Charlie said about his time at Bedford College:
“College gave me real-world experience of performing in front of audiences and helped build the work ethic I still rely on today. The support from tutors was incredible; they really pushed me to believe in myself. One piece of advice that stuck with me was, ‘They have to pick someone’, so why not me?”
A first-generation actor, Charlie discovered his passion for performance at a young age.
“I discovered drama in Year 5 after moving schools. Those lessons were all about having fun, and that’s where my love for acting began. My teacher encouraged me to pursue it seriously, and without that support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Reflecting on his time at Bedford College, Charlie highlighted the importance of both the training and the people he met.
“The teachers helped me every step of the way, and the friendships I made were just as important. Creating work with your peers and practising outside of lessons really helped me improve and prepare for the industry.”
Dannie Stone, Advanced Practitioner in Performing Arts, Media and Music at Bedford College, said:
“Charlie was an exceptional student and it has been fantastic to see his career go from strength to strength. He made the most of every opportunity during his time with us and showed real commitment to developing his craft. At Bedford College, we are focused on helping students realise their potential and progress into the industry, and Charlie’s success is a brilliant example of that in action.”
His breakthrough came with Crookhaven, which he describes as a defining moment in his career.
“Filming Crookhaven was the best summer I’ve ever had. It was also the moment I was able to leave my job at the pub and become a full-time actor.”
Charlie has since gone on to secure further major opportunities, including a lead role in Power: Origins.
“I got the call while I was filming Crookhaven. Just a few months after leaving my job, I was heading to America to star in a TV series; it was surreal.”
He is now encouraging current students to pursue their ambitions in the creative industries.
“You have to love every part of the process, not just the performance, but the preparation too. Learn your lines, be professional, and come in with ideas. Most importantly, enjoy it.”
The Bedford College Group, which has campuses across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, is committed to delivering high-quality education and supporting students to progress into successful careers across a wide range of sectors.
Find out more
To find out more about the Performing and Production Arts courses available across The Bedford College Group, visit https://bedfordcollegegroup.ac.uk/subjects/performing-arts/
To keep up to date with Charlie Mann’s journey, follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliecasparmann/
