Twins from a Rugby school feature alongside Charles Dance on latest season of The Crown

Two students from The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College have recently appeared alongside veteran actor Charles Dance on award-winning Netflix TV show The Crown.

Year 11, twin brothers Evan and Brandon Whitt attended auditions in London and went on to play Timothy and Nicholas Knatchbull - the grandchildren the Queen's cousin Lord Louis Mountbatten, who is played by Charles Dance.

The twins’ scenes set in Sligo, Ireland, mirror real life events and end in tragedy as the fishing boat they are travelling on is the target of an IRA bomb attack in which Lord Mountbatten was assassinated.

The attack, which took place in 1979, left Nicholas Knatchbull, along with local boy Paul Maxwell and the Dowager Lady Brabourne, all dead.

During the week-long filming process, which took place in Scotland, Evan and Brandon spent time rehearsing, learning their lines and shooting their scenes multiple times to capture the perfect take.

When not filming, the boys also had chance to spend time with the other actors cast in their scenes.

Brandon also met Olivia Colman, who plays Queen Elizabeth II in seasons thee and four, as he filmed some additional scenes.

Headteacher Alison Davies said, “This has been a wonderful achievement for Evan and Brandon, who are both keen actors, and were attracted to our school because of our performing arts status.

"We’ve known about their appearance in The Crown for some time, but have had to keep it under wraps until it premiered this month.

"Both boys are currently studying hard for their upcoming exams whilst keeping their eyes open for further acting opportunities.”