A KIDDERMINSTER actor has landed his first TV role in the second series of gangster drama show Peaky Blinders.

James Eeles, 23, has just finished filming for the part, which will see him featured in one of the episodes of the star-studded BBC Two series.

The former Kidderminster College drama student said it was "surreal" to be on a TV set and meet the show's star Cillian Murphy.

Mr Eeles, who now lives in London, said: "I’ve been really lucky. I just did one audition so they must have just liked me from the off.

"I’ve actually loved filming, it’s not been a task at all. It’s weird to have a trailer and being looked after. I was standing in the canteen queue and an assistant asked ‘do you want me to get your lunch?'"

Before going to Kidderminster College to study drama, Mr Eeles admits he was the "worst student ever" at King Charles I School as he spent most of his time trying to make other students laugh.

He added: "I was doing a retail course at sixth form and I was working at a Kidderminster store for free, stocking shelves of fromage frais and I just thought ‘is this learning?'"

After leaving high school, Mr Eeles completed a drama foundation course at Kidderminster College before spending three years studying for his degree at the Rose Bruford College in Kent, which boasts The Dark Knight actor Gary Oldman as a former student.

Nigel Holman, head of acting at Kidderminster College, said: "I am delighted that James has achieved his potential having set his foundations here at the college.

"He was always a very gifted character actor and it comes as no surprise that such a talented individual has started to make his way in this industry.”

Mr Eeles started his acting career at the Rose Theatre's youth group aged 11 before performing with the Carpet Trades Musical Theatre Company and Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society. (KODS) "I’d love to be a BBC actor in a regular drama," he added. "Every actor obviously would love to be in movies but I just want to entertain people."

Series two of Peaky Blinders is currently shooting and will air on BBC Two in the autumn.

The epic gangster drama series stars Cillian Murphy, Helen McCrory and Sam Neill and is created by the award-winning Steven Knight.

Tom Hardy, Noah Taylor and Charlotte Riley will be joining the cast for the second series, which will see the Shelby family expand their empire as the 1920s begin to roar.