NI schoolgirl 'amazed' after starring role in hit movie Summerland

Aoibhine McFlynn, from Ballyronan, plays Cassie a World War II evacuee from Belfast in the hit film which has an all-star line up including Gemma Arterton, Sir Tom Courtenay and Dixie Egerickx.

"I don't think anyone anticipated just how big this movie was going to be," said Edele - Aoibhine's mum who accompanied her when it was being shot in Sussex in October 2018.

"It's getting massive reviews, it's huge but we didn't know that at the time."

Edele, a beautician, said 11-year-old Aoibhine had been signed up with Alison Campbell's Modelling Agency and had been doing "bits and pieces" of work when this opportunity came along.

"Aoibhine was asked to read a couple of lines and we videoed her and she got it," said Edele.

"Apart from modelling work for Alison, she has never done anything like this and when she came back from the movie she got a role in the Phoenix Natual Gas advert on UTV."

Aoibhine was just nine at the time of filming but loved the experience so much that her parents are now looking around for a suitable drama school.

Summerland is a sentimental war drama set in a small Kent seaside town and follows the awakening of reculsive writer Alice Lamb (Gemma Arterton) when a young evacuee called Frank (Lucas Bond) arrives at her door.

Edele said Aoibhine has a small speaking role with Tom Courtenay, who plays Mr Sullivan, in a classroom scene.

"It was an unbelievable experience...amazing," she continued. "Shooting had been going on for six or seven weeks before we landed. We did not know it was going to be a big movie until we saw the actors."

They stayed in a five-star hotel and were chauffeured each morning to the set. "I got to see it all being filmed by director Jessica Swale. They were long days with different angled shots until she got it right, and she got it right."

Edele described Aoibhine as "a modest wee girl" who has a brother and four sisters.

A former pupil of St Patrick's Primary School, Loup, she is due to start St Pius X College in Magherafelt in the near future.

"We have not got physically as a family to see the film," admitted Edele. "It's only available at selected cinemas but others have been telling us about seeing her on the big screen."

--- A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you