Lois in the fast lane for film success

11:06am Thursday 3rd April 2008

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A ten-year-old actress has made her first on-screen appearance in a UK action movie featuring a host of famous names.

Lois Clossick from Billington made her film debut alongside the likes of Joey Ansah from The Bourne Ultimatum and Danny John-Jules, who played Cat in Red Dwarf, in independent action flick Underground.

Underground is an exciting new British action film from the producers of "Displaced", and features some of the UK's best fighters, including Leyland actor and film maker Mark Strange.

The role signals a bright future for Lois, of Walmsley Brow, Billington, who has set her sights on emulating Hollywood actress, and fellow dyslexia sufferer, Keira Knightley.

She has drawn inspiration from The Pirates of the Caribbean star, who was successful at school and has established herself among the world's best actresses in spite of the condition.

Lois' mum, Julia, said: "Of course I'm very proud, she has been very lucky.

"She has been acting since she was six and has always had a flair for performing and we hope that this role might lead to a future in acting for her. She is very ambitious.

"She would like to be Keira Knightley because, not only does she think she's great, but she admires how dyslexia has not been a barrier to her."

Lois, a pupil at St Anne's RC Primary School, Blackburn, was cast for the role after attending the successful Actors Studios drama group held at Our Lady and St John Catholic Arts College in Blackburn.

The class is taught by Hollyoaks star Suzanne Hall, allowing Lois the chance to regularly work with another of her heroes and pick up tips from a professional television actress.

In the film Lois incidentally plays the role of Lois, daughter to Mark, nicknamed The Homeless, who has been hand-picked to fight in an illegal underground tournament for the prize of £500,000.

But despite making her movie bow in a gory combat film, mum Julia doesn't anticipate her daughter making a career in the action genre.

Lois is also a talented dancer and general performer and took first place in the Blackburn Festival of Speech, Music and Dance and plans to defend her title this year.

Julia said: "Lois wasn't involved in any of the fight scenes.

"Her character and her father are estranged and she features in flashback scenes which were filmed in Lancaster.

"I don't know where she gets her talent from. I doubt very much that it's from me."

Three years ago, Leyland actor/director Mark was the producer and star of sci-fi feature film Displaced featuring an opening narrative by Lord of the Rings star, Sir Ian McKellen.

Underground was premiered at CinemaFour, The Island, South Promanade, St.Annes-on-Sea, last month.