Burnistoun star Kirsty Strain set for new series

Feb 1 2011 By Carla Callaghan

Glasgow-born actress Kirsty Strain who stars in popular sketch show Burnistoun, can’t wait to unleash the new series to the show’s adoring fans.

Portraying a varied selection of comedy roles in the programme, Kirsty has become a firm favourite in the show and has truly shone as a comedy actress.

Growing up in Glasgow’s East End, Kirsty (30)  was bitten by the acting bug from an early age and credits her love of the stage and screen to her beloved grandfather.

With her first step in the acting world underway after joining The Scottish Youth Theatre, Kirsty's career has blossomed since.

Incorporating a mix of different genres into her impressive portfolio, the actor has starred in Scottish favourite Taggart, worked on Independent projects and appears in feature length film, ‘Laid Off’  (out this year) starring alongside Torchwood star, Burn Gorman.

After three years in New York, where Kirsty trained at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, she came back to Glasgow to concentrate on other projects.

Landing a lead role in Burnistoun seen her turn her skills to comedy acting – something which she has been given great reviews for in the series. Returning to our screens in just a few months, Kirsty is looking forward to the new episodes being aired.

She said: "I'm really looking forward to the second series being back in everyone's living room in the spring. No official date has been announced but it's looking likely that it will screen at the beginning of April.

“The audience reaction screenings have gone very well and the support the show has received is so lovely.

“I hope that everyone who enjoyed the first series will welcome the second one even more and that those viewers who are new to the show will enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it."

Kirsty added: "Burnistoun is really an ensemble cast, led by Robert Florence and Iain Connell (who are also the writers of the show) and I'm very lucky to share the female roles with Louise Stewart, who is terrific.

“There are about six of us that make up the core cast with a few other regular cast members and it feels very much like a wee Burnistoun family."

Her debut role in Taggart in the summer of 2009 was a personal highlight of the actor’s career, as well as being able to work in New York.

She said: "Appearing in Taggart was certainly a goal of mine to work on the show and it did lead to other things. Burnistoun has also been an amazing opportunity and led to other projects."

“I absolutely loved my time in New York and the experience that it gave me. There are similarities to Glasgow in that it is a very strong and vibrant city and I especially loved every minute of my training at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, as well as the opportunity to work and learn form certain key people.

“When it came to making the decision as to where I wanted to build my career however; I was very intrigued and motivated by projects closer to home.

Kirsty added: “Although I would definitely return to New York for specific roles that appealed to me and I will always have an attachment to the city, you'll have to call me Dorothy cause, 'There's no place like home'.

For more information on Burnistoun, please visit www.connellandflorence.com