Story/Interview January 17, 2019
Pupil Interview: CBBC's Secret Life of Boys star Gene Gurie
King's InterHigh pupil Gene Gurie stars in the BAFTA children award-winning series Secret Life of Boys on CBBC. He has answered a few of our questions about his acting career so far and life at King's InterHigh.
How long have you been acting and how did you get involved in it?
I have been acting since I was 11. I joined an after school acting class called YATI and was taken on by the agency there. My first professional role was at The Old Vic in London in 2013 in Much Ado about Nothing.
You play Ethan, one of the main characters in Secret Life of Boys on CBBC, how did you get the part and what is like to be a part of a show like that?
I auditioned for the role of Ethan in 2015 and filmed the first series that year. Being part of a show like Secret life of boys is amazing. To be able to do what you enjoy on such a funny, mad show is incredible. The other actors on the show are all really talented and because we have all been together since the beginning we are all very close and we actually feel like we are a family.
What was your favourite moment on set?
I think one of favourite moments on set was the “Mud Fight”.
What is a typical day’s filming like?
Filming can mean really long days and not everything always goes to plan! And not only do you have to film all your scenes but have to fit in tutoring time too.
Are you anything like Ethan in real life?
I am nothing like my character Ethan, he’s a little bit weird and out there, but I love my role and the secrets he has.
What’s been the highlight of your acting career so far?
One of the proudest moments of my life was when the Secret Life of Boys won a BAFTA in 2016.
What has the reaction been like from your family and friends?
My friends and family have been really supportive of me and everyone is really proud of the show.
Can you tell us why you decided to join King's InterHigh and how it fits in with your acting career?
I was at a secondary school in Islington before King's InterHigh, but found it quite difficult to combine my acting and schooling.
At King's InterHigh my lessons come to set with me, if I can’t be in a live lesson I just watch the recorded version in tutoring time,so it fits in perfectly for me. Every day on set is different and a rigid timetable is impossible to follow so having my lessons available whenever or wherever I can do tutoring is so helpful, even when I’m up a hill in Belfast dressed as a goblin (you’ll see in the show )!!!
King's InterHigh has been a real asset to me as an actor as I can do what I love while keeping up with my education at the times that suit my filming schedule.
Aside from signing up to the King's InterHigh Activity Weekend School Play, what advice would you give to King's InterHigh pupils interested in getting involved in acting?
If you have a passion for acting follow your dream, join some local acting clubs, or even act out some plays with your friends. It really is hard work, but I love what I do.
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