Oliver, 11, gets his big break in Netflix TV show

IT’S the virtual reality-themed Channel 4 and Netflix series set to take our TV screens by storm.

But for one budding South Wales actor, his role in the pioneering first season of Kiss Me First is only part of the day job.

Premiering on Channel 4, and on Netflix for those outside the UK, the show explores the alluring world of online computer games.

Based on the best-selling novel by Lottie Moggach, the tale focuses on the life of lonely 17-year-old Leila and her discovery of “Red Pill”, a secret world hidden on the edge of her favourite computer game.

And for 11-year-old Oliver Berry from Dowlais his part in the six-part series marks his biggest TV role to date.

“It’s absolutely everywhere, every time I turn on the TV is seems to be advertised,” Oliver’s mother Sam Berry.

“Originally we were told it was be on E4 online and Netflix and then we had a separate contract to say how Channel 4 had picked it up.”

For Dowlais Primary School pupil Oliver the series premiere comes a year after being head-hunted for a role in one of the episodes following his appearance in a Persil advert.

Mum-of-one Sam said: “The director of a Persil advert he did the year before kept my number and phoned me directly and said he was looking for someone for his description to film in Croatia.

“He asked if we were available in the next few weeks.”

From there, the budding star found himself flown to town of Split and Krka National Park in Croatia to play the younger version of series character Adrian.

Sam, a recruitment manager, said: “We were filming in the mansion of the Yugoslav communist leader Josip Tito.

“Oliver didn’t know who he was but it was a bit of an honour.

“He had his own driver, he had his own assistant – he was the only child on set.

“The make-up girls loved him and he loved them.”

For Oliver the filming also came with the added challenge of learning to speak in a Croatian accent. Sam, 45, said: “He had to take on a Croatian accent which was a surprise.

“I just Googled it and there were a lot of Croatian production companies so he was talking to them.

“Before we went we had some information – we knew it was by the writer of Skins which I had seen years ago and me and my husband loved.

“He [Bryan Elsey] was lovely, really down to earth. [Actors] Tallulah Haddon and Simona Brown were also there so it was great sitting with them.”

Despite his work, however, Oliver’s mum is still not sure whether he will be able to watch the series.

She said: “Whenever an advert comes on TV we all have to stop what we are doing.

“Oliver thinks he will watching the series as soon as it airs. He’ll be able to watch his own episode but I’m not sure yet about the others.”

The first episode of Kiss Me First is available to watch on Channel 4’s catch-up service All 4, and then continues on Mondays at 10pm.