Bradford actress has a major role in a new TV adaptation of Yorkshire saga South Riding, largely filmed in the district.

Charlie Clark, 16, of Shipley, joined fellow cast members David Morrissey and John Henshaw at a screening of the drama at the National Media Museum. Also attending was acclaimed screenwriter Andrew Davies, who has adapted the three-part series from Winifred Holtby’s novel, described as a 20th century classic.

South Riding, also starring Anna Maxwell-Martin, Penelope Wilton and Bradford actor Peter Firth, is a rich, panoramic portrait of a Yorkshire community during the 1930s Depression.

Filming took place at the Connaught Rooms in Manningham Lane, All Saints C of E Primary School in Little Horton, Saltaire village, Salts Mill, Keighley Town Hall and Gledstone Hall, West Morton.

Regional film agency Screen Yorkshire, a key partner of Bradford City of Film, provided crew and location support. And youngsters at Scala Performing Arts School in Horsforth appear in the drama.

Charlie, who went to Stage 84 as a child and is now at Intake Arts College in Bramley, plays poverty-stricken schoolgirl Lydia Holly whose education is in jeopardy when a family tragedy leads to her slipping through society’s safety net.

“I went to an acting workshop at West Yorkshire Playhouse and got an audition for South Riding. I had three auditions, then my mum rang to say I’d got the part. I couldn’t speak!” said Charlie, a former pupil at Windhill Primary School. “This is my first TV drama and I learned a lot about that period and how women were becoming more independent. Lydia lives in a shack and has to fight for her education.

“The cast made me really welcome and gave me lots of advice. My family and friends are so excited, we’re going to watch it together.”

South Riding, originally a TV series in 1974, is due on BBC1 this spring.