Lenny Rush Stars in Eric Morecambe's Reluctant Vampire on BBC

Who is Lenny Rush?

Lenny Rush is a teenage actor from England who works in comedy and drama. His first name is Lenny, his middle name is Anthony, and his family name is Rush ⁴. News reports in autumn 2026 describe him as 17 and from a small town in Essex called Burnham-on-Crouch ¹.

Many viewers first noticed him in a comedy drama called Am I Being Unreasonable? That programme was made with Daisy May Cooper ⁴. His work there earned him a top British TV prize for comedy acting ⁴. In plain terms, a BAFTA is a major UK award for film and television.

He has also acted in shows for younger viewers on CBBC, including Dodger and The Dumping Ground ⁴. Other screen jobs have included Slow Horses and Doctor Who ¹. Awards groups have singled him out as a new talent. He received a new talent prize at the National Comedy Awards in 2023, plus two honours at the television industry RTS awards that same year ⁴.

More recently, he has filmed work linked to Harry Potter. The BBC reports that he played Dobby the house-elf for a new HBO Harry Potter production, with filming at Leavesden in Hertfordshire during 2026 ¹. Dobby is a small magical helper first seen in the Harry Potter books and films.

Why are people talking about him now?

People are searching for his name because he is the lead in a new BBC comedy. The programme is called The Reluctant Vampire ³. TV guides listed it for the evening of early October 2026 and pointed to Rush as the main star ². One UK comedy guide made it its pick of the week ³.

There is also a wider story behind the show. It comes from books written by Eric Morecambe, who was famous as one half of the double act Morecambe and Wise ¹. His son, Gary Morecambe, spent many years trying to turn the books into television ¹. Gary says that asking Rush to take the central role in 2022 helped the plan move forward at last ¹.

Rush has described the programme in warm terms, calling it, in his words, "funny, heartwarming and fun" ³. That short comment has been repeated in listings. For readers who do not follow TV news closely, the key point is simple. A well known young actor is fronting a family show with a famous name behind it.

What is The Reluctant Vampire about?

The Reluctant Vampire is made as a sitcom for the whole family. A sitcom is a short comedy with the same characters each week. This one mixes everyday family life with vampire stories ³. The scripts were prepared by two brothers, Neil Gibbons and Rob Gibbons, who earlier wrote for the comic character Alan Partridge ¹.

Rush plays the central teenager. The character uses the short name Val, and the full name Valentine ¹². Val believes he belongs to a vampire family. He worries because he is not good at being a vampire ¹. He does not feel the thirst for blood that stories say vampires should feel ².

The plot then gives a gentle twist. His mother explains that there is a simple reason for this. He is not a vampire at all. He is human ¹². The mother is played by Sian Clifford ². She wants her son to keep this fact from his father ².

The father is played by Tom Davis ². In the story he is a kind but disappointed dad, and also a vampire king ². So Val faces a tricky double life. He must act like the next in line for a vampire throne while hiding that he is human ². Other cast members named in listings include Charlie Cooper and Asim Chaudhry ³.

How can you watch it and what does it mean for you?

For a normal viewer, this is an early evening family option. Listings put it on BBC One at 6:40pm ³. That slot is often used for programmes that children, parents and grandparents can watch together. The same listings said every episode was already open to stream on iPlayer ³. iPlayer is the BBC's free catch-up service.

You do not need to know the old books or the old comedy act to enjoy it. The idea is told in clear steps. A teen learns a family secret. He tries to fit in. He tries to keep the secret safe ². If you like soft humour with a touch of fantasy, it may suit your home. Fantasy here just means a made-up world with vampires and kings.

As of October 5, 2026, it is presented as new entertainment, not as news you must act on. Viewing times and iPlayer access can change, so check current BBC listings for the latest details ³. If you want age advice or episode notes, the BBC programme page is the best official place to look.