Smoggie Queens actor hails 'forgotten' talent
BBCA Teesside actor said the return of the award-winning comedy series Smoggie Queens demonstrates the ''amazing creative talent '' of the region.
Mark Benton, star of multiple feature films and television dramas, said it was a ''dream come true'' to return for another series filming in his home town of Middlesbrough.
He said: ''I always thought Teesside was overlooked. It was like there was a creative wasteland from York to Newcastle and that didn't really change until Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer came."
The majority of actors and filming crew working on the show are from the North East.
Benton's career went from Youth Theatre on Teesside to RADA and then on to the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Benton said: ''Years ago you had to leave the region to find TV work, but that's no longer the case.''
During filming for one scene he said he turned to fellow-actor Michael Hodgson and said: "Can you believe we were together at Kirby College at 16?
"Now all these years later we're back home filming in Middlesbrough - I just thank my lucky stars.''
It was written by RTS winner and BAFTA nominated Phil Dunning, another Middlesbrough native.
He promised the new series was ''bigger, bolder and even madder".
Dunning said he was delighted so many of the cast and crew had returned for the new series.
''That's really important because we want people from the North East to be the ones that benefit," he said.
"I know it feels really cheesy but we're like a family and get on so well.''
New additions to the show include BAFTA winning Monica Dolan and former football manager Chris Kamara and pundit Jeff Stelling.
Dunning said he was amazed they were able to attract such big names.
'' I was so delighted when those guys said yes, they're unbelievable.
"We do a football episode and I really wanted them in it - they're Boro legends.''
Smoggie Queens, series two, is available on BBCiPlayer and BBC Three on 14 May.
