edp24 #1

As big breaks go, it has to rank as one of the biggest and most magical. Until August last year, 17-year-old Norfolk student Chris Rankin had enjoyed a few meaty roles in stageshows with Dereham Operatic Society Youth Theatre Company and in productions at the town's Northgate High School.

But despite scoring a number of critical successes, which reached a peak last year when Chris played the title role in Jesus Christ Superstar at Northgate, he was considering a professional career away from the limelight, perhaps as a drama or music teacher. Now, however, you could say those plans are somewhat on hold after a tip-off from a friend led to Chris landing a substantial role in one of the most eagerly-awaited Hollywood blockbusters of recent years - the first Harry Potter movie.

Yesterday, enjoying a break from filming which has included location work in North Yorkshire, King's Cross Railway Station and Gloucester Cathedral, Chris spoke exclusively to the EDP about the whirlwind chain of events which plunged him into the magical world of Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry and a fiction phenomenon which has enchanted youngsters and adults alike.

"One of my friends, Will Rist, who played Pilate in Jesus Christ Superstar, phoned me up because he had heard about auditions being held," said Chris, who was born in New Zealand and moved to Norfolk with his family 11 years ago. "He said he was going for it, why didn't I give it a go, too? I had the address for the auditions and thought I might as well go for it because I had as much chance as the 30,000 others who applied. I just forgot about it, and six months later I had a call totally out of the blue asking me to come for an audition. I went to London, and it was just me, the casting director and a video camera.

"Four days later, I went to the studios at Leavesden near Watford and auditioned again in front of the producers and director using part of the script. Four days after that, I was told I had the part."

Obsessive secrecy on the part of Warner Brothers prevents Chris from revealing his character, but it was a role he actually suggested he might be suitable for when he first applied for the audition. "Anyone who knows me and knows Harry Potter will probably guess which character I'm playing," he said. "I'm a fifth-year pupil at Hogwarts, it's a substantial role and I'm in most of the scenes."

Chris still has a number of smaller scenes to get in the can, and will be playing a part in an avalanche of publicity due to swamp Britain in the run-up to the film's expected release on November 16. He is also due to line up with his fellow stars at the British premiere. The film, which is expected to follow the plot of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, is directed by Chris Columbus, whose earlier credits include Home Alone and the Robin Williams-in-drag comedy Mrs Doubtfire. Rumoured budgets vary from �100 million to an enormous �164 million.

"I am pleased to say that I am a fan and became addicted from the first chapter of the first book," said Chris. "This is a bit of a dream part for me, to say the least. I think the books' success is down to JK Rowling's style. She writes fantastically and with great humour, but with quite a sinister and mysterious tone at the same time. It just makes the books impossible to put down, whether you're a kid or a grown-up."

Since joining the crew, Chris has got to grips very quickly with the demands of film work - he had to be in the make-up chair at 7.30am, and worked a 12- hour day. "Doing camera work was difficult at first, but fortunately it didn't take long to get used to because it is hammered into you to ignore the camera at all costs," he added.

"It took some getting used to, being in a film with a budget of �164 million. I've come from shows at Northgate where we were working on a shoestring, to something where money doesn't matter."

Chris has also loved meeting the movie's adult stars, which include British film stalwart Dame Maggie Smith as well as former comedian and Cracker star Robbie Coltrane, Julie Walters, Richard Harris, Rick Mayall and Zoe Wannamaker.

"It was a bit daunting at first, but they are all such nice people and treat you as an equal," said Chris. "You get used to sitting in the make-up room and having a perfectly-normal conversation with Zoe Wannamaker in the next seat."

Chris' career prospects have changed slightly. He is now considering treading the boards of the West End, preferably in a rock musical, but is interested in possible film and television work. At least one job is in the bag: he's already been signed up for a Harry Potter sequel.

Chris Rankin

Article taken from EDP 24.