A Game of Thrones star has returned to her North East roots to inspire future talent.
Laura Elphinstone, who also stars in ITV drama Grace, visited the University of Sunderland to share her career journey and offer advice to screen performance and performing arts students.
The actor, who grew up on Barnes View, Sunderland, has starred in a number of hit shows, including Line of Duty and Chernobyl, and has now returned to the city to help inspire the next generation.
She said: "What a privilege it has been to talk to students who are in the early stages of their journey.
"I have a clear memory of meeting professional actors while I was at college.
"They were doing the job I was so desperate to do but meeting them made it seem possible for ‘normal’ people to achieve the same.
"The arts should be accessible for all so I’m keen to have useful and honest conversations with people wanting to join the industry.
"I hope it makes entering the profession feel more tangible and I hope it removes some of the mystery that can surround it."
Laura's career began in theatre, with her first role in the play Country Music at the Royal Court Theatre in 2004.
She has since acted in numerous plays, including the RSC production of The White Devil and the National Theatre’s 2015 production of Jane Eyre.
Her screen career began with a TV role in the 2008 BBC adaptation of Tess of the D’Urbervilles.
She has since worked on several blockbuster shows, including Game of Thrones, Line of Duty, and Chernobyl.
She currently plays DS Bella Moy in the ITV crime drama Grace.
Kira Cox, a third-year screen performance student at the University of Sunderland, said: "I've not yet had the opportunity to be on a professional set, so to get this kind of advice has been very helpful.
"Opportunities like this are absolutely amazing and it's exciting to see so much happening in Sunderland.
"The opportunities at the university are life-changing."
Dr Adelle Hulsmeier, programme leader for screen performance at the university, said: "It is always immensely beneficial to have a visiting professional come to speak to our students.
"Laura's background and experience are of huge value to students who are starting out in this industry.
"We have thoroughly enjoyed having Laura here at the university, hearing about and celebrating her successes as a north-east born actress, and learning from her expertise."
Laura was awarded an honorary doctorate of arts by the University of Sunderland during the university’s winter graduation ceremonies in November last year.
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She said: "As a proud Mackem I can’t tell you how chuffed and genuinely moved I was to have received the honorary degree and especially to be presented with it at the Stadium of Light where I got my first job at 16 waitering."
For more information on studying BA (Hons) Screen Performance at the University of Sunderland, visit: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/media/undergraduate-screen-performance/
For BA (Hons) Performing Arts, visit: https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/performing-arts/undergraduate-performing-arts/
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