AN ABERYSTWYTH actor set to feature in a new prime-time BBC One police drama this evening has praised the Arts Centre and its staff for the support and excellent facilities.

Jacob Ifan, 22, former pupil of Ysgol Gymraeg and Ysgol Penweddig, will feature in his first leading role as rookie PC Jake Vickers in the highly-anticipated police drama set in Brighton, Cuffs.

Speaking to the Cambrian News this week, Jacob, who is currently living in Tooting, London, said he was coming home to watch the first episode of the eight-part series with his parents, Rhodri Edwards and Esther Prytherch, who run Y Ffarmers pub in Llanfihangel y Creuddyn.

“My family are very excited about it,” said Jacob, who studied for three years at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff before taking a year out and working as a learning support assistant at Ysgol Comins Coch.

“There has been such a build up that I’m just thinking ‘come on lets see it now’, but it will be nice to watch it back.”

Asked how he landed the role, Jacob said it all happened very quickly and still hasn’t completely sunk in yet.

He said: “It all happened over the period of five days really. From sending a tape off on the Monday, to going to an audition in London on Thursday and getting told I had the job on Friday.

“It still doesn’t feel like it’s happening.”

In the show, Jacob’s character, Jake Vickers joined the force to follow in his father’s footsteps, but working in the same division as his Chief Superintendent Dad, he soon realises that being the boss’ son isn’t a bed of roses, as his partner, PC Ryan Draper likes to remind him.

Jacob said although it was daunting acting alongside big name actors such as Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Inside Men), Amanda Abbington (Sherlock, Mr Selfridge) and Shaun Dooley (Exile, Broadchurch), he was quickly made to feel at ease and has learnt a lot in the process.

Speaking about Ashley Walters, who plays his partner PC Ryan Draper, Jacob said: “I remember when I was 13, I went to the pier in Aberystwyth where I always used to go and rent films.

“I rented Bullet Boy and I remember thinking, ‘who is this guy?’

“Then when Top Boy came out a couple of years ago, I was blown away — you have this idea of him being a hard gangster, but actually he’s a real softie.”

Jacob said he didn’t start acting until he was 17 years old, and always fancied a career in photography.

“I never did drama in school, it was always something I secretly wanted to do. I joined the Aberystwyth Arts Centre Youth Theatre and fell in love with it a bit.

“Mid Wales isn’t that prevalent when it comes to drama, but there are amazing facilities at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, which has helped produce talent such as Taron Egerton and Gwyneth Keyworth.

“Also, Richard Hull [director of youth theatre] was very supportive of all students who went there.”

Despite his amazing success so far, Jacob said he likes to remain grounded and said will always enjoy return visits to Aberystwyth.

“I love coming back to Aber,” he added. “It is just one of those places that is great to come back to.”

Cuffs starts at 8pm tonight and runs for eight weeks.