Lee Braithwaite, whose first professional acting role saw them share the screen with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield, described the experience as “very fortunate.”
Braithwaite, who grew up in Harrogate, made their on-screen debut in We Live In Time, playing Jade, a commis chef working alongside Pugh’s character, Almut, a young chef diagnosed with cancer.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better first film experience,” Braithwaite said.
Speaking about working with Florence Pugh, they shared, “It was really inspiring to be able to watch her in her natural environment and how she works.”
Andrew Garfield plays Tobias, Almut’s partner, a particularly special moment for Braithwaite. “He was my favourite Spider-Man actor growing up, so that was such a strange thing.”
In a memorable scene towards the end of the film, all three characters come together for a pivotal moment.
“There was a moment on set during the big culinary bit at the end. We were watching playback on the monitors—Florence was on my left, and Andrew was on my right. I just stood between them and had to take a breath and think, ‘I feel very fortunate.’”
The film premiered at the BFI London Film Festival in October 2024, but Braithwaite had a particularly hectic schedule on the night of the premiere.
“I was doing a play at the National Theatre. I had to walk the red carpet in an outfit I borrowed from the theatre’s costume department because I didn’t have anything to wear!
After the premiere, I rushed back to the theatre and got on stage about an hour later for the evening show.”
To prepare for their culinary role, Braithwaite trained in a professional kitchen.
“They gave me a morning in a restaurant, and I got to shadow the head chef. It was great being in that environment, watching the dynamic and how everyone works together as a team.”
Braithwaite’s passion for acting began at a young age, earning them a drama scholarship at Harrogate Ladies’ College.
“I was able to have one-to-one drama lessons that really ignited that passion in me,” they recalled.
The defining moment for Braithwaite came at 15 while playing the Artful Dodger in a school production of Oliver!
“I was so distraught when the show ended because the joy I had playing that character was over. I knew I had to chase that feeling—it just felt right.”
In 2020, Braithwaite moved to London to study at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).
Now, they are passionate about making the arts more accessible to young people.
“I think theatre is a good foundation, not just for future actors but for developing essential life skills—talking to people, advocating for yourself, and communicating ideas clearly. Acting and theatre bring playfulness and joy. Every child should have that opportunity.”
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