When Aberdeen actress Layla Kirk was offered a role in the new series of Granite Harbour, it was an easy ‘yes’.
The 29-year-old was brought up in the north-east and is incredibly proud that her home town plays perhaps the most important character of the hit BBC crime drama.
She told The Press and Journal that the gig was a dream job even though she didn’t get a chance to film in Aberdeen, with her role shot in Glasgow.
“I thought signing up for Granite Harbour I would get to go back up to Aberdeen and also see my family,” she said.
“But it was still a really good shoot, especially with everyone knowing each other from season one.”
‘Surreal seeing castmates walk down Union Street’
Appearing in two episodes playing new character Ruth, Layla said she was able to put her yearning for home aside for what was an incredibly “fun” shoot.
The new series starts on Friday.
“Filming the show went really well – everyone on the cast was so friendly,” she said.
“For my part I was actually away down in Glasgow. But that’s the thing about anywhere in Scotland – everyone is just so lovely.
“It was so funny seeing the guys like Romario [Simpson] from the show on places such as Union Street and also the beach.
“It was a shame I couldn’t go up, because for sure I would’ve shown them all the typical places.”
Layla’s Paris switch
Layla also revealed details about her upbringing in the Granite City and about her new part-time gig in Paris.
“I lived in Aberdeen for over 20 years. I did an editing course at North East College, to get a flavour for acting – but I moved to London after that and eventually Paris where I am now,” she explained.
“I’m teaching English here now so that’s what I do when I’m not acting.
“It’s on a freelance basis, and I can have classes of 28 kids so it’s a bit crazy.
“But to be honest I am excited for my next acting gig because it has been hectic lately.”
Once an Aberdonian…
Despite loving the sights and sounds of the French capital, Layla couldn’t hide her homesickness for the Granite City.
She said: “I miss Irn-Bru and I miss the people, people that really smile – not that they don’t do that here.
“I miss being able to just talk to someone randomly in a café – and I never thought that I would ever say that.
“People are really friendly in Scotland and I almost forgot that. I’ll always be like that.
“I’m hoping to be back up in Aberdeen for the summer with a new acting job – so that’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
Season two of Granite Harbour airs on Friday May 3 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
Series one is also available for catch-up on iPlayer.
Conversation