A PEEBLES High pupil is set to make his screen debut today (Friday), as a lead role in a new BBC teen drama.

Jack Dickson, 17, will play ‘James’ in the new show ‘Logan High’, which becomes available to watch on iPlayer today.

Jack already has a lengthy CV as an actor, having had starring roles in productions such as Oliver!, A Christmas Carol and Waiting for Godot.

He’s shared the stage with names such as Brian Cox, Bill Paterson and Christopher Fairbank -but he knows that making his television bow will be his biggest stage yet.

Making a programme is hard enough, but the young actors that starred in Logan High were challenged to create their own characters and storyline with minimal input from the director.

Speaking to the Peeblesshire News, Jack told us: “It’s been a great experience, to make a TV show on a very challenging production.

“It’s been complicated in terms of the work we’ve done in regards to improvisation.

"We’ve also had to craft the storylines for our own characters and see what fits and what doesn’t.

“It’s hugely nerve-wracking knowing that it’ll finally be out this week, and I’m so excited!”

Jack first heard about role through his participation at the Lyceum Youth Theatre in Edinburgh, and admitted it was a nervous time to hear if he got the role.

He added: “I found out about a role for Logan High from my teacher.

“I went for it, and after going through what felt like a hundred auditions – I got the part.

“It felt so tense, because I even had to do a one-to-one with a camera and agent to see what my screen presence was like.”

Spending many months making the show, Jack admits he experienced new things as an actor and spoke of what he found difficult.

He continued: “Creating our characters was very unique; I play a character called James – which fits in well considering everyone called me James when I first got on set and met everybody!”

“For me, I found the improv quite challenging – mainly because I’m not very good at it! We were very lucky in the sense we had a great director to help us through though.”

The main thing for Jack though is the immense pride he feels.

He says he can’t wait for people to see Logan High, and what waits for him in the future.

He said: “It feels like I’ve achieved something very special. My dream is to become an actor and hopefully this is the first step in my career.

“It’ll be so strange to see my face on screen!

“What to do next was a very difficult decision to make. I’ve gotten an offer to study at Granton College, so there’s that. I’m also hoping to get an agent – but we’ll just have to wait and see how things go.

“When my family found out, it was great. I don’t’ think my Mum could speak she was that shocked!

“It’s a very proud moment for us.”

You can watch Logan High now on BBC iPlayer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p061td6h