Search launched for young actors to play popular TV twins Deian a Loli

A massive search has been launched to find two youngsters for a hit TV series about a pair of mischievous twins with secret super powers.

Production company Cwmni Da are looking for two child actors to take over the main characters in the multi-award winning S4C show, Deian a Loli.

The current duo, Ifan Henri, 10, and Lleucu Owen, 11, are now too long in the tooth to play their parts in the popular Welsh language series.

The show has earned critical acclaim and scooped no less than three BAFTA Cymru awards, along with a host of other accolades.

According to director and co-producer Martin Thomas, no previous acting experience is needed.

He said: “Any young actors aged between nine and 12 years of age are invited to send us a video telling an interesting story about themselves. It can be literally about anything they have done, have seen or just a figment of their imagination.

“The last time we carried out this exercise we received more than 550 videos and the previous time we got around 300 so the whittling down process will take a bit of time.

“We are looking for children with enthusiasm and a zest for life.”

The closing date for applications is January 3, 2022, and more details can be found on the Cwmni Da website.

‘Ribidirew!’

By saying the magic word, Ribidirew!, Deian and Loli are able to freeze their parents while they go off on fantastic adventures.

With preparations under way for the fourth series, Deian and Loli is now established as a firm favourite with Welsh youngsters and their parents.

Ifan, who lives in Abersoch, and Lleucu, from Cerrigydrudion, say playing Deian a Loli has been an unforgettable, fun-filled experience.

“I really enjoyed it, “ said Ifan. “There was loads of fun with the crew and Lleucu and I got on really well. There were lots of jokes and Lleucu and I would often have a fit of the giggles and we’d have to re-do the scene. I think the most we had to do was seven takes.”

Lleucu, who attends Ysgol Brynhyfryd in Ruthin, added: “I’ve watched Deian a Loli since it started and I was pleased to get the part. I was a bit nervous but once we started, I felt confident.

“Filming was great and I learned such a lot about acting. I would like to do something like this again and possibly go into the world of acting,” she said.

‘Pandemic’ 

Lleucu and Ifan were kept busy filming the 15-minute episodes until earlier this autumn after the Covid-19 pandemic upset the production schedule.

Both pair advised anyone applying for the roles to prepare their short videos carefully. They should be no more than two minutes long.

Martin said filming will take place in the Caernarfon area next May, shooting an initial 10 episodes and a further 10 the following year.

He added: “Ifan and Lleucu have been brilliant and I’d like to thank them for their amazing contribution to the success of Deian a Loli.

“The show fires up the imagination of the children and shows that they can have an adventure.

“Some of the tales might have a darker edge but it all works out in the end.

“The programme has been well received but for me the real joy has been to see the faces of our audiences when we stage special events like premieres.

“Sitting in a cinema and looking at the children spell bound and staring at the screen as the episode unfolds is priceless.

“The Covid pandemic meant we were not able to stage as many of these as we would have liked with Ifan and Lleucu but I’m sure we will be able to stage these again,” he said.

The closing date for applications is January 3, 2022, and more details can be found on the Cwmni Da website.