Delilah O’Riordan, a Year 9 pupil at Brentwood School, will make her big-screen debut in the feature film Here, which will be released in UK cinemas tomorrow (January 17).
The film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, stars Hanks, Robin Wright, Michelle Dockery and Gwylim Lee.
Delilah in the famous long corridor at Pinewood Studios where there are pictures from many of the films that have been made there including some of the Harry Potter films (Image: Brentwood School)
Delilah, a performing arts and academic scholar, plays the daughter of Dockery and Lee’s characters, and showcases her musical talents in the film, performing a violin piece composed by Alan Silvestri.
She shared her excitement about her role and said: “Being part of Here was an incredible experience.
“I started costume appointments four months before filming, and even this was magical.
“Joanna Johnson is so talented and knowledgeable and designed the most special costumes for me.
“I felt so beautiful wearing the outfits, and part of me wishes we still wore styles from 1918 today.
“The violin piece I played was composed especially by Alan Silvestri, and the props department created a violin fitting for the time period – I wasn’t allowed to use a rest to play.”
The film tells the story of a piece of land and its history spanning many generations.
Delilah called Zemeckis “a warm and kind man with a very clear vision of his aims”.
“I very much enjoyed being directed by him and discussing my character with him.”
It’s not Delilah’s first taste of major productions though.
She made her Netflix debut in the 2022 festive comedy-drama Christmas on Mistletoe Farm and appeared in an episode of the BBC period drama Call the Midwife.
Delilah was also in a West End production of Les Misérables and played Lily Potter Jnr in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the Palace Theatre.
She said: “The days of filming at Pinewood Studios fell right next to my opening in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in the West End, so I had the most incredible few weeks.”
Delilah said she will be watching the movie when it comes out on Friday and will treasure the memories of working on it.
“I feel extremely lucky to have been part of this production and met so many wonderful people from my drivers to all the people on set.”
Brentwood School’s director of performing arts, Florian Cooper, expressed the school’s pride in Delilah’s accomplishments.
He said: “Delilah is a shining example of what can be achieved with dedication, talent, and passion.
“We are incredibly proud of her achievements both on stage and screen, and we look forward to watching her career continue to flourish.”
