Ruby Barnhill Archives

Ruby Barnhill (Photographer: Paul Worpole) by Nur Hussein, staff writer Steven Spielberg has announced a casting decision for the role of of Sophie in his upcoming film adaptation of beloved children's novel The BFG. Ruby Barnhill from Cheshire, England, landed her debut film role after an extensive search for the right child actor for the role of the protagonist in Roald Dahl's classic story of an orphan girl who is inadvertantly whisked away on an adventure in the land of giants. Barnhill, age 10, has been acting for two years, in the local theatre of her hometown of Cheshire and also on television. She had previously been cast in the BAFTA-winning BBC's children's drama Four O'Clock Club. She joins veteran actor Mark Rylance who will portray the titular Big Friendly Giant, or BFG. Spielberg said, "After a lengthy search, I feel Roald Dahl himself would have found Ruby every bit as marvelous as we do." He added, "We have discovered a wonderful Sophie in Ruby Barnhill." "I feel incredibly lucky and I’m so happy," commented Barnhill. “Sophie gets to go on this wonderful adventure and I’m so excited that I get to play her." No other casting decisions have been announced yet, but if it goes according to schedule, production should begin early next year. The film will be out on July 1, 2016. -30-

‘The BFG’ Movie Casts Sophie

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