Chelmsford student Tallulah Byrne is currently appearing on screens across the globe in the new Netflix thriller Stay Close.

Tallulah, who attends New Hall School, plays the part of Laura alongside leading actors including her on-screen mother Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, Richard Armitage, Sarah Parish and Eddie Izzard.

The gripping eight-part series has been in the network’s top three since its release on New Year’s Eve, and Tallulah appears in seven of the episodes.

Stay Close is 15-year-old Tallulah’s first TV role, however she is a regular on the stage at New Hall School, performing lead roles in their popular drama productions. She is one of the School’s Special Talent Award holders, in recognition of significant potential and proven commitment to drama.

A talented actress, singer and dancer, Tallulah played Tomika in School of Rock in London’s West End in 2019 and was also cast in The Braille Legacy at Charing Cross Theatre in 2017.

The creative arts are a thriving area of New Hall School’s co-curriculum with a packed daily programme of music, drama and dance clubs, tuition and productions. Tallulah recently played the part of Ned Alleyn, a seemingly pompous leading actor of his day, in the School’s production of Shakespeare in Love, and previously shone in her role as one of the Von Trapp children in The Sound of Music.  Tallulah has secured the role of Nancy in the next production, Oliver, which will be performed in May in New Hall’s Eaton Theatre.

Filming for Stay Close took place in Manchester between February and August last year. Of the experience, Tallulah commented: “It was really nerve-racking as I have never done anything like it before, but everyone was so nice and welcoming, and the whole experience was amazing. All my friends are very excited about me being in it.”

“My favourite scene was when we did a TikTok dance. It was fun as the whole [screen] family was in the scene as well as Eddie Izzard, in character as lawyer Harry Sutton.”

Head of Drama at New Hall School, Andy Williams, said: “Tallulah has received some lovely reviews in her roles here and we are immensely proud of her screen debut. In class, I am struck by her spirit of learning and thirst to do better. She also encourages others and is very gracious and generous with her time and skill. We eagerly await news of what the future will bring for her.”

Alongside a successful academic programme, New Hall School provides excellent facilities and training for budding sports stars and fantastic music and performing arts provision.  The Catholic boarding and day school for students aged 1-18 has a distinctive ‘diamond model structure’ and a strong ethos of pastoral care, which supports students in their endeavours, allowing them to achieve success in a wide variety of fields.