AN ACTOR from Deeside recently made his TV debut in an ITV crime drama.

The third series of ITV's hit show The Bay returned to the screen in January - with one North Wales born-and-bred actor making an appearance in the series.

Macaulay Cooper, originally from Connah's Quay, plays drug dealer Tyler Quinn in the six-part series.

During his time living in Deeside, the 27-year-old who now lives in Manchester, attended Golftyn primary and Connah's Quay High School.

He then went on to study at the college in west Cheshire in Ellesmere Port.

Having fallen in love with acting at a young age, Macaulay cites Jake Gyllenhaal, Gary Oldman, Heath Ledger, Joaquin Phoenix and Matthew McConaughey as actors he looks up to for inspiration.

Set in Morecambe, The Bay follows police officers as they untangle complex criminal cases while also trying to help the individuals caught up in them.

The new series stars the likes of Marsha Thomason and Daniel Ryan.

Talking to The Leader about his experiences of having worked on the show, Macaulay said: "Filming was amazing and the whole cast were extremely welcoming and easy going.

"My favourite bit was working with a fight choreographer on a certain scene, I’ve been training in Muay Thai for a few years now so got the chance to use that and learn some ‘screen combat’ skills!

"It’s always funny seeing myself acting in whatever it is I’m in. I think it’s exciting but I’m always watching for my performance and what I could have done better or what I did well and what I can take from the experience for my next role."

Although The Bay was Macaulay's first official TV acting gig, he has also previously appeared on the small screen in the past with the likes of Nike and McDonald's.

He added: "I was previously in the Nike 2014 World Cup commercial and a breakfast commercial for McDonald’s a few years ago now. I’ve been involved with a few different theatre projects including one at the Storyhouse in Chester too.

"I had always been involved with acting even from primary school. I loved old Clint Eastwood and old action films, but never took acting seriously until I got to college and started learning more about the craft. That’s when I got my first professional agent and my career basically started from there."

Macaulay is now working with people in Manchester on some new theatre projects, as well as his own projects.

He says he is hoping to start making his own work from this year onwards.

You can watch the new series of The Bay on ITV every Wednesday at 9pm or watch the full series on ITV Hub.