A first look at a new BBC Three and Netflix horror series set and filmed in Bolton has been released as the young cast is unveiled.
Created by Bolton-born twins, Michael and Paul Clarkson – best known for their work on See, and The Haunting Of Bly Manor – Red Rose is an eight-part original horror series that “explores the intoxicating relationship between teenagers and their online lives”, and it is set to air on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer in the UK, and on Netflix across the world.
After filming took place in Bolton in 2021 and 2022, the BBC has finally released first look images of the new series and unveiled the long-awaited cast list.
The cast of Red Rose includes a number of young rising stars, such as Amelia Clarkson, Isis Hainsworth, Ali Khan, Ellis Howard, and Ashna Rabheru, as well as celebrated actors Adam Nagaitis, Natalie Gavin, and Samuel Anderson, and exciting newcomers making their television debuts – Harry Redding, currently playing Jem Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird in the West End, and Laurence Olivier Bursary-winner, Natalie Blair.
Some of the cast’s credits include appearances on The Last Kingdom, Poldark, Sex Education, Chernobyl, Doctor Who, Catherine The Great, and so much more.
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Red Rose is set and filmed in Bolton, and will air on BBC Three in the UK and Netflix across the world / Credit: BBC / Netflix
Red Rose is produced by multi-award-winning production company, Eleven (Sex Education, Glue, The Enfield Haunting), directed by Ramon Salazar, whose credits include the highly-successful Spanish Netflix show, Elite, as well as Henry Blake, Lisa Siwe, and casting by Kharmel Cochrane.
A plot synopsis for the series on the BBC website reads: “Set in the long hot summer following GCSEs, our heroes’ friendships are infiltrated by the Red Rose app, which blooms on their smartphones, threatening them with dangerous consequences if they don’t meet its demands.
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“The app exposes the group to a seemingly supernatural entity and the seductive, terrifying power of the dark web.
“Red Rose is ultimately a story of friendship, told through the prism of a classic horror-thriller.”
🌹 One long hot summer after GCSEs, a friendship group is infiltrated by the Red Rose app, which blooms on their smartphones, threatening them with dangerous consequences if they don’t meet its demands…
First-look images & cast of @BBCThree's new 8-part horror #RedRose here👇
Speaking ahead of the release of the new series, The Clarkson Twins said: “We are thrilled with the talented cast that we’ve assembled in Red Rose.
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“They have so brilliantly captured the spirit of the North with their nuanced, devastating and hilarious performances [and] we can’t wait for the rest of the world to fall in love with them, just as we have.
“They’re doing Bolton – and us – proud.”
Nawfal Faizullah – Executive Producer for the BBC – added: “We are delighted that Michael and Paul’s fantastic scripts have attracted such a brilliant cast of rising stars, and we’re sure audiences will love this gang of misfits as they fight to survive Red Rose.”
No official release dates for the new series have been announced as of yet by the BBC and Netflix, so viewers will have to keep their eyes peeled.
A brand-new immersive ‘walking theatre’ and XR experience has landed in Greater Manchester
Danny Jones
We hear the word immersive thrown around a lot these days, but if the notion of walking through some of your favourite fantasy and sci-fi worlds in a state-of-the-art XR tour doesn’t fit the definition, we don’t know what does.
Get ready to pull on a headset and be dropped into a different universe, Mancs.
This is Immersia XR: an industry-leading immersive entertainment and XR (extended reality) experience has just been unveiled right here in Greater Manchester.
Anyone for a ride on a magic carpet?
Credit: The Manc GroupCredit: Immersia XR (supplied)
Immersia XR specialises in what they call ‘Walking XR Theatre – a new term for a new kind of experience’, and boasts big plaudits across the board, with an average Google rating of 4.8 from dozens of reviews already.
Having just made its Manchester debut to the public at Trafford Palazzo (located right next to 0161’s famous Trafford Centre) this summer, the new addition brings cutting-edge technology blended with iconic family-favourite tales in an “unforgettable walk-through format.”
A lucky few have been treated to our first time, including us here at The Manc, and you’ll have to take our word for it when we tell you it’s a truly incredible experience.
It’s the first of its kind in the UK and Europe, and although there are other similar VR and AR offerings around the region, you won’t find anything quite like ‘walking theatre’ and this free-roam experience.
Credit: Supplied
As you can see above, there are a number of experiences to be enjoyed right from the off, including two modes inspired by childhood classics, Alice in Wonderland and Tales of Aladdin.
Ever fancied trying your hand as an astronaut and walking on the surface of the moon as you look back at the Earth below? Course you have! No training involved in this one, either.
Take that, Katy Perry, you can keep your short-lived Blue Origin nonsense to yourself.
Immersia XR’s ambition doesn’t stop there, though, as they are also preparing to introduce the exciting new ‘Terracotta Army’ experience in the near future.
Here’s a glimpse at how it looks inside the goggles:
Already open to the public and running up until Sunday, 6 July 2025, Immersia XR is fun for all ages, with kid-friendly zones and accessible narratives built into the experience.
Best of all, there are actually very few bells and whistles; no screens, no controllers – it’s just you walking through the story of your choice.
Immersia XR’s founder, Ian Xiang, said: “We’re not just launching a new attraction—we’re pioneering the future of storytelling. Walking XR Theatre is where cinema, theatre, and technology converge to create magic. You don’t just watch the story—you walk through it.”
Tickets are on sale now, with adult prices starting from only £17, children (ages 3–15) from just £12, and family tickets (2 adults, 2 kids) from £54. Great value for money.
Concession tickets are also available for students and over-65s, priced from £16, and group bookings of 10 or more receive 10% off. You can even get 20% off all ticket types with the early bird code: PRESS20. You can grab yours HERE.
5 Easter foods that are toxic to dogs and what to do if they eat them
Emily Sergeant
With Easter upon us, and households nationwide tucking into a feast of chocolate treats and festive leftovers, we need to make sure we keep an eye on those food vacuums.
And by food vacuums, we of course mean our four-legged friends.
We all know that a lot of themed foods and sugary goodness tends to get consumed over the Easter period, and with so much to make your way through, it can be tempting to treat your dogs to some of the leftovers.
But did you know that some common Easter foods can actually make them seriously ill? This is why it’s so important to know which ones should be avoided.
Whilst it’s perfectly fine to offer your pooch small snacks in moderation, there’s lots of foods around at this time of year that your dog may help themselves to if they aren’t stored away, and many of them are extremely toxic – so pet expert and founder of Yappy.com, John Smith, has highlighted which are dangerous for our dogs, what to do if they do consume them, and some of the safer choices to dogs as a well-deserved treat.
Here’s five Easter foods that are toxic to dogs.
Did you know that some common Easter foods can actually make dogs seriously ill? / Credit: Pxfuel
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is obviously one of the most popular treats to find in homes during Easter, but it contains a chemical called theobromine, which is seriously harmful to dogs, and this means that eating even a small amount of chocolate can have serious consequences and result in symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death in some serious cases.
2. Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns are another delicious Easter food that should be kept far away as most contain dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas, and currants, which are toxic to dogs.
The reasons behind why these fruits are toxic is a bit of a mystery, as some dogs have eaten large amounts of dried fruit without feeling unwell, whereas others have become unwell after eating just a small amount – but John says it’s “definitely best to err on the side of caution” and make your own buns using a vet-approved dog-friendly recipe that you can enjoy together as a family without fear.
3. Cooked Bones
Cooked bones come with serious health risks for dogs.
Although they aren’t poisonous, they’re prone to splitting when gnawed and chewed, and this can lead to bone fragments getting stuck in their throats – which can result in choking.
4. Bulb Vegetables
Bulb vegetables are a roast dinner essential, but those such as onions and garlic can cause nasty stomach upsets for dogs, and in some cases, can even cause red blood cell damage, so it’s better to keep them on your plate and out of your pets’ mouths.
5. Meat Skin
It may be tempting to give your dog skin from the leftover chicken, or a fatty piece of meat – but this is far too rich for their tummies, and in some of the worst cases, it can cause inflammation of their pancreas.
Properly-cooked boneless pieces of chicken added to their dog food bowl is a better way to involve them in the Easter fun without risking their health.
Chocolate and hot cross buns are just some of the Easter foods toxic to dogs / Credit: Pexels & FreeImages
What should I do if my pet has eaten something it shouldn’t have?
Even if your pet has only eaten a small amount of these foods, it’s important to do the following:
Call the vet straight away – Don’t wait for your pet to start showing symptoms. A vet will be able to offer advice, and the quicker you act, the better chance your pet will have of recovery.
Note the time and quantity of food ingested – Provide the vet with as much information as you can. This includes the time your pet ate the unsafe food, brand names, the ingredient list and how much you think they consumed.
Don’t try to make your pet sick – Attempting this can cause further health complications. Leave this to your vet, as they are trained to do this in a safe manner.
John adds that dog owners should “keep any dangerous Easter foods well out of paws reach in a high cupboard”, and check that floors are “clear of toxic food scraps” that children may have dropped during Easter egg hunts and parties.
Emily Sergeant -
31st May 2022 
