HE is about to hit the big time playing the boy who never gets old.
But after taking on the role of Peter Pan in the latest big budget version of the classic story, rising star Charlie Rowe said he is delighted to be growing up himself if it means he gets to keep starring in some of the biggest film and TV projects.
Charlie, who made his acting debut in The Golden Compass and who has also appeared in British films like Never Let Me Go, takes on his biggest part to date playing the green clad lad in a brand new mini series telling the origin story for Pan, Captain Hook, the lost boys and the other characters created by Scots author JM Barrie.
Also starring Rhys Ifans, Bob Hoskins, Anna Friel and Keira Knightley, the new Sky Movies production, Neverland, shows how Peter and co start off life as street urchins in Victorian London before being transported to the magical kingdom.
Charlie, 15, said that filming the eagerly-awaited prequel, which launches this week, was exactly the kind of thing he had always dreamed he would get the chance to do.
"I was incredibly gobsmacked when I got the call that they wanted me for Peter Pan.
"I feel really lucky to have got this iconic part. Every single boy wants to be Peter when they are five or seven years old. I just hope I've done it justice."
Neverland is one of the biggest TV projects to hit British screens in years, and Charlie said the producers have gone to town to ensure it lives up to the hype.
An all-star cast features Charlie as Peter, a street kid working for Fagan-type character Jimmy Hook, played by Rhys Ifans.
By a magical route, they are transported to Neverland and end up on opposing sides of a battle between good and evil.
Ifans teams up with the pirate crew, including Bob Hoskins playing his number two Smee (a role he also performed in Spielberg's movie version, Hook) and goes up against gorgeous pirate Bonny, played by Friel, whose crew have roamed the seas of Neverland for centuries.
Keira Knightley plays a green-screened version of Tinkerbell, who helps Peter fulfil his Pan destiny and care for the lost boys.
With the story acting as more of a prequel, Charlie hopes that fans of earlier incarnations aren't making too many comparisons.
"I've read the book by JM Barrie and I have seen other films, but once I had read the script, I realised this was darker and more intense," he said.
"I thought it was a really intriguing idea. There are still magical parts, but it's also darker and has a grittiness.
"There is more of a focus on Peter Pan and what's going on through his mind.
"Peter just wants to grow up, he wants to be good at something he loves, and that's important for teenagers to be able to relate to.
"He is a very mixed up boy and all he wants to do is grow up and become an adult, and then he gets transported to this land where he can't grow up, which, of course, is completely heartbreaking for him.
Charlie is still pinching himself with every big part he takes these days.
After his support role in The Golden Compass, he had a well received turn in Never Let Me Go alongside Brit stars Andrew Garfield and Carey Mulligan.
He is delighted to be enjoying his first lead part, and is taking as much advice as possible from his co-stars.
"This was my first lead role.
"After the Golden Compass I wasn't sure if I'd ever get another acting job.
"Then came Never Let Me Go, and then this came along so I have been really lucky with the way things have happened.
"I'm just trying to take it day by day because I don't want to look too far ahead.
"I've been incredibly lucky to be working on these fantastic jobs with people like this.
"I learned a lot from Rhys and Anna particularly, and Bob Hoskins is just a hilarious man to work with.
"Rhys was very supportive and was like a father figure to me.
"He was talking to me about acting and how to take steps to improve things, and gave me tips on how to get into the character.
"Keira Knightley was chosen for the voice role of Tinkerbell after filming but I talked to her when we were doing additional voice recording. It was great to see her again.
"The first time I met her was when we were preparing for Never Let Me Go.
"She's lovely."
Unlike Peter Pan, who is destined to forever soar over Neverland, Charlie was back to earth with a bump after filming in Dublin concluded earlier this year.
While he has many acting jobs in the works, he has also got the business of growing up in real life to get on with.
"I would definitely return to Neverland for a sequel if there was the chance again, because we all got on so well and I think it will be great.
"I've got dreams and a few projects in the pipeline but I'm not sure if anything will match this for fun.
"Right now, it's all about GCSEs (Standards) and sixth form.
"I had a tutor on set to help me a few hours each day - to get me through my exams.
"It's strange to get back to reality but, after it all, it was a lovely feeling to get back home to the real world."
Neverland is on Sky Movies Premiere HD at 6.30pm on Friday December 9, with part two on at the same time December 16.
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