Birmingham has produced many famous names over the years, and it is also the birthplace of some high-flying actors who also went to school in the city.
The city-region has produced many eminent folk who have gone on to play a part in brilliant telelvision dramas as well as major films in the UK and abroad.
If you went to the same school as one of Birmingham’s famous actors, then you’ll definitely have grown up hearing stories about them.
Schools across the region are deservingly proud of their famous alumni, who have gone on to achieve highly after their time in education - so we’ve put together a list of the biggest actors from Birmingham and the local schools which they went to.
So, here are 16 actors who went to school in Birmingham:
1. David Harewood OBE, St Benedict’s Junior School and Washwood Heath Academy
Born and raised in Small Heath, Birmingham City fan David Harewood is best known for his roles as CIA Counterterrorism Director David Estes in the hugely popular US drama Homeland. Growing up, he attended St Benedict’s Junior School and Washwood Heath Academy Photo: Getty Images
2. Julie Walters, St Paul’s School for Girls, Edgbaston
The legendary actress from Edgbaston is the recipient of four British Academy Television Awards as well as two Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe. She had an early education at St Paul’s School for Girls in Edgbaston and later at Holly Lodge Grammar School for Girls in Smethwick. She was made a Dame (DBE) in 2017 for services to drama by Queen Elizabeth II.
3. Felicity Jones, Kings Norton Girls’ School
Birmingham born Jones has appeared in the films Northanger Abbey (2007), Brideshead Revisited (2008), Chéri (2009), The Tempest (2010), The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014), and True Story (2015). Her performance in the 2011 film Like Crazy was met with critical acclaim and awards including a special jury prize at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. She grew up in Bournville. After Kings Norton Girls’ School, Jones attended King Edward VI Handsworth School.
4. Anton Lesser, Moseley Grammar School
Born in Birmingham, Anton Lesser attended Moseley Grammar School and the University of Liverpool, where he read architecture, before starring in Game of Thrones and playing Harold Macmillan in Netflix hit The Crown.