Offenders star Chris nets Corker gong
Chris Walley played Jock in The Young Offenders ACTOR Chris Walley will be letting everyone know he is “most definitely not British, but Irish” at the BAFTAS.
The Young Offenders star, who shot to fame as lovable Cork teen Jock Murphy in the hit film and TV series, is to be honoured in the Breakthrough Brits initiative.
He is among 19 people to receive the gong including producer Fodhla Cronin O’reilly, who comes from Co Kerry.
The pair follow in the footsteps of Spider-man actor Tom Holland and The Black Panther’s Letitia Wright.
Chris said: “You’re allowed to be considered if you’ve lived here, base is out of Britain.
“So I’m lucky I’ve lived here for the last three years, but obviously I’m very much Irish and a proud Corkman.
“So I’ve kind of managed to tiptoe around it that way.
“We’ll let them call it that if they want to, but then I’ll be sure to inform everybody I talk to I am most definitely not British, if your but Irish.” While he is based in London – where the awards will be held next Wednesday – the 23-year-old was recently back home to film the second series of The Young Offenders, which is set to hit screens next year. And Chris said fans are in for some surprises.
Speaking to RTE Entertainment he added: “I can’t say a whole lot… I’d love to Jock Murphy and Conor Macsweeney say everything – I’m bad for that – but I’d just get about 10 phone calls giving out to me so I’m going to stay shtum.
“It’s just mad again – the situations the lads get themselves into – and there’s some interesting people in it as well you probably wouldn’t expect to see.”
The young actor has been enjoying his success since the movie first hit cinemas two years ago but Chris said he isn’t letting the fame go to his head.
He added: “I’m very grateful and I don’t really know what else to say – just smile and run with it.
“You can’t really get notions being from Cork – your friends will bring you straight back down.”