Production is now underway in London for debut feature director Eddie Sternberg’s I Used to be Famous for Netflix
The cast has also been revealed for the adaptation of Sternberg’s award-winning short film of the same title, from Netflix’s new UK Features Slate
Ed Skrein (Midway, If Beale Street Could Talk) and newcomer Leo Long lead the cast of I Used to be Famous.
London-born actor, writer, director and musician Ed Skrein takes on the role of ‘VINCE’. He can next be seen in Mona Lisa And The Blood Moon, which premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival and Naked Singularity alongside Bill Skarsgård and John Boyega.
Making his screen debut in the role of ‘STEVIE’ is musician Leo Long who has performed with the London Youth Folk Ensemble and National Open Youth Orchestra. Being neurodiverse, Leo has experienced and succeeded in overcoming many challenges and is determined to make the music & film industries more people-friendly for disabled musicians & actors.
‘AMBER’ is played by Eleanor Matsuura, best known for her roles in The Walking Dead and Netflix’s Feel Good. Other television credits include the internationally renowned BBC series Sherlock and Spooks: The Greater Good.
Joining the cast in supporting roles are Eoin Macken (La Brea) as ‘AUSTIN’ and Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton) as ‘CHERYL’.
The film centres on Vince, who used to be in the hottest boyband around. Now the troubled former popstar is alone and desperate. He dreams of making a comeback and starts performing in the streets of Peckham, in the hope that someone, anyone, will listen. An impromptu jam with Stevie, an autistic young drummer with an incredible gift for rhythm, sparks an unexpected friendship between the two misunderstood musicians. Together they form a unique bond through the power of music.
The producer is Collie McCarthy, of Forty Foot Pictures and the executive producers are Damian Jones (The Lady In The Van) and Paul Grindey of Viewfinder Film (The Father).
It’s co-written by Eddie Sternberg and Zak Klein.
Jon Creamer
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