Ruby Barnhill (born 16 July 2004) is an English former child 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.

Ruby Barnhill
Barnhill in 2016
Born (2004-07-16) 16 July 2004 (age 19)
OccupationActress
Years active2015–2019

Early life and career edit

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]

As of 2024, Barnhill's acting career seems to be on hiatus as she has not had any roles 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."[citation needed]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
2016 The BFG[4] Sophie Nominated – 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
2018 Mary and the Witch's Flower Mary Smith voice
English dub
2019 Princess Emmy[5] Princess Emmy voice

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
2015–2017 4 O'Clock Club Isobel 14 episodes

References edit

  1. ^ Wrap Staff (16 December 2014). "Steven Spielberg Casts 10-Year-Old Ruby Barnhill as Lead in 'The BFG'". Thewrap.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  2. ^ "How schoolgirl landed a giant role in Hollywood's BFG", telegraph.co.uk; accessed 25 November 2016.
  3. ^ "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. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  4. ^ "Steven Spielberg -- Stick With Me Kid … I'll Make You a Quick Million!". TMZ.com. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
  5. ^ "Studio 100 Announces International Cast for 'Princess Emmy'". Animation Magazine. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2018.

External links edit