A YOUNG Bankie has been cast in the remake of BAFTA-winning children’s adventure programme Raven.

Aisha Toussaint, who also stars as Jules Belmont in BBC’s River City, will play the title character in the children’s game show, a shape-shifting Scottish warrior who guides contestants through a mythical land with tasks and challenges along the way.

The original Raven first aired in 2002, with James Mackenzie in the title role, and ran until 2010.

The “re-imagining” of the programme has been created with a unique back-story for Aisha’s character and brand new mental and physical challenges for the contestants to overcome.

The 21-year-old told the Post: “I’m thrilled to have to opportunity. I’m so excited so can’t wait for it to start.

“I loved watching Raven when I was younger so can’t believe I get to be involved now.”

The former St Peter the Apostle pupil added: “I used to dream of one day being a warrior contestant – I never for a second imagined that I’d one day be Raven.

“My 11-year-old self would be gobsmacked.”

The evil sorcerer Nevar will return as Raven’s nemesis who tries to ruin the contestants’ adventures.

Participants are tested in strength, speed and intellect with one survivor being named the Ultimate Warrior.

Raven gathered a huge cult following when it originally aired and the new series is hoping to be as equally popular.

Cheryl Taylor, controller at CBBC, said in a statement: “Raven has always inspired a passionate and loyal following from CBBC fans and it’s clear from the number of children keen to participate in the new series that its enduring and powerful appeal lives on.”

The new series is filming throughout July and will air later this year.

The programme welcome contestants from all over the UK, aged nine to 13, and more than 2,000 applications were entered for the new series.