YOUNG actor Rocco Haynes has won a Yorkshire Young Achievers Award - following in the footsteps of his older brother, who won it two years ago.
Ten-year-old Rocco - who has been in TV dramas such as All Creatures Great and Small and The A Word and is in upcoming Prince Naseem biopic Giant starring Pierce Brosnan - attends Bradford-based Articulate Drama School.
Rocco won the Young Achiever in the Arts award, recognising his acting talent and contribution to the arts. His brother, Austin, won the same category in 2022 when he was 14.
At the age of 10, Rocco has notched up an impressive amount of TV and film roles (Image: Emily Goldie Photography)
Rocco’s breakout role was in the Co-op’s award-winning Christmas advert in 2020; he and Austin played busking brothers raising spirits, after the pandemic year, by singing Oasis’ community anthem Round Are Way outside their local store. The youngster went on to play Billy Hardcastle in Sally Wainwright’s hit Gentleman Jack and has since appeared in TV dramas, including Wolfe, All Creatures Great and Small and Odd Squad.
His film roles include 2023 folk horror Starve Acre and Giant, about boxer Prince Naseem Hamed, starring Amir El-Masry and Pierce Brosnan. Austin is also in the film.
Rocco began acting aged four at Articulate Agency’s drama school. He is currently filming with an Oscar-winning director on a film due for release next year. His mum Gemma said: “We’re all so proud of Rocco. The TV and film industry can be incredibly tough, but Rocco continues to demonstrate resilience and tenacity, proving that anyone can achieve anything if they put in the hard work.”
Said Rocco: “I was so excited to be invited to the Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards and really pleased to find out I’d won. I’ve had so much fun on set and have worked with some amazing people.”
Articulate Agency, recognised as one of the best casting agencies in the country, specialises in securing significant acting roles for children and young adults in TV, film, commercials and radio. It works with the top UK and US casting directors, producers and show runners to secure high-profile roles.
The agency's talented young performers have appeared across all major TV networks, including Netflix, Sky, ITV, Channel 5 and BBC, as well as UK and US film studios.
It represents clients from across the UK, and is closely tied to the Articulate Drama School, providing younger clients with training in screen acting and accent skills.
Stacey Burrows, founder and director of Articulate Agency, said: “I am beyond proud of Rocco. His talent, dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence has set him apart. It’s truly inspiring to see him follow in Austin’s footsteps.”
Austin has had roles in Gentleman Jack, The Duke, starring Jim Broadbent and Dame Helen Mirren, and he played the lead role of Thomas in The Railway Children Return film with Jenny Agutter, Sir Tom Courtenay and Sheridan Smith. He was also in George Clooney’s film Boys in the Boat and Channel 4 drama Somewhere Boy.
The Yorkshire Young Achievers Awards honoured youngsters for their courage, commitment and talent across seven categories, including arts and sport. Organised by the Yorkshire Young Achievers Foundation, the annual event has raised more than £1.5m to support young people in the region.
Chairman Peter McCormick said: “The judges were impressed by Rocco’s catalogue of work, including some outstanding performances, together with the prospect of seeing him next year in a Hollywood film. Rocco has a great future ahead of him.”
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