We are so excited to announce that our pupil Ben, represented by Mark Jermin Management, will be making his film debut as William in Disney’s ‘Flora & Ulysses’. What an unbelievable achievement – we are so proud of you Ben!
Production has started in Vancouver on Walt Disney Pictures’ Flora & Ulysses, directed by Lena Khan and based on the Newbery Award–winning children’s book, “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo (“Because of Winn-Dixie”, “The Tale of Despereaux”). The film is being produced for the upcoming streaming service Disney+, which launches in the U.S. on November 12th.
Flora & Ulysses tells the story of 10-year-old Flora, an avid comic book fan and a self-avowed cynic, who saves a squirrel she names Ulysses only to have its unique superhero powers wreak havoc in a series of humorous, antic-filled adventures that ultimately change Flora’s life—and her outlook—forever.
Matilda Lawler steps into the role of Flora, marking her film debut. She currently stars on Broadway as Honor Carney in Jez Butterworth’s Tony Award–winning play “The Ferryman,” directed by Sam Mendes. Alyson Hannigan (How I Met Your Mother, American Pie) plays Flora’s romance-writer mother, Phyllis, and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation, Modern Family) plays the role of her world-weary, estranged father, George. Newcomer Benjamin Evans Ainsworth plays the role of William, Flora’s newfound, but annoying, friend, and Danny Pudi (Community, The Tiger Hunter) joins the cast as Miller, an overly zealous animal control officer.
Flora & Ulysses is produced by Academy Award–nominated film producer Gil Netter, and James Powers and Katterli Frauenfelder are the executive producers. The book was adapted for the screen by Brad Copeland (Ferdinand, Wild Hogs). Khan and the producers assembled a talented roster of filmmakers, including director of photography Andrew Dunn (Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Crazy, Stupid, Love.); production designer Michael Fitzgerald (Medal of Honor, The Tiger Hunter); editor Lee Haxall (Always Be My Maybe); and costume designer Mona May (Santa Clarita Diet, Enchanted).
*Ben has been a pupil of Northern Lights Drama Theatre School for the past three years, attending our Acting and LAMDA examination classes, holiday workshops and summer schools. We recognised Ben’s potential and love for performance very early on so with the support from his parents we helped Ben to gain professional representation from leading UK agent Mark Jermin Management (MJM). Over the past two years Ben has appeared in Emmerdale, starred in the Bauli Italia ad campaign for TV, played the part of Benji in ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ on board the Norwegian Epic and William Beech in ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ at the East Riding Theatre.