Ruby Barnhill Explained

Ruby Barnhill
Birth Date:16 July 2004
Birth Place:Knutsford, Cheshire, England
Occupation:Actress
Yearsactive:2015–2019, 2024–present

Ruby Barnhill (born 16 July 2004) is an English actress. She played the lead role of Sophie in Disney's live-action adaptation of The BFG, directed by Steven Spielberg, in 2016.[1] [2] She also subsequently provided the voice of Mary Smith in the English dub of 2017's Mary and the Witch's Flower, a film from Studio Ponoc directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi.

Early life and career

Barnhill was born on 16 July 2004 in Knutsford, Cheshire, England. She lives with her parents and younger sister in Cheshire, and she is a member of the local youth theatre.[3]

In 2024, it was confirmed that Barnhill would voice Aurora in the English dub of The Imaginary.[4] Prior to her aforementioned role in the English dub of The Imaginary, Barnhill's acting career seemed to be on hiatus as she had not been in anything since 2019's Princess Emmy, in which she voiced the title character. Back in 2016, Barnhill said in an interview that she was being careful not to let her instant fame go to her head. She admitted: "I'm not sure I want to do any more films. I like the idea of becoming a director – TV or maybe theatre – or a drama teacher."

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016The BFG[5] SophieNominated – London Film Critics Circle Award for Young British/Irish Performer of the Year
Nominated – Young Artist Award for Best Young Leading Actress
Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Performance by a Younger Actor
2018Mary and the Witch's FlowerMary SmithVoice; English dub
2019Princess Emmy[6] Princess EmmyVoice
2024The Imaginary[7] AuroraVoice; English dub

Television

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Steven Spielberg Casts 10-Year-Old Ruby Barnhill as Lead in 'The BFG'. Thewrap.com. 21 February 2016. Wrap Staff. 16 December 2014 .
  2. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/05/14/how-schoolgirl-landed-a-giant-role-in-hollywoods-bfg "How schoolgirl landed a giant role in Hollywood's BFG"
  3. Web site: We found Sophie – Newcomer Ruby Barnhill from Cheshire, UK, is cast as Sophie in Steven Spielberg's adaptation of Roald Dahl's The BFG. Roalddahl.com. 22 February 2016.
  4. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-06-06/hayley-atwell-levar-burton-kal-penn-star-in-english-dub-for-ponoc-the-imaginary-film/.211625
  5. Web site: Steven Spielberg -- Stick With Me Kid … I'll Make You a Quick Million!. TMZ.com. 21 February 2016.
  6. Web site: Studio 100 Announces International Cast for 'Princess Emmy'. Animation Magazine. 15 February 2018. 18 February 2018.
  7. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2024-06-06/hayley-atwell-levar-burton-kal-penn-star-in-english-dub-for-ponoc-the-imaginary-film/.211625