Kildare teenager Charlie Reid chosen to star opposite Olivia Colman in new Irish movie

I have yet to meet a person who doesn’t have a soft spot for Olivia Colman, and I reckon I probably never will. Unlike many of her fellow Hollywood elite, Colman strikes me as being one of those actresses who is just really, really nice. While her colleagues sometimes come across as stuffy and unflappable, she is anything but and it’s her at times excitable nature that makes her the relatable screen star we just can’t get enough of. I mean, the proof is in her 2020 Oscars acceptance speech. 

Probably one of my favourites to date, a teary-eyed Colman began her monologue saying “this is genuinely quite stressful!”, later laughing and adding “this is hilarious – I’ve got an Oscar!”, before finally apologising to Glenn Close who was thought to be a shoo-in for best actress that year. 

As in-demand as ever (both on and off camera), Colman is soon to star in a new movie called Joyride. Described by Variety as a “feel-good, foul-mouthed fairytale centring on two lovable rogues”, she’ll take on the title character Joy, while young Kildare actor Charlie Reid will play her co-star Mully. Set to begin filming in Kerry this month, Reid was chosen for the role after a long search involving over 1,500 other applicants. 

Keen to find someone who could act, sing and “display confidence and vulnerability”, director Emer Reynolds told The Guardian that the 14-year-old was ultimately chosen on account of his “pure, raw talent – and that something special that all great actors have”. 

Equally as excited to collaborate with the up-and-coming actor, Colman commented, “He totally blew me away. He’s clearly got it all. I’m going to have to really up my game. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Meeting each other for the first time over Zoom last week, Colman and Reid really hit it off with Reynolds saying that, “Olivia was complimenting him on his natural talents and how wonderful she thought he was for the part.”

“He has what Mully has – that really beguiling combination of confidence and vulnerability. She was giving him advice about shooting out of order and learning his lines, and that they’ll be an ally for each other. The film is based on their relationship [as] the main characters,” she continued. 

Meet MULLY! ???????????? https://t.co/fwpOwY8vCe

— Emer Reynolds (@emerpreynolds) June 20, 2021

Mully, a 13-year-old “scallywag” and Joy a new mother trying to give her baby away to her best friend, the two form an unlikely friendship in a “big-hearted, wickedly funny and emotional story about hope and forgiveness”. All set to the gorgeous surrounds of The Kingdom. 

Embankment Films, the company behind Oscar-winner The Father, is financing and executive producing the film. While the lead roles have been filled, crew are still on the lookout for extras to be involved in the movie – including the part of a breastfeeding mum. Casting for someone who would be comfortable with breastfeeding their baby on camera, a post on the Movie Extras website confirms that the scenes will be “very sensitively shot”. If interested, you can find out more information here. 

Feature image via @joe.alwyn