Florence Pugh 'always had star quality', says former teacher
Florence Pugh has fast become one of Hollywood's biggest names - but before the bright lights of Los Angeles came calling, it was among the rolling hills and dreaming spires of Oxfordshire that her star began to burn.Claire Hooper - who taught a young Pugh for "about two or three years" at Cokethorpe School, in Witney, during the early noughties - said the actress "always had star quality".She spoke to the BBC ahead of her former student's latest release, Marvel's Thunderbolts*.The film sees Pugh return to her role as assassin Yelena Belova, with the character teaming up with other antiheroes - including those played by Sebastian Stan and David Harbour - to embark on a dangerous mission.
Ms Hooper said Pugh was destined for the big screen: "It was quite extraordinary for somebody of her age - it wasn't like watching a little child on the stage."
Reviews for Thunderbolts* have not yet been widely published, but responses to early screenings have been positive - with Pugh in particular being highlighted for praise.The 29-year-old has called the film the "movie we all need right now"."I think we need to understand mental health a bit more and I think we need to understand that everyone is battling with their own demons - and this is a movie that certainly tackles that," she told reporters at the film's London premier on Tuesday.Her performance has been called "superb" and labelled the one that "shines the brightest" among the cast by some critics.It's something that doesn't surprise Ms Hooper: "I cast her in what was probably her first ever public performance - as Mary in the school nativity play."She just had an amazing ability at a young age to completely embody a character and sort of let herself go."Ms Hooper, who has taught at Cokethorpe for 24 years, said Pugh performed the nativity in a Yorkshire accent: "I'm not sure where that came from at the time, but she was just brilliant."She said her former pupil - who she affectionately referred to as "Floss" - "always had star quality".
The superhero blockbuster is a far cry from her first big-screen role in Carol Morley's 2014 film The Falling, that was filmed at Carmel College in Wallingford.Starring alongside Maisie Williams, 17-year-old Pugh was still in the sixth form at St Edward's School in Oxford when she was cast.Pugh was born and grew up in the city alongside three siblings - including the actor and singer Toby Sebastian, who played Trystane Martell in the HBO series Game of Thrones.In 2015 she spoke to BBC Radio Oxford's Kat Orman about her break-out role and growing up in the city. Her father, Clinton Pugh, is well known for his restaurants - and more recently for his criticism of Oxford's traffic filters.Ms Hooper said Pugh grew up in a "creative, really good and fun family", adding that she and her siblings were "all just incredibly talented, gorgeous humans"."They were really, really special children."
Anna Smith, film critic and host of the podcast Girls On Film, said Pugh was a "talented, versatile actress who makes smart choices" who was now a "big star".Since her first film more than a decade ago, Pugh has gone on to star in movies such as Midsommar, Don't Worry Darling and the Oscar award winning films Oppenheimer and Dune: Part Two.In 2020, she herself earned an Academy Award nomination for her supporting turn as Amy March in Greta Gerwig's adaption of Little Women - although she lost out on the night to Marriage Story's Laura Dern.
"Audiences seem to respond to her authenticity - while she's very versatile, I think she brings a warmth and wit to many of her roles that people can relate to. It's not overly 'Hollywood'," Ms Smith, who first met Pugh when the actress was 16, said.She made her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in 2021, starring alongside Scarlett Johannsen's Black Widow, in what was her first appearance as Yelena Belova.Following Thunderbolts*, she is set to return as the character in Avengers: Doomsday alongside Marvel stalwarts Robert Downey Jr and Chris Hemsworth."Florence combines relatability with talent and star power, and she appeals to a wide variety of audiences thanks to balancing superhero movies and sci-fi with thoughtful dramas," Ms Smith said.She added: "I don't think it will be too long before she lands her first Oscar."
Pugh remains close to her family, releasing a song with her brother during lockdown in 2021.The Pugh family joined her at the premiere of Thunderbolts* in London and her grandmother, Pat Mackin, regularly attends her celebrity events.Talking on the red carpet, Pugh said: "I don't ever want to be caught out for something that I'm not, and I think that's always been the essence of why I've always been big mouthed, why I've always been opinionated and why I've always worn the things I want to wear."I would much rather know that everything I've done is 100% me than have to apologise for something that was half me later."Despite her stardom, Ms Hooper said she still saw "Floss" as "that tiny child with really striking and incredible vocal quality, and the ability just to become a different person"."I can't take any credit whatsoever for her success, but I'm incredibly proud of what she's done - she's just got extraordinary talent," Ms Hooper added.
You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner ‘overwhelmed' by support
The family of Race Across The World contestant Sam Gardiner have issued a message of thanks for the love and support following their son's death and also thanked people for donations to a fundraising campaign set up in his memory. The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died following a car crash last month. A JustGiving page launched in his memory by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than £10,000. His mother said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. 'We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. 'I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 'We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. 'National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.' Mr Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. The accident happened on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday May 26 and he died on May 29 from his injuries, his family said last week. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew said: 'When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. 'After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. 'I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause.' The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it 'provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices'. The website also describes FASD as resulting 'when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body.. It says: 'FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. 'While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning.' A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: 'Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. 'National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds.' A private funeral will be held later this month.
The Herald Scotland
25 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner ‘overwhelmed' by support
A JustGiving page launched in his memory by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than £10,000. His mother said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. 'We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. 'I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 'We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. 'National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.' Mr Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. The accident happened on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday May 26 and he died on May 29 from his injuries, his family said last week. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew said: 'When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. 'After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. 'I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause.' The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it 'provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices'. The website also describes FASD as resulting 'when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body.. It says: 'FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. 'While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning.' A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: 'Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. 'National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds.' A private funeral will be held later this month.
Western Telegraph
29 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Family of Race Across The World's Sam Gardiner ‘overwhelmed' by support
The 24-year-old, who competed in the BBC One series alongside his mother Jo, died following a car crash last month. A JustGiving page launched in his memory by his family, in aid of National FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder), has so far raised more than £10,000. His mother said: 'We have been overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of messages of love and support on social media and in comments to press reporting. 'We would like to thank the BBC, Studio Lambert and everyone at Race Across The World production, fellow contestants and fans of the show for all their support at this terrible time. It has been very comforting to know that Sam touched so many people. 'I have been particularly moved by all the messages that Sam was an inspiration to many who have been impacted by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. 'We adopted Sam and he was diagnosed with FASD. As viewers of season two will recall, this was a big challenge both for Sam and for us as his parents. 'National FASD helped us on that journey. If some good comes of this tragedy, it will be that FASD is better understood.' Mr Gardiner was driving a white Volkswagen Golf R estate when it came off the road and rolled before landing on its side. The accident happened on the A34 in Gatley, near Cheadle, on Monday May 26 and he died on May 29 from his injuries, his family said last week. Broadcast in March 2020, Sam and Jo ventured across Mexico and Argentina as part of the second series of the BBC show. Mr Gardiner's father Andrew said: 'When the news broke last week, friends asked how they could help. 'After some thought, I decided to set up a JustGiving page to raise money for National FASD in memory of Sam. The page is called Sam Gardiner; Super Human. 'I set the target at £500 thinking a few friends might be generous enough to make a donation. So far it's raised 20 times that. It's very humbling to see the RATW family rally to this worthy cause.' The National Organisation for FASD says on its official website that it 'provides support to people with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, their families and communities, campaigns to raise public awareness, and promotes relevant policies and practices'. The website also describes FASD as resulting 'when prenatal alcohol exposure affects the developing brain and body.. It says: 'FASD is a spectrum. Each person with FASD is affected differently. 'While more than 400 conditions can co-occur, FASD is at its core a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition. All people with FASD have many strengths. Early diagnosis and appropriate support are essential, especially for executive functioning.' A message on the official National FASD Instagram account said: 'Sam lived his life full of love, exuberance and adventure as seen on BBC's Race Across the World. 'National FASD is both humbled and honoured to help carry on his legacy via donations coming from hundreds.' A private funeral will be held later this month.
