Actor William Franklyn-Miller from Four Kids and It shares his life as a young actor and model

Young actor and model William Franklyn-Miller chatted with us about the perks of starting in the industry at such a young age, engaging and being a part of the social media generation, and his upcoming exciting projects.

Franklyn-Miller will be in the film Four Kids and It alongside Paula Patton, Michael Caine and Russell Brand about a group of kids on holiday in Cornwall who met a magical creature on the beach with the power to grant wishes. He will also star in the upcoming Netflix period drama series Medici.

In this exclusive interview, read on and discover how the young actor balances his crazy schedule, the crazy things fans would do for him and his dream to become a lead actor in Hollywood.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JOSEPH SINCLAIR using HASSELBLAD

Tell us a little about your story. Who is William Franklyn Miller?

Well I’m an actor and model who was born in England but then lived in Australia and Ireland but am now back in England. I’ve moved a lot haha. I was first scouted for modelling when I was 4 years old in London and started working straight away. I’ve worked all over the world and for so many different brands and magazines that it would be impossible to name them all.

Acting started for me a bit later with commercials in the UK, and then in Australia, I was cast in a mini series with Guy Pearce and then I got a role in Neighbours. I then landed a role on the Warner Brothers / CW series Arrow, and recently I had a small role in a movie coming out next year called Four Kids And It. My biggest role then came next playing Giovanni Medici in the RAI/Netflix TV series Medici, the Magnificent. This is coming out at the end of the year. I’ve also been in a Brat Network teen Youtube series, which was great fun to film in LA.

We now live in Somerset in Devon and I go to school online with real lessons at Interhigh, and I have a really supportive mum and dad who take me everywhere and help with lines and auditions and have a brother and sister who are 12 year old twins. They are so understanding and supportive I really couldn’t do any of this without them. I’m lucky and I love them loads. I’m also a competitive swimmer and train 6 times a week with a local swim club, I play the guitar and love playing on my Playstation.

STYLING: KRISHAN PARMAR, GROOMING: DAISY HOLUBOWICZ using KEVIN MURPHY & LAURA MERCIER wearing SCOTCH & SODA

You have a huge following on Instagram. How has the power of social media affected your life?

It definitely has affected my life. I am so grateful to everyone that follows and supports me so I try to engage with them as much as I can. It’s hard keeping on top of it all, as I’m also in my final year of GCSE’s and have both acting and modelling commitments. It’s really cool when I get recognized out in public, but you can also get a lot of negative attention too. I just try to keep doing what I love and ignore the bad stuff. Acting and modelling is just something I do, it’s not who I am.

As an actor, what type of roles and genres do you normally gravitate towards?

I’ve had so many audition’s but I seem to get my bookings for more dramatic roles rather than comedy, I love it when I have to try and be a bit sinister too. I’ve been so close to so many big roles and just missed out in the last cut, but I definitely think the right role will be there one day. Sometimes I look too old or am too tall for roles (I’m 6’2) and then sometimes I’m too young and they want over 16 so you can work longer hours. It’s frustrating at times but I love it so will keep at it.

LEFT: Shirt & Pants: LEE RIGHT: Jumper: SCOTCH & SODA — **LEFT:** Shirt & Pants: LEE **RIGHT:** Jumper: SCOTCH & SODA

“I am so lucky to have so many people who support me and follow me in everything I do. I just want to thank them so much and hope they understand that I can’t always reply or talk to everyone but I really do try my best. The fans that I have are just so nice and there never seems to be any drama and I love that they are like that.”

What can you tell us about your role in the upcoming Netflix series, Medici?

Well it’s the third and final season of the period drama. I can’t tell you anything about the plot or I’ll be in trouble, but it’s just an amazing series. We filmed all over Italy for 5 months last year and I have to say it was the best experience ever, working with some amazing actors, writers, producers and the director Christian Duguy was so great in guiding us all to get our best performance. The costumes and the locations are just so cool and everyone has to go watch it when it comes out.

Are you anything like your character, Giovanni?

No not really. I suppose he does what is best for his family and I always hope I do too, but being set in the 15 Century is so different to now, you will have to watch the series to find out more about him

What was it like working alongside talented actors such as Daniel Sharman, Synnove Karlsen, Rose Williams and the rest of the amazing cast?

The cast were just so helpful and I learnt so much from just watching them work and talking to them. It’s something I will definitely use moving forward. They each approached it in different ways, and were really nice to me on set and off.

What’s your dream project?

Ohh wow that’s a tough one. I’d love to do a thriller or something futuristic, but to be honest I’d like to try out lots of different roles but a major lead in Hollywood would be my dream.

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

Hardworking, honest and down to earth. Sorry that’s more than three words

If you weren’t modeling or acting, what else would you being doing?

My main focus is on acting and modeling right now, but I am still at school doing GCSE’s and A level’s next, as I am so aware the industry is so tough, and I’d like to design my own clothes label or having something to do with fashion, but I am a pretty quick swimmer right now too, and play the guitar so who knows. I am luck not to have to make a decision right now.

What are your goals for the future?

I would love to try to make the world better, I know it sounds so cliché, but plastic in the ocean really upsets me, I was on a yacht this Summer and you see it washed up on beaches or just floating. I would love to do something to help.. and it really frustrates me that governments don’t do a lot to help the homeless, everybody says it is more complex than giving them housing, but it is so bad that people live on the streets in our cities and have o where to call home – If I am lucky enough to make a career out of this I would love to do something to help seriously.

What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever done for you?

I have so many amazing fans and they are so generous, and I’ve had loads of chocolates sent from Japan, Germany. Shoes, clothes, jewelry, but the weirdest thing was probably a gift sent from a girl in Brazil who made me cupcakes. By the time they got to me they weren’t in the best shape and I have no idea how they even got through customs. But they are all awesome.

LEFT: Shirt: ALL SAINTS RIGHT: Jacket: DIGBY JACKSON — **LEFT:** Shirt: ALL SAINTS **RIGHT:** Jacket: DIGBY JACKSON

What is one message would you like to give to your fans?

I am so lucky to have so many people who support me and follow me in everything I do. I just want to thank them so much and hope they understand that I can’t always reply or talk to everyone but I really do try my best. The fans that I have are just so nice and there never seems to be any drama and I love that they are like that.

If you were a book, what kind of book would you be and why?

I’d be a book without an ending because I really think the best is yet to come. Watch this space!! If I had to choose a book it’d be the book by Dr Seuss “Oh the places you’ll go.” Its all about the ups and downs of life. It’s cool.

If you had the chance to help any specific charity / organization, which one would it be and why?

I would love to help the https://www.mcsuk.org Plastics in our oceans are a real problem and I really think by doing a few simple things everyone can make a difference and this charity teaches people how they can help everyday.

Catch William Franklyn-Miller in Four Kids and It next year.