Martin Clunes takes on the role of Nathan Williams in ITV’s new hard-hitting drama, Out There, which delves into the grim reality of county lines drug dealing. His on-screen teenage son, Johnny Williams, is portrayed by actor Louis Ashbourne Serkis.
Out There tells the story of a farmer whose land and family are under threat from county lines drug dealers – urban gangs exploiting the British countryside as their operational base, moving drugs and money between city centres and rural areas.
Following the tragic death of his mother, Johnny becomes entangled in the county lines network, while Nathan grapples with a relentless cycle of work and grief.
As a devoted father, Nathan must confront the challenge of safeguarding his farm and community from the looming danger of the drug operations.
Off-screen, 20 year old Louis Ashbourne Serkis is the son of actors Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne. He is best known for his role as the Young Hatter in Alice Through the Looking Glass and has also made appearances in The Queen’s Gambit and No Return.
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Out There stars Louis Ashbourne Serkis and Martin Clunes (Image: ITV)
Louis landed his first major film role at just eight years old, playing a young Hobbit in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012, a film that also featured his father Andy, famed for his portrayal of Gollum in Lord of the Rings, reports the Mirror.
Andy Serkis is a familiar face in , having starred in King Kong, The Batman, Black Panther and as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot series, and Star Wars – among many other roles.
Lorraine Ashbourne is Louis’s mum and a familiar face from The Bill and Casualty, Recently captivated audiences in ITV’s After the Flood as Molly Marshall and is also celebrated for her roles in Alma’s Not Normal and Playing the Field.
Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne are parents to Louis Ashbourne Serkis. (Image: Jo Hale/WireImage)
Bridgerton fans will recognise Lorraine as Mrs Valley, and Sherwood viewers will know her as Daphne Sparrow. s
Speaking about his upbringing in a household of actors, Louis expressed gratitude towards his parents for not pressuring him into the profession.
In conversation with The Express about the premiere of Out There, Louis shared his innate love for television and storytelling, though he couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment he knew acting was his destiny.
He remarked: “I was never obliged to take part in what they do and they never forced it on me and said ‘this is what your going to do’.
Louis Ashbourne Serkis is staring as Johnny in new drama Out There (Image: ITV)
But I love it, I have always loved entertaining and bringing joy through that. I think if you get the opportunity to tell a story and to inspire people I think you should take it.”
He further elaborated on his journey to becoming an actor, saying: “I don’t think there was one moment where I thought ‘this is it’, I think it was an accumulation, I think being exposed to it but also loving it, just loving films I love storytelling.
“I was young and in a way stumbled into acting, and tried it when I was around seven or eight. Then as you get older you kind of think ‘this is great’.”
Actors Lorraine Ashbourne, Andy Serkis and Louis Ashbourne Serkis (Image: Joe Maher/Getty Images)
Louis sweetly added: “I can’t believe you can do this for a job, It’s an ability to make a difference. To be able to play someone and hopefully give someone an experience where they can be like ‘I can relate to you’.”
“I heard someone say recently on a podcast that resonated with me, watching a television or a film is the only space for two hours where you can literally be disconnected from everything that you’re doing.”
“It’s really special to me, I love TV and I love to watch it.”
Out There airs on Sunday at 9pm on ITV and ITVX