MobLand star cast in Scotland-set BBC drama based on "raw and fearless" story

MobLand star Jakob James Smith has been cast in The Young Team, a Scotland-set BBC drama based on a "raw and fearless" story. Based on Graeme Armstrong’s novel of the same name, the six-part fictional BBC drama is directed by Paul McGuigan.

Smith stars as Alan ‘Azzy’ Williams and is joined on the cast by Connor Newall, Scot Greenan, Beinn Catchpole, David Russell, Mick Mack, Caiden Henderson-Brown, Lewis Ray and Jack Mooney.

Alongside the young cast, who form the titular group 'The YTP', are Kevin McKidd, who stars as the inspirational headteacher Mr McGiver, and Laura Fraser, who plays Azzy's long-suffering mum Angela.

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Set and filmed in North Lanarkshire, the synopsis reads: "Fifteen-year-old Azzy Williams and his pals roam the streets of Airdrie on a Friday night, bottles of tonic wine in hand and techno playing from tinny speakers.

"Azzy is ready. Ready to smoke, pop pills, drink wine and fight. He longs to become fully initiated into local gang – 'The YTP'. But when Azzy, determined to prove himself, makes a bold move, a brutal gang conflict ensues with Azzy very firmly at its heart."

Speaking about being cast as Azzy, Smith said: "I'm absolutely buzzing to be playing Azzy. He’s such a complex character and there’s so much in his story about friendship, belonging and trying to find your place. Getting to film in North Lanarkshire, where the story is rooted, makes it feel even more special. I can’t wait for people to meet Azzy and the rest of the Young Team."

Claire Mundell, founder, creative director and executive producer on the series, said: "Graeme’s extraordinary novel is raw, fearless and full of heart and we’re incredibly proud to be bringing this unapologetically Scottish story to the screen.

"Seeing such an exciting new generation of Scottish talent emerge alongside established names, and with Paul McGuigan at the helm, is so special."

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Harriet is a freelance news writer specialising in TV and movies at Digital Spy. 

A horror enthusiast, she joined Digital Spy after working on her own horror website, reviewing films and focusing largely on feminism in the genre. 

In her spare time, Harriet paints and produces mixed-media art. She graduated from the University of Kingston with a BA in fine art, where she specialised in painting. She also has an MA in journalism from Birkbeck University.