What do Glasgow’s own Freya Mavor and fellow Scots actress Ashley Jensen, plus two James Bonds, Doctor Who and a handful of Downton Abbey stars have in common?

They are all alumni of the world’s longest-running youth arts organisation, the National Youth Theatre, which is recruiting for new members in Glasgow in February.

Skins actress Freya; Daniel Craig and Timothy Dalton, who went on to play 007; Matt Smith, who was The Doctor before Peter Capaldi; and Downton stars Hugh Bonneville and Daisy Lewis all speak highly of the organisation which first set them on the road to fame.

For Daisy, who played outspoken teacher Sarah Bunting in the globally successful period drama Downton Abbey, the NYT was the “best place in the world.”

“For the first time in my life, I was amongst people who were just as passionate and intelligent and devoted as I wanted to be,” she says, earnestly.

“I met people from all corners of the country, all races, all accents and I was accepted for who I was, on my own merits.”

Daisy adds: “I found empathy and inspiration and lifelong friends, and I learned how to be a grown up.”

It’s hard to imagine, looking at the successful and glamorous actress, producer and director who now hits the headlines for everything from her boyfriends to her yoga poses, that she once lacked confidence in herself.

“I was awkward and ginger and not pretty in the slightest – I was never the first girl the boys asked out and I knew it, and I felt it,” she recalls.

“I grew up in a small village in Dorset, my family was nothing to do with the film or theatre industry and although I loved the idea of acting, I didn’t think for a second I could ever do it for a career.”

She laughs out loud.

“To do something I love this much and get paid for it? I didn’t think that was a possibility.”

Daisy joined the NYT at the age of 15, on her second attempt, and went along every summer until she was 22.

“I didn’t get in the first time, because they didn’t think I was quite ready for it,” she explains.

“That was fine – I mean, I cried a lot at the time, but it was good for me to learn you can’t expect to get what you want the first time every time.”

She studied literature at King’s College and took on tutoring roles to earn a living but her dream was to break in to acting.

“My parents wouldn’t pay for drama school, although they helped out with the train fare to London for my NYT audition, so I knew I had to make it work,” she smiles.

“And it was incredible.

“The NYT is the best place imaginable – it’s taken me to 1940s England and the moon and I’ve performed on the west end stage.

“I’d love to perform on stage in Glasgow – I’ve only been to the city once, on my way to a holiday on the isle of Eriskay and I was so car sick after the long drive up from Dorset.

“I remember getting out of the car in Glasgow and vomiting all over the place…..”

Being part of the Downton Abbey phenomenon was an exhausting, joyful whirlwind, Daisy says.

“I absolutely loved playing Sarah, she was the kind of character who shook things up and spoke her mind,” says Daisy.

“I love characters with strong beliefs – it’s great to play complicated women.”

She laughs: “It was hard being utterly terrified you’re going to be rubbish in front of Dame Maggie Smith, of course, but apart from that, it was amazing.”

While Downton was Daisy’s big break, the 31-year-old has a string of successful roles under her belt, including TV appearances on Doctor Who and Lewis, starring alongside Michael Gambon and Lindsay Duncan in Churchill’s Secret.

She has also produced two short films, Snap Shot and The Door, which starred Charles Dance, and plans to turn her hand to directing and writing.

“Nothing is off limits,” she says, firmly.

“You have to do it all. People think acting is easy and glamorous – utter rubbish.

“The dresses are borrowed, the jewels are fake and every actor lives in a state of terror he or she is never going to work again after the current job finishes.

“But if you really love something, none of that puts you off. You just keep coming back for more.

“People see the end results of acting without really understanding what often goes on behind the scenes just to get there.

“I have been really lucky, touch wood, and it is all down to the NYT. They gave me the opportunity to make a living out of doing what I love.”

NYT alumni populate other worlds too, as Daisy explains.

“They teach you so much that helps whatever you decide to do in later life, whether you want to stick to acting or become a nurse or a lawyer,” she says.

“They teach you how to be passionate and good at what you do, help you learn all kinds of skills, build up your confidence, encourage you to work out how to deal with problems.”

The year ahead holds more excitement for Daisy, although she won’t reveal exactly what 2017 has in store.

“I have a very exciting project in the running but I can’t tell you what it is yet,” she says, apologetically.

“I want to do some more directing and oh, I’m writing a book too. It’s a thriller – I’m loving that experience.”

She jokes: “And in 2020 I might run for US President, as anyone can get that job, apparently.

“But seriously, I want to do everything – this industry is all about flying by the seat of your pants. But I have a wonderful job that I love, and that’s all down to NYT.”

NYT will be at Platform in Easterhouse in Glasgow on February 11, 12, 18 and 19 as part of its nationwide auditions for its training programme. It costs £46 to audition and you can find out more about what’s involved and how to prepare on the website www.nyt.org.uk