The actress wants to break the barriers of Down syndrome

Actress Bethany Asher has said she hopes her lead role in the new series of Sherwood will break down the barriers faced by other actors with Down syndrome.

The Nottinghamshire-set crime drama returns to BBC One on Sunday with Asher in a key storyline alongside stars including David Morrissey, Lesley Manville, David Harewood and Robert Lindsay.

Asher, from Burbage in Leicestershire, told BBC Radio Leicester that filming with the established star cast had been a “mind-blowing” experience.

He also thanked the series director, James Graham, for entrusting him with an important role.

“People don’t really expect much from me because I have Down syndrome, but James Graham trusted me with a brilliant story,” he said.

“I’ve always been told that people like me won’t make it very far, that they won’t be good enough and that they’ll end up in a tiny little box.

“It meant the absolute world.”

He said he hoped his role would encourage other directors to cast actors with Down syndrome.

Asher plays Stephie, the sister of Ryan Bottomley, a young man who has committed a terrible crime and has become “lost in the system”, according to Derby actor Oliver Huntingdon, who plays him.

He said he couldn’t reveal too many details, but promised viewers would be “very surprised” by what would happen.

“It was amazing to be part of such a professional cast,” Asher added.

“I had seen the first season of Sherwood and couldn’t believe it when I got the part.

“Everyone was amazing and I really felt like part of the team.”

Asher began acting in 2018 and this was his first major role.

“She never looked back,” her mother Bekki said.

“With Sherwood, this was the first time he was entrusted with such a big story that he really was given autonomy to do.

“They had a vision and that allowed Bethany, as an actress, to do something pretty wonderful.”

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