Actor Taylor-Mai Munday from Ashurst ‘proud’ to appear in BBC One show Best Interests featuring Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan

A YOUNG actor from the New Forest has spoken of her excitement at appearing in a BBC drama which highlights disability.

Taylor-Mai Munday (12), from Ashurst, who has cerebral palsy, features in Best Interests, a four-part programme which also stars Michael Sheen and Sharon Horgan.

The Hounsdown School pupil was chosen to play the part of Marnie, whose parents – played by Sheen and Horgan – are fighting to keep their 13-year-old daughter alive against medical advice.

Taylor-Mai appears in flashback episodes of Marnie as a youngster, while another actress plays the older version in other scenes.

The show, which aired on BBC One earlier this month, is also available on iPlayer.

Taylor-Mai told the A&T: “I auditioned when I was nine years old – it seems ages ago now.

“We didn't hear anything back, so I assumed that I had not got the part.

“Then a year later and completely out of the blue, I was asked to audition again. This time I was given the part of younger Marnie.”

She said she was “very excited” about the role, particularly when she discovered Sheen and Horgan were cast as her parents.

She added: “Having a disability myself, I was proud to play a part in this story about a young girl with muscular dystrophy.

“Working in a studio and on location was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again.”

Taylor-Mai, who attends Shine Performing Arts and is represented by the SPA Agency, added: “For anyone thinking of going into the film industry, I would say do it. It was brilliant.”

June Young, who runs the drama school, said she was “so proud” of Taylor-Mai, who has been attending since she was seven years old.

She told the A&T: “I could not believe that a year after she first auditioned for the role she was asked to do another and was successful.

“This production has been so long coming as it was interrupted by Covid-19, so we have waited a long time for it.

“I am so pleased for Taylor-Mai as she is such a sweet girl and I think the world of her.”

She added: “I am so proud after seeing her performance and I am sure that this is the start of wonderful things to come for her.

“I do hope that this will enhance her profile and that she will be able to secure another role in the near future.”

She added: “The SPA Agency, which is attached to the drama school, has many talented children, and even though we have had children featured as supporting actors in commercials and television productions, this is the first leading role.”