Articulate Agency actors from Yorkshire in Christmas TV adverts for NSPCC, Smyths Toys, O2 and Vodafone

Mia Tormey, aged eight, from Sheffield, makes her screen debut in the NSPCC Christmas advert.

For hers sixth acting credit Kate Luo, 10, from Bingley, features in the Smyths Toys commercial, which was filmed in Prague.

Tommy Wilson-Bond, 20, a University of Leeds student, opens the O2 Christmas advert, which was shot in London.

And Myla Brown-Maynard, five, from Leeds landed her first cast role for the phone network, Vodafone, which was also filmed in the capital.

Articulate Agency also has several of its young actors in a new Christmas ad filmed by Sam Teale Productions in Cleckheaton, who were behind the viral ‘GoKart’ Christmas ad last year, which received global attention. Their ‘alternative John Lewis advert’ attracted 15 million views. This year, the production will focus on a widow who has recently lost her husband.

Stacey Burrows, founder and director of the Baildon-based agency, said: “The increased demand for child actors on TV has opened up incredible opportunities for young talent. Being based in local communities across Yorkshire, we’re incredibly proud to be nurturing raw talent, and creating transformative opportunities for children and teens from diverse backgrounds.”

Articulate Agency has built a reputation around Christmas adverts. In previous years, its talent has featured in Christmas ads for Iceland, Nintendo, Sports Direct, Asda, Lakeland, the Co-op and MacDonalds.

Rocco Haynes, 10, who was recently awarded a Yorkshire Young Achiever Award for his work in the arts, starred with his brother Austin , in the Co-op Christmas ad in 2020, where the boys busked to Oasis’s Round Are Way.

Rocco went on to have parts in many TV shows and films, and is now set to feature in a film with an Oscar-winning director next year, due to be announced, says Articulate. His brother Austin has had multiple TV and film roles, including in George Clooney’s Boys in the Boat.

Stacey said: “Christmas ads have become a huge occasion for the nation, so to have so many of our young actors star in them each year is something we’re incredibly proud of. It’s often a gateway, too, to bigger roles.”

Articulate Agency has grown a reputation for securing big roles, particularly for children (four to 15) and young adults (16 to 25) actors. Its clients feature in shows including Waterloo Road (BBC), The Dumping Ground (BBC), Ackley Bridge (Channel 4), Biff & Chip (CBeebies) Peaky Blinders (BBC), Happy Valley (ITV), Emmerdale (ITV), Robin and the Hoods (Sky), and also has one of its young stars in Richard Curtis’s upcoming animation, That Christmas (Netflix).