'I was cast alongside Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield in my first film'

We Live In Time marks the screen debut of Lee Braithwaite

An actor whose first professional role was starring alongside Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield has said they feel "very fortunate" to have been part of the film.

We Live In Time marked the on-screen debut of Lee Braithwaite, who grew up in Harrogate.

Braithwaite plays commis chef Jade, who works in a kitchen with Pugh's character Almut, a young chef who is diagnosed with cancer.

"I couldn't have wished for a better first film experience," they said.

Talking about co-star Pugh, they added: "It was really inspiring to be able to watch her in her natural environment and how she works."

Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield play a couple in the film

Andrew Garfield plays Almut's partner, Tobias.

Braithwaite said: "He was my favourite Spiderman actor growing up so that was such a strange thing."

Towards the end of the film, all three characters are brought together.

"There was a moment on set when we were shooting the big culinary bit at the end, and we were watching playback on the monitors, and Florence was on the left of me and Andrew was on the right of me.

"I was just stood in between them. It was a real moment where I just had to breathe in and go, I feel very fortunate."

The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2024.

"When it came to the actual night of the premiere, I was doing a play at the National Theatre.

"I had to go and walk the red carpet in an outfit that I actually borrowed from the costume department at the theatre because I didn't have anything to wear!

"I then went back to the theatre and got on stage about an hour later for the evening show."

To prepare for the culinary role, Braithwaite had to spend some time practising their skills in the kitchen.

"They gave me a morning in a restaurant, and I got to shadow the head chef there.

"It was really great being able to be in the kitchen environment and watch the dynamic and watch how everyone works together as a team."

The film premiered during the BFI London Film Festival

They started acting at a young age and received a drama scholarship to attend Harrogate Ladies' College.

"I was able to have one-to-one drama lessons that really ignited that passion in me."

They also took part in several school plays.

"I'd say the moment I knew I wanted to do it was when I was playing the Artful Dodger in Oliver! at school when I was 15.

"I remember being so distraught when the show ended that all this joy I had when playing this character was going to be over.

"I was like, I think I need to chase this feeling because it just felt right."

Braithwaite (left) played the Artful Dodger in a school play

Braithwaite then moved to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) in 2020.

Now, they want more young people to have access to the arts and theatre.

"I think it's a really good foundation, not just for someone who wants to be an actor in the future, but it gives you skills in talking to people, being able to advocate for yourself, and clearly communicating ideas.

"It's also about playfulness and joy and I think acting and theatre groups are an opportunity that every child should have."

Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.