MEET THE CAST
John's journey in performing arts began in his school years, where he discovered his passion for acting, singing, and dancing, inspired by his mother's career.
Since then, he has immersed himself in theatre, film, commercials, and pantomimes.
His diverse portfolio includes works such as Edgar Wright's 'The World's End', and Max Aaron's award-winning 'Stalled'.
John's versatility and commitment to his craft drive his success, as he looks forward to exploring opportunities and pushing artistic boundaries.
We decided to cast John due to his genuine enthusiasm for the project and strong commitment to the character.
He portrayed the role exactly as we had imagined during the zoom audition, whilst also adding his own unique interpretation to the character of Jim.
His dedication to understanding the character and his ability to bring it to life with his personal touch left a strong impression on us. His natural chemistry with Deborah Cordon, as Mary, is shown on screen throughout the film.
Deborah is a seasoned actress with a wealth of experience under her belt. After relocating to the southwest, she found a vibrant community of filmmakers and has since relished collaborating with emerging film companies.
Her repertoire includes short films and independent features, and she portrayed Sara Grant in a Rosamunde Pilcher TV series.
Embracing each role with passion and dedication, Deborah brings depth and authenticity to her characters, captivating audiences with her performances.
We decided to cast Deborah as she portrayed the warm motherly nature that we envisioned for Mary in her self tape and audition.
She refreshingly put thought into the character’s background and motivations and asked frequent questions about the character which showed her passion for the role.
Deborah's reactions perfectly encapsulated Mary's over-the-top nature and exaggerated the humour within the film.
Annabelle Budd is an upcoming actress based in London who trained at Italia Conti Theatre Arts. Her career has led her to Paris, where she has enjoyed engaging in various theatre and film projects.
In each of her performances, she dedicated herself to portraying her characters with authenticity and depth, to create a meaningful connection with audiences.
She is eager to continue exploring new roles and sharing stories that resonate with people worldwide.
We decided to cast Annabelle for the role of Emily as she was the perfect look for the character: youthful, innocent and pretty. From our first call with Annabelle, she immediately understood the character on a deeper level and took inspiration from roles she felt are similar (including Cher from Clueless) to get herself prepared for the film.
Her bubbly personality meant that she was a perfect comedic contrast against her parents' uptight attitudes.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Sani Thabo is an actor who grew up in Portsmouth and studied at the Identity School of Acting.
His journey began with performances at the New Theatre Royal, where he honed his craft and captured audiences with his talent.
Alongside his stage work, Sani collaborated on numerous short films with the University of Portsmouth, showcasing his versatility and dedication to the art. These experiences paved the way for his breakthrough role on Netflix's 'Everything Now'.
We decided to cast Sani because he brought a fun and comedic side to the character of Leon. From his first audition, he perfectly captured Leon's offbeat personality - showing the quirky character traits and exaggerated optimism that we imagined Leon to have.
His interpersonal skills ensured that he got along with both cast and crew alike and his on screen chemistry with Annabelle Budd, Emily Wilcox, was displayed effectively throughout the film.
Matthew Baylis has been a professional stand-up comic since 2007, captivating audiences internationally and in the UK as a closing act and compere/MC. With strong improvisational skills and a talent for creative comedy writing, Matthew's humour knows no bounds. He has also showcased his comedic talents in short films, internet indents, podcasts, and commercials. Whether on stage or screen, Matthew's infectious energy and quick wit continue to entertain audiences, making him a standout performer in the world of comedy and entertainment.
The decision to cast Matthew came from his strong likeness to how we pictured Edward Crain to look.
He also played the middle class gentleman role well in his self tape and his voice was perfect for the role.
After watching his comedy stand up shows, we knew Matthew would be able to bring the comedically uncanny character of Edward to life and perfectly encapsulate his out-of-place nature.
His seriousness in delivering out-of-the-box comments aided the film's comedy throughout.
Joan has a wealthy background in acting, having starred in short films, including the University of Portsmouth graduate film ‘It Is What It Is’.
Beyond her work in front of the camera, Joan is also a talented writer, crafting her short films. She collaborates closely with Crowbait UK, developing new scripts and plays that explore diverse themes and narratives.
This creative partnership allows Joan to delve into storytelling from multiple angles, both as an actor bringing characters to life and as a writer shaping their journeys.
We discovered Joan through her previous work on a University of Portsmouth graduate film, 'It Is What It Is', and her appearance instantly aligned with the way we envisioned the character of Grandma to be.
Joan brought a refreshing youthfulness to the character, injecting it with the dynamic energy we sought to incorporate.
Her ability to infuse the role with this vitality resonated with our vision for the character, solidifying our decision to cast her.
Her performance as Grandma challenges the audience's expectations and pushes the boundaries of the film.