UK
In a major career breakthrough, young Bradford actress Isha Kaur Athwal has secured a leading role in CBBC’s eagerly anticipated comedy series, High Hoops. Set in Halifax, West Yorkshire, the show, which began filming in June and will continue through mid-August, explores the adventures of a girls’ basketball team at a secondary school.
Isha Balances Acting and Education
Isha, a Year 8 pupil at Bradford Grammar School (BGS), has temporarily relocated from her home in Idle, Bradford, to Halifax for the filming period. Accompanied by a chaperone and tutor, she skillfully balances her budding acting career with her educational commitments. She spends weekdays on set and returns home on weekends.
Twelve-year-old Isha expressed her excitement, saying, “Landing this role was exciting and another achievement to add to my CV. It’s nice to be involved in a project for an older audience.”
A Remarkable Journey from a Young Age
Isha’s acting journey began at just five years old. Over the years, she has built an impressive resume, appearing in feature films, advertisements, and the popular CBeebies program Biff, Chip and Kipper, where she portrayed Anneena. Represented by Yorkshire stage school and casting agency Articulate, she dedicates at least 12 hours a week to drama and dance around her studies at BGS.
Simon Hinchliffe, Headteacher at BGS, praised Isha’s accomplishments: “We are extremely proud of Isha’s accomplishments. She is a dedicated student who balances her academic and extracurricular commitments exceptionally well. Her role in High Hoops is a testament to her hard work and talent.”
A Diverse Portfolio of Roles
Isha landed her first on-screen role in the feature film The Runaways at the age of six. Her extensive work includes advertisements for Scruff-a-Luvs, Children in Need, Facebook Portal, and Morrisons. Additionally, she voiced Frankie the cat in the award-winning Pip and Posy animation on Channel 5.
Her mother, Raj Kaur, expressed pride in her daughter’s achievements: “I’m so proud of Isha. She takes her responsibilities—whether in the classroom, in front of the camera, or at home—seriously, all while having a great time. She’s been so excited about filming High Hoops since she was told she landed the role in February!”
High Hoops: An Exciting New Series
In High Hoops, Isha plays the role of Zara, the school basketball captain, whom she describes as “a bit nerdy with her own charm.” The 10-episode, 30-minute sitcom is written by Chris Grady and created by Sinead Fagan, a lifelong basketball player and coach. It features a stellar cast, including Peep Show’s Robert Webb and Isy Suttie.
The series revolves around the arrival of Aoife O’Neill, a tall, gaffe-prone, but unstoppable basketball player at a failing school. With themes of determination, finding your tribe, and being true to oneself, High Hoops chronicles Aoife’s journey as she attempts to turn around her new school’s lackluster basketball team.
Isha added, “It’s fantastic working with other great actors from all over the UK.”
