Lucy Boynton

Profile last updated 22nd September 2008

The Basics

Age: 14

Birthday: January 1994

School: James Allen's Girls' School, Dulwich (£12,000 a year!)

Father: Graham Boynton, The Daily Telegraph travel editor

Mother: Adriaane Pielou, a Journalist

Represented by: Olivia Homan, at United Agents


Claim to fame?

Lucy appeared as the young Beatrix Potter in the 2006 film Miss Potter staring Renee Zellweger and Ewan McGregor. Miss Potter is a film inspired by the children's author Beatrix Potter's love affair with her publisher Norman Warne.

Lucy took the role of young Beatrice Potter aged 10 and later in the film as 13.  It was filmed in the  Lake District and  the Isle of Man, and she was required to wear a corset, of which Lucy said "was okay at first but then it started digging in, and made it agony to walk!" Source

During filming she acquired two great loves: the Lake District and beans on toast.

How did she get the role?

A casting agent came to Lucy's school and watched her drama lesson - the class didn't even know the casting agent was there, Lucy stated in an interview. 

Lucy's mother said in another interview how; "I was listening in astonishment as she flung herself into the car after school and breathlessly explained how a woman from Priscilla John Casting had sat in on their drama class. She was looking for a girl to play Beatrix Potter as a child in a film starring Renee Zellweger and had asked Lucy to audition."

By her third audition Lucy was in the final 6. Lucy auditioned in front of the casting director, Priscilla, Chris Noonan, the film's Australian director (who made the film Babe) and David Thwaites, a young English Hollywood producer (and former child actor himself). Lucy must've blown everyone away, as the audition ended gratifyingly. It is reported that Noonan was dabbing away tears.

Priscilla rang an hour later, as Lucy and her mother were having hot chocolate in a cafe; "Congratulations. Everyone loves Lucy. She's got the part."

After a whirl of costume fitting, wig fitting, screen tests, interviews, filming and going to and from the Lake District, Lucy said "I want to act every second of every day." Source

What Else? What Next?

Lucy has recently completed some successful British TV work for the BBC, including TV drama Ballet Shoes, alongside Emma Watson. Lucy also played Margaret Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility. Both were adaptations from novels of the same title. 

In a Press Article from the BBC for Ballet Shoes Lucy was specifically mentioned by the production team for her performance and feisty attitude:

Lucy Boynton, cast next as feisty, ballet-mad Posy, also spent time in the hairdresser's chair. Her own hair is dark blonde, but, says Heidi: "In auditions she was brilliant; loveable, but also hilariously funny, and we realised her delicate complexion would make her convincing as a redhead. So out came the scissors, the curlers and the dye."

More information on Sense and Sensibility, the three part drama on BBC1, can be found on the BBC website. Although this particular article doesn't mention Lucy, after watching the TV drama I believe her role in the adaptation gave it a much needed comic relief.

Above, the cast reading of Sense and Sensibility.

As Boynton's mother puts it: "I think it's lovely, because Lucy does seem quite good and it's great to have a talent that is given expression, 'cos there are lots of people with lots of talents who never ever get it noticed for the whole of their lives."

"We think carefully about which parts Lucy does, of course," said Adriaane. Source

Left, Lucy in Sense and Sensibility.

Although Lucy will be battling her acting career alongside school and her education, we can expect to see more of Lucy soon! 

Other facts

Lucy Boynton's original ambition was to work at Battersea Dogs Home.

The film "Miss Potter" is her first - her previous acting career being confined to angels and sheep in Nativity plays, and a part in a school production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Lucy was found the cameras at Miss Potter's premiere a little bit scary; "The premiere was wonderful, magical," said Lucy. "But when I got out of the car and the camera flashes started it was a bit scary."

Lucy was asked to read for St. Trinians, but but Lucy's mother found the script too vulgar in language and refused for Lucy to audition! Source

Credits for this Profile

Telegraph Article / Telegraph Article 2

Official Miss Potter Website

Independent Article; Child Stars

CBBC Newsround Interview

IMDB

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