Meet the 11-year-old from Leeds who might be the next household name
You may not have heard of young Rory Wilmot.
But come Christmas, Harry Potter fans will soon know him as the new face of Neville Longbottom – the scatterbrained Gryffindor with a hugely courageous heart.
Before then, Rory stars in Unchosen, a six-part psychological thriller launching on Tuesday on Netflix.
Written and created by Julie Gearey (Coronation Street, Prisoner’s Wives and Intergalactic), the thriller delves into a conservative religious sect.
Rory, who plays the role of Anthony, is a rising star at one of the leading UK casting agencies for children, Articulate Drama School and Agency.
Based in Yorkshire, the casting agency has nurtured children, young actors and adults across the UK and secured life-changing opportunities in the TV and film Industry.
Alongside his role in Unchosen, Rory is following in the footsteps of fellow Leeds actor Matthew Lewis, playing the role of Neville Longbottom in HBO’s upcoming TV series Harry Potter, which is set for release this Christmas.
Rory said: “I’m super pleased Unchosen will finally be out. It seems ages ago we shot it; a lot has happened since then.
“I felt so proud and excited when Stacey and Lucy, my agents, Facetimed me to say I got the job!
“I enjoyed playing Anthony and acting out the conflict with him; it was a great role to play. He was torn between his loyalty to his dad and his loyalty to the Brotherhood.
“I found it interesting how sometimes you only get a short time to go on set and make the most of your moment, sometimes there was only time for one take, so you have to be prepared and ready.”
Fellow Articulate pupil Olivia Pickering, 9, has also been cast in the drama.
She plays role of Grace, the daughter of Rosie and Adam (played by Asa Butterfield and Molly Windsor). This marks her first major acting role - a huge milestone in her young career.
Olivia said: “Molly, who played my mum Rosie, was so kind and always looked after me — I learned so much from her!
“Playing Grace meant so much to me because she is hard of hearing just like me, and even though I don’t wear my hearing aid as much now, it was really great to have it in the show!
“I really, really hope I made Julie the writer and everyone proud.”
Articulate specialises in securing significant acting roles for its clients in TV, film, commercials, and radio, with a strong reputation representing children (4-15) and young adults (16-25).
The agency has headquarters in Shipley, but drama lessons are held across Yorkshire.