The cast is led by Jakob James Smith (MobLand) as Alan ‘Azzy’ Williams, Connor Newall (28 Years Later: The Bone Temple) as Big Kenzie, and Scot Greenan (Half Man) as Eck. They are joined by emerging Scottish talent, including Beinn Catchpole as Whytey, David Russell as Broonie, Mick Mack as Wee Kenzie, Caiden Henderson-Brown as Addison, Lewis Ray as Danny and Jack Mooney as Wee Toffey. Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy) and Laura Fraser (Breaking Bad) also star as two key figures in Azzy’s life: his inspirational headteacher, Mr McGiver, and his longsuffering mum, Angela.
The story follows 15-year-old Azzy Williams and his friends as they roam the streets of Airdrie on a Friday night, with bottles of tonic wine and techno playing from tinny speakers. Eager to smoke, take pills, drink wine and fight, Azzy longs to become fully initiated into the local gang, ‘The YTP’. But when he makes a bold move to prove himself, a brutal gang conflict ensues, with Azzy at its centre
On being cast as Azzy, Jakob James Smith says: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be playing Azzy. He’s such a complex character and there’s so much in his story about friendship, belonging and trying to find your place. Getting to film in North Lanarkshire, where the story is rooted, makes it feel even more special. I can’t wait for people to meet Azzy and the rest of the Young Team.”
The Young Team explores friendship, identity, territorial violence and belonging as Azzy and his mates become postcode warriors caught in a toxic cycle that threatens to consume them.
Creator and writer Graeme Armstrong says: “The casting process by Synchronicity Films and Des Hamilton has been incredible to see coming alive. With both authenticity of language and a real sense of place at the forefront, they’ve built an amazingly talented group of young Scottish actors who, working with director Paul McGuigan on his homecoming project, will deliver something really special.”
Director and executive producer Paul McGuigan adds: “The Young Team has brought me back to direct in Scotland for the first time in 30 years and I can’t think of a more fitting way to mark my professional homecoming. It’s a privilege to work with our Young Team cast, an exciting new generation of working-class talent selected from an open audition process that saw over 1,000 young people apply. I cannot wait to see our Young Team characters come to life, as we bring Graeme’s iconic novel to the screen.”
Claire Mundell, founder, creative director and executive producer at Synchronicity Films, says: “Graeme’s extraordinary novel is raw, fearless and full of heart and we’re incredibly proud to be bringing this unapologetically Scottish story to the screen. Seeing such an exciting new generation of Scottish talent emerge alongside established names, and with Paul McGuigan at the helm, is so special. Together with our partners at the BBC and BBC Scotland, Fox Entertainment Global and the invaluable support of Screen Scotland, we’re excited to bring this story to life with the authenticity it deserves.”
Set and filmed in North Lanarkshire, The Young Team (6x60’) was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, and Louise Thornton, head of commissioning for BBC Scotland.
The production is receiving development and production support from Screen Scotland and is being made in association with FOX Entertainment Global, which is also distributing the series worldwide.
