Prodigious rocker Nandi Bushell makes her acting debut on an episode of the BBC show Andy and the Band, and she’s joined by music royalty: Queen guitarist Brian May.
The children’s comedy program is based around a fictional band, Andy and the Odd Socks, and its ongoing adventures on Planet Rock. In this particular episode, “Planet Rock is in distress due to a lack of pure, honest rock music coming from Earth,” per the BBC’s description. The Godfather of Rock (played by May) is concerned, but his Goddaughter Emerald (played by Bushell) beats him to the punch and sets off for Earth.
The strife culminates with a fateful Battle of the Bands competition, and at one point, the Queen guitarist and Nandi get to show off their musical skills together, with May on the axe and Nandi laying down an epic drum fill. Nandi shared a behind-the-scenes clip of her jam with May, with the two recording their part in front of a green screen.
“I have never performed a speaking acting role before so playing Emerald in Andy and the Band was the perfect first role for me,” Bushell told the BBC. “Working with Brian May was a dream come true! He is genuinely one of the nicest people I have ever met. He let me play his guitar and gave me a few lessons when we were on set and made me feel really special.”
Nandi appears in the first episode of the newly released third season of Andy and the Band, which is currently available for UK audiences via BBC’s iPlayer.
Below you can view the behind-the-scenes clip with Brian May, which also shows the Queen legend giving Nandi some guitar tips.