A Lord Wandsworth College student is making his big screen debut in the release of Here which hits UK cinemas from this Friday (January 17).

Albie Salter, 12, plays the role of young Jimmy in the movie, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Paul Bettany.

Here is based on the 2014 graphic novel by Richard McGuire and tells the story of a single house and the people who have lived there over the course of generations.

“It’s so incredible to see yourself on the big screen,” Albie said. “It’s almost unreal because you watch movies all the time and don’t imagine being in something like that.”

Whilst Here is the first time that Albie has appeared in a feature film, he is no stranger to acting. He played the lead role of Patch in 101 Dalmations – A New Musical at Regents Park Open Air Theatre in 2022, having made his professional stage debut there the year before in Carousel.

“I also play the guitar and sing,” Albie added. “I’m working on a third album and I’m looking to do a headline show this year.”

One of Albie’s highlights whilst filming Here included working with one of Hollywood’s best-loved actors.

Albie commented: “Tom Hanks was just brilliant on set, he improvised in nearly every scene and it was just mesmerising to watch.

“On the last day of filming, he said to me, ‘This won’t be the last thing we do together’ and he then said, ‘I’ll see you in the next one.’”

Digital de-ageing was used in the film, which sees Albie playing the brother of Richard Young (Tom Hanks) and the young son of Al Young (Paul Bettany).