Carrick '˜extras'rub shoulderswith the stars

Two film and television '˜extras' have been helping to celebrate ten years of success as the '˜lifeblood' of the industry.

James Edlin, 38, from Carrick and Laurence Doherty, 46, from Greenisland, have both taken part in “Game of Thrones” and “The Fall”, scenes of which have been filmed in East Antrim.

James said: “I’ve loved working with everyone involved in The Extras Dept, a bunch of real friendly, and professional people. I couldn’t recommend them more.”

A spokesperson for the Extras Dept said: “James was bumped up to a cast role on Line of Duty when the director realised his potential.”

James has also gone on to work on set as a trainee assistant director, gaining work from the contacts he made while being an extra.

Laurence has been with The Extras Dept. since it began and has been described as “one of the company’s truly outstanding extras”.

He worked in IT for 19 years before becoming a full -time writer and has been an extra since 2002. To date, he has taken part in around 25 films and over 40 television programmes.

Laurence said: “One of the strangest things I ever had to do was try to dance an Irish jig in temperatures of minus 10 in a snow covered car park outside a pub in Ballynahinch. It was for the sci-fi movie ‘Grabbers’ and we were practising for a scene. Working on that film remains one of my favourite experiences on set.”

To mark the tenth anniversary, The Extras Dept has joined forceswith Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service to host a blood donationdrive at Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.