Eleanor Tomlinson has been labelled the next big acting talent to keep an eye on and with roles in Alice In Wonderland and Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging things are going from strength to strength for the young actress.
I caught up with her to talk about working with Tim Burton, what she is currently working on and seeing herself as part of Disney Interactive Studios' new Alice In Wonderland game.
You can currently be seen in Tim Burton's 3D movie Alice In Wonderland so how did the role come about?
Alice was a very lengthy audition process. Originally I auditioned for Alice, but then had two further recalls for the part of Fiona Chataway, at one of which I met Tim Burton and we discussed the role.
And what was it like working with such a visionary and exciting filmmaker such as Burton?
Tim Burton was incredible! He is such a lovely man and so inspiring to watch as he directs. I don't think anyone will ever create a performance that can match his imagination.
The movie is a huge smash at the global box office, it's taken well over $600 million, how surprised are you by the movie's success? And how excited are you by it all?
The movie has done amazingly well. I still don't believe that I have been a part of it! I'm so bowled over by the whole thing!
The movie is also a video game for the Nintendo DS and the Wii so can you tell me a little bit about that?
The games are brilliant! They are so much fun to play, really colourful and let you delve even deeper into Underland and the Alice in Wonderland story.
You can also play as all of Alice’s friends, like the Mad Hatter and White Rabbit, which is great! They are also very different. The Wii version is visually stunning whilst the DS version has a really quirky style.
Have you seen the game yet?
I have seen extracts from both games and they are both fab. I'm so hopeless at video games but am determined to get to the end of this one!
You are currently in South Africa filming your new TV series so can you tell me a little bit about Lost Future?
The Lost Future is a drama that is loosely based around the documentary Life After Humans. It’s a very exciting project with lots of action and adventure.
And how was it returning to South Africa after filming Heaven and Earth there?
Returning to SA has been great! I've had a lot of fun and have really had a chance to explore this time round!
I suppose there was a great sense of disappointment when the movie was cancelled due to lack of funding? Is there any chance that this is going to go ahead?
It was obviously very disappointing when Heaven and Earth didn't go ahead but you never know. I am keeping my fingers crossed it will come back!
You have mixed TV with movies so how did you find working on The Sarah Jane Adventures?
The Sarah Jane Adventures was a great job to work on! I'd never played an alien before so it was a great new role to have some fun with.
How does TV and film differ or are they similar? Do you have a favourite?
TV and film have some similarities. TV jobs are much faster than films as they need to get them televised asap. Personally I prefer film as you can form closer bonds and become more of a family with the cast and crew.
So how did you get into acting in the first place?
Both my parents are actors so I grew up knowing about the industry. I went on set with my dad once when he was doing The Bill and from then on wanted to be an actress.
The Illusionist was your first movie. I suppose that's as good a place as any to start. How exciting, intimidating was that?
The Illusionist was a great movie to be a part of and it gave me such a great start! I loved working on it. I remember being sooo terrified before it came out but everyone was really supportive!
You also dropped out of sixth form college so why have you decided to leave education behind you for now?
I am a big believer in taking any opportunity that comes your way. I have been extremely lucky with work and I left 6th form to concentrate solely on my career. Who knows, if things don't work out, maybe I'll go back.
And how supportive are your family of your acting career as well as leaving college?
I wouldn't be where I am now without my family. They have been incredible! They always support my decisions and never pressure me to be something I'm not.
I read that you no longer need to be chaperoned whilst filming so how do you find that?
Not having a chaperone is... Amazing! Haha. Obviously I miss my family when I go away but doing a job by myself is incredibly important to me. It allows me to focus more on the character and bond with the cast and crew.
You have been labelled the next big thing, as well as being compared to Keira Knightley, so how do you react to statements like that and how much pressure does that put you under.
Wow I am so flattered to be compared to Keira. I think she has done amazingly well for herself and I would love to follow in her footsteps!
Finally what's next for you?
Who knows what's next! That's one of the things I love about this industry - you never know what's round the next corner. Guess we will have to wait and see so fingers crossed!
Eleanor is promoting the launch of Disney Interactive Studios' Alice In Wonderland video game, which is out now on Nintendo Wii and Nintendo DS.
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
Tagged in Alice in Wonderland Eleanor Tomlinson