A young Bradford actor is preparing to become a household name after landing a starring role in a new television drama being hailed as the British answer to the X-Files.

Andrew Lee Potts, 23, has spent the past few years travelling the world making films and television dramas, working with some top names.

His latest venture is new BBC1 drama Strange, starting on Saturday.

Starring alongside Samantha Janus, Richard Coyle and Ian Richardson, Andrew plays Toby, a computer hacker who provides much of the comedy.

"He's a sidekick to Richard Coyle's character, Strange," said Andrew.

"Some might call him a geek but I think he's more laddish. I was nervous doing a comic role because I've done mainly serious stuff in the past.

"And Richard Coyle was such a hit in (BBC2 comedy) Coupling that I felt a bit daunted.

"But it's a great relationship, with lots of comic banter. The show is a bit X-Files, a bit Buffy and a bit Angel - with very British humour. It's a kind of sci-fi whodunnit that will appeal to all ages.

"The BBC has put a lot of money into it, it's a really brave move.

"Think BBC sci-fi and you tend to think of Dr Who so I was a bit worried about the quality of the special effects - but I was astonished at how good they are.

"Tom Baker, a former Dr Who, is in the series. We're hoping for the same kind of cult following that programmes like Dr Who and Star Trek got."

Starring in a prime time Saturday evening drama is set to boost Andrew's profile - he's also done a glamorous photo-shoot of hot new acting talent for OK! Magazine - and he's bracing himself for more recognition.

"I've done a lot of independent films so I haven't had that kind of exposure before," he said.

"But I don't want to go all "prime time." I love the intimacy you get with independent films, the team spirit and sense of achievement. I want to continue taking on versatile roles."

He would also like to do more theatre, having launched his career in a production of Macbeth with Pete Postlethwaite.

"It toured for five months and that was like my drama school," said Andrew.

"When it came to Bradford's Alhambra I was spotted by casting directors, which led to my film career."

Originally from Wibsey, Bradford, where his family still lives, Andrew attended Scala performing arts school in Bradford and appeared in programmes such as Heartbeat, Emmerdale and The Biz.

Last year he was in BBC wartime drama Night Flight, with Edward Woodward and Christopher Plummer, and he has appeared in Steven Spielberg's acclaimed Band of Brothers TV series. In 2001 Andrew was awarded Best Young Newcomer at the Toronto Film Festival for his role in horror film The Bunker.

His other credits include films Joyriders, with former EastEnders actor Paul Nichols, and The Poet starring Dougray Scott, to be released later this year.

Andrew also plays Nero in a new film about Boedacia starring ER actress Alex Kingston.

"I was the baddie of the film - not bad for a boy from Bradford!" he laughed.

Strange, a six-part series, starts on Saturday on BBC1 at 9.05pm.