A young actor from Caernarfon has landed a starring role in a hard-hitting TV drama.

Nel Williams, 14, plays the part of football-loving Casi in the show Bex and BEXtra, which has been sold to Czech Republic broadcaster Česká televise.

The live-action show, created by Nia Ceidiog's award-winning production company Ceidiog, focuses on mental health issues affecting children.

Nel's character suffers from severe anxiety that has developed into a phobia of vomiting, known as emetophobia.

This becomes a potential barrier when she is offered a trial with Liverpool Football Club.

Nel, a pupil at Ysgol Syr Hugh Owen, said: "This was my first time acting on television.

"I had a lot of fun and learnt that making a programme was a long process.

"I was amazed at how many staff work on these programmes.

"I felt like a queen because I had a personal chaperone.

"It was a great experience even though there were a lot of lines to learn.

"I think it's really important to raise people's awareness of mental health and give children and young people the opportunity to talk openly about these issues."

Ms Ceidiog said: "The Bex and BEXtra programmes were challenging to make as we were looking at the myriad of difficulties which youngsters face.

"The first series was prepared during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and filming took place the following year when there were still restrictions in force.

"We had psychologists and other experts working with us throughout the making of Bex and BEXtra advising us about the issues portrayed in the programmes.

“The episodes are challenging but realistic and the conditions portrayed are serious but Bex and Pryderi bring hope to the children.

"We're delighted the two series have been picked up by the Czech broadcaster." 

She added: "Hopefully the audience in the Czech Republic will enjoy and appreciate the programmes and that they will be of some help for those who are themselves experiencing problems and difficulties in their lives."

Sioned Geraint, S4C's commissioner for children and learners, said: "Bex and BEXtra are truly ground-breaking in the way they deal with children's mental health, and have opened the door for family discussion about mental health, which is such an important thing.

"In many ways these themes are universal and I’m delighted that both series have been picked up by Česká televise and I feel sure they will be equally effective in getting these important messages across in a way that is both entertaining and informative."

Ebba Eriksson, the creative director of Videoplugger, said: "This series touches on such an important topic as mental health for kids and teens, it gives hands-on advice and will captivate young audiences.

"We are so happy to have worked on getting Bex and BEXtra to a broader audience."