BBC's This Town 'my biggest gig yet' - says Derbyshire's Ben Rose

Ben Rose, from Ripley, plays Bardon Quinn in the new BBC drama

A Derbyshire actor who stars in the BBC drama This Town says it is a "really special series" to be part of.

Ben Rose, from Ripley, plays Bardon Quinn in the new drama that tells the story of a West Midlands band's formation against a backdrop of violence in 1981.

The six-episode series premiered on 31 March 2024.

On his "first big role", Rose said: "It feels really special being able to be part of an important story."

The characters decide to start a ska band, which became a "safe haven" while they faced issues with alcoholism and IRA presence during that period.

Rose's character, Quinn, is a guitar player who has a father who is an IRA member.

"He is a nice character that is faced with a lot of difficult choices to make", said Rose.

"It was hard to play him, and with this being my first job where I've had such a full arc where I'm in all six episodes.

"Every day was a new challenge, whether that was the acting side or the real playing of the instruments to record for the band scenes. All that was fun.

"One of the amazing things about this role is all about the Midlands. It feels really special being able to be part of an important story so close to home."

Ben Rose alongside his fellow cast members from the show

After living in Ripley all his life, Rose was asked by BBC News if he has found it hard to live in London to follow his dreams of being an actor.

Rose said: "Yes, it is. It feels like there is a pressure to live in London, especially for this kind of career.

"London is expensive, but I have been very lucky with this job, which has kept me from working behind a bar for a little while.

"I do love going back to Ripley to see my family when I can; the air quality and the change of pace is great compared to London."