zak Sutcliffe, 18, of Holme Wood, who has been in several films and TV dramas, is appearing on CBBC’s Top Class Celebrity Special.

Joel and Zak both attend the Bradford-based Yorkshire School of Acting.

Joel has been in all three Christmas Prince Netflix films.

The first one, A Christmas Prince, was in 2017, followed by A The Royal Wedding in 2018 and now The Royal Baby.

The hit romantic comedies are about an American journalist, Amber Moore, who travels to Aldovia on a press assignment and ends up marrying the Crown Prince. In this third instalment, Christmas brings a special gift to Aldovia, but Queen Amber must save her kingdom by unwrapping a monarchy mystery.

Joel, who shot the film in Romania’s capital Bucharest, plays Andy, the Prince’s best friend.

“I have taught Joel since he was 12,” said Yorkshire School of Acting (YSA) principal Matt Zina. “I taught him as a junior, then mentored him as a junior drama teacher, all the while teaching him YSA’s acting methods. A few years ago, a casting director sent for Joel - he had the option to either self-tape or go and see her in person. He chose to go, and he really impressed with his American accent, his acting ability and personality. He impressed them so remarkably that they were willing to give a massive break to a young man living in Bradford. His role in A Christmas Prince even gives him a credit pre-title!”

Added Matt: “We’re all sad at YSA because Joel is leaving to go to Vancouver in January to turbo-boost his film career in North America. He really has been a loyal servant of YSA, both as a student and a drama teacher. He’s such a talented young actor, he’s going to make great waves in this industry.”

Zak Sutcliffe started at the Yorkshire School of Acting when he was 11 and after just two classes he was cast in a short film. At the age of 14, he landed the starring role of Peter Pan in Emmy winning TV drama Peter and Wendy, along with Hunger Games actor Stanley Tucci and singer Paloma Faith.

The former Tong High School pupil was also in Sacha Baron Cohen’s 2016 film Grimsby and has appeared in acclaimed TV dramas No Offence and Butterfly, with Anna Friel. Last year he was in Italy filming a movie called Short Cut, described as a coming-of-age monster movie, and this year he joined the cast of popular CBBC series 4 O’Clock Club, about a school detention group.

“Zak is one of the country’s most exciting young talents,” said Matt. “He’s so brave with his choices. People like Zak are the reason I set up YSA - for real kids, not from the usual theatre school backgrounds.”

Zak will be on our small screen over the Christmas holiday, appearing on a special festive edition of CBBC show Top Class - a quiz show hosted by comic Susan Calman in which youngsters and their teachers from around the country compete for the crown of smartest school in the UK.

Zak will appear with other young TV stars on Top Class Celebrity Special, to be screened on CBBC on New Year’s Day at 5.30pm.