A Brentwood schoolgirl has made her Netflix debut in the festive film Christmas on Mistletoe Farm.
Brentwood School pupil Delilah O’Riordan, 11, appears in the Christmas comedy-drama which is currently in the top ten most-watched films on Netflix in 59 countries.
The Netflix project saw her rubbing shoulders with showbiz royalty including Celia Imrie, best known for The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Calendar Girls and Absolutely Fabulous, and Scott Garnham, whose credits include Pompidou and Billy Elliot The Musical.
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Christmas on Mistletoe Farm was directed by Debbie Isitt, who also wrote and directed all four Nativity! films.
This story follows a widowed father who, after inheriting a farm at Christmas time, makes a bumpy adjustment to village life while his children hatch a plan to stay there forever.
The film was shot in the West Midlands in spring 2022 and Delilah plays the eldest of five siblings.
She said: “Working on Christmas on Mistletoe Farm has been without a doubt the most magical adventure of my life so far.
“We, the five Cunningham siblings, lived in a hotel near the set for six weeks and by the end I felt as though I really did have four new younger siblings.
“I love them all and we will be friends for life.
“Our days on set were filled with amazing things such as cycling, quad biking, swimming, singing, dancing, cuddling newborn animals and so much more."
She said the experience was a "real kid's dream".
“The adults in the cast were all so warm and friendly and in particular, Scott Garnham, my dad in the film, and Scott Paige (Beano) who made us laugh every day and supported us," added Delilah.
“I called them Scott Dad and Scott Beano. I am also very fond of Celia Imrie who is just one of most wonderful people you could ever meet.
“Debbie Isitt, the director, is a complete genius and I learned so much from working with her. I will always be grateful to her for choosing me to be part of this incredible project.”
Delilah has always dreamed of being a professional actress.
However, Delilah’s mum, Dr Michelle O’Riordan explained that things could have been very different.
She said: “Delilah suffered from severe glue ear causing deafness from the ages of four to eight.
“We were told that most people with her level of hearing loss would give up academically and become disruptive.
“Delilah didn't do either of those things and this hearing loss makes her achievements all the more remarkable.
“She is the most tenacious person I know.”
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