You almost certainly have never heard of young Welsh actress Priya-Rose Brookwell, but it’s only a matter of time before you do. The 11-year-old is the star of the new indie film Grow, alongside more experienced actors like Bridgerton’s Golda Rosheuvel and famed English teddy bear Nick Frost.
The movie is about Charlie, a young girl searching for her mother who ends up living with her farmer aunt. She might just be a savant at growing pumpkins, and the film is funny, charming and endlessly entertaining, with Brookwell shining. She clearly has a bright future ahead of her.
Insights From Priya-Rose Brookwell
- Actors should build strong relationships with their cast and crew to create a supportive environment that enhances performance and enjoyment on set.
- Trust your instincts during auditions and scenes, and don’t be afraid to improvise to make your performance stand out.
- Embrace every role as a learning opportunity, no matter the size, to continually improve and prepare for a long-term acting career.
What was it about acting that first interested you?
Well, my mum was a big movie person, so I think that’s what got me into loving movies. I watched a lot when I was younger, and because I’m very curious, sometimes I wanted to know how they were made, so I started watching a lot of behind-the-scenes. Then I asked my mum if I could start acting. She said yes, but she thought it was just a phase. But I kept asking, and when I was maybe five, she started letting me do it.
Wait, you were five? When did you start asking?
When I was three, I think.
Three! What movies were you watching at three that got you interested?
I loved Disney princesses and musicals.
Okay, that tracks. So you were five, and still asking your mom. What happened then?
She found me some stuff to do to see if I liked it, because, of course, it’s very different and crazy, and I absolutely loved it. I loved being on a film set from the very beginning.
I saw that you’ve done a bunch of shorts, and now this is your second feature. You said you loved being on a film set. Do you notice the differences between big and small productions?
I think it’s the connections with the cast. I can connect with people quite quickly on short films, so that’s good, but I was in Scotland for seven weeks on this movie, doing it almost every day with just weekends off. I still went out sometimes with Golda, so I think it’s the connection with the cast and crew. I knew everyone so much because I was there almost every day. That’s quite a big difference.
Sure, a short film, you’re only there for a couple of days, and this is a much longer commitment. I do want to ask about your connection with the cast, but first, let’s talk about how you got the movie.
I actually auditioned for a different role, and then I went for Charlie after because they asked me to. So I did, and then I got to do chemistry reads with Golda, and they asked me to do both roles, the one that I’d auditioned for, and Charlie. Getting any of them would have been incredible, but I ended up with Charlie.
What was it about Charlie that so spoke to you and was so appealing?
Her relationships with everyone. Peter, of course, the pumpkin. And then there’s Golda, and how she connects with Arlo, who’s Nick Frost. It’s just the way she has different bonds with different people, because at the beginning, she doesn’t want to be with anyone. She wants to be alone all the time, and then by the end, she’s with a community of people who love her.
Did you have any experience working on a farm or being around them before the movie? Or did you have to do some research?
I grew up in North Wales, where I’m surrounded by a bunch of farms and fields and a lot of sheep. A lot of nature. A lot of mountains as well.
You mentioned working with Golda Rosheuvel. You spent so much time with her. What was your relationship with her like? And what did you learn from her?
She’s just incredible. All of them are. I learned so much from their acting and our relationship. We even went out when we were not on set. We went to the illusion museum, and we went out for ice cream. She even brought an ice cream truck to the set one day. I think it was the last day.
She’s like a second mum to me, and we still keep in touch. I saw her not long ago at the Edinburgh Film Festival, and I ran straight up to her and hugged her because I hadn’t seen her in ages.
Do you think that you can take things from this experience and use them moving forward? You said your acting improved so much. Can you explain how?
I definitely want to keep improving, because I want this to be a lifelong job. I want to be as good as some of those incredible actors, the really famous people.
John [McPhail], the director, always said it’s about going with your gut, and I think when I do auditions now, I never properly go off the script, but if I feel like there needs to be a bit of improvising there, I will do it because you stand out if it’s different [from] all the others. I think that’s what I learned most from it, to go with your gut and do what you think the scene would be.
Was there a lot of pressure, considering that you were suddenly the star of this movie, and it was only your second time being in a feature?
No, no, definitely not. I never felt like I was doing it alone, because I had an incredible cast. When you watch the movie in the end credits, every name that you see has definitely put 100% into the movie, and that’s why it’s so good. I feel like I really got taken care of. Everyone was always by my side, and I was never alone.
You said that you want to make a career out of this, so it’s not just a phase? Has your mom relaxed a bit?
Yes, definitely. (Laughs) Like 100%.
What do you want to do next?
Oh, a horror movie. I’ve always wanted to do a horror movie. I’ve done a few auditions for them, but I really want to be in one. I’m too young to watch them right now, but I’m really excited for when I’m old enough.
Do you want to be a villain or a victim?
A villain! (Laughs) Villains are so much cooler.
Final Takeaways
Breaking into acting can feel overwhelming, especially for new performers finding their footing. But as young actress Priya-Rose Brookwell’s journey shows, curiosity, connection, and confidence go a long way. Here are a few practical tips inspired by her experience that can help new actors navigate their own path.
- Watch movies and behind-the-scenes footage to understand how films are made and spark your interest.
- Build genuine relationships with your cast and crew to create a supportive atmosphere on set.
- Be open to trying different roles and auditions, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.
- Trust your gut during auditions and performances, and don’t be afraid to add a personal touch through improvisation.
- Treat every project as a chance to learn and grow, no matter how big or small the role.
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