Chahak Patel – Najid
Considering he's playing a boy left alone when his family is wiped out by the virus, Chahak Patel has taken his first major TV role very much in his young stride.
The 13-year-old Londoner plays Najid, an orphaned Muslim who forms a touching and at times funny friendship with fellow survivor Al Sadiq (Phillip Rhys).
Despite the traumatic situation in which Najid finds himself, Chahak insists: "Nothing in the series disturbed me – it's made me a better person because it makes you think about what you'd do if this really happened.
"I'd not done much [acting] before, so everything has been amazing, and none of the challenges have been too much for me because everyone has been so helpful and supportive, especially Phil."
Al is initially reluctant to take responsibility for Najid who, in some ways, is wiser and more grown up than the self-absorbed playboy.
"If Najid hadn't met Al, he'd just be a kid alone in a world where he has no-one," says Chahak. "The harsh reality is he would probably have ended up dying.
"But Al comes along and they stick together, I think they help each other really and that's what makes us move on through the series."
Arsenal fan Chahak was even confident enough to suggest the odd script change here and there when he felt it was needed.
"There was one scene where I was supposed to leave my backpack in the car, but Najid would never do that," he explains.
"In the first episode, the stuff he puts in it is all he's got left of his old life, so it's really important to him and he would never forget it."
Chahak is hoping Survivors is just the start of the career that he's set his heart on.
"Since I was nine or 10, I've wanted to act. I love watching movies, everything about acting, so I guess this is a dream come true for me. I couldn't wish for anything better."
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