Bury St Edmunds-born actress Millie Gibbons gearing up for leading role in film after move to New York

A young actress from Suffolk is gearing up for a leading role in a new feature film after moving to America to follow her dreams.

Millie Gibbons, who was born in Bury St Edmunds and spent much of her life growing up in Melton, journeyed across the Atlantic to New York aged 19.

The 23-year-old was offered a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she trained for three years before graduating in February, 2022 and becoming a professional actress.

Millie is now preparing for a lead role as Janette Peters in Justin Souriau Levine’s Back To The Present, which begins production in June.

Despite having a keen sense of adventure, she experienced a range of emotions after touching down in the Big Apple.

Millie said: “I’ve always loved the idea of a challenge and putting myself in a situation where I’m going to be out of my comfort zone, a bit like throwing myself in with the sharks and telling myself to swim.

“I was very nervous and excited moving here, especially as I didn't know anyone so it was kind of like survival mode almost. I felt very numb at the time actually, it was almost like a pinch me moment.

“I felt very grateful too though as I wouldn't have been able to move here without my family’s help and their support. I had to sacrifice spending time at home as I’ve been here almost four years now, so I kind of felt guilty about leaving my family at home as l feel like I've missed out on time with them, but I'm trying to make them proud.

“I know both of my parents (Sarah and Andy) have found me being away quite difficult as Facetime and other things can only go so far, but I know when something good happens like when I’m in a show, I know how happy it makes them feel.”

Millie attended Brandeston Hall as a youngster and when she was 11 years old, she discovered her love for acting during a production of Bugsy Malone at the school.

Fast forward over a decade later, and she is delighted she pursued her dreams even though she still doesn’t feel completely at home in America yet.

“Honestly, I feel like a fish out of water. When I'm here, I’m that British person, or the Brit,” Millie said.

“Living here in the city is so different to what I'm used to from growing up in the outdoors being so close to greenery and rivers, with people here taking the mick out of me that I'm such a country girl.

“I do play it to my advantage sometimes because the Americans love the Brits, and it's a great conversation starter but it is very different to what I'm used to, but overall it’s a good feeling. The lack of proper English pubs here really doesn’t help though, I miss a really good pub lunch.

“With New York though, there is a certain buzz about the city as everyone is happy, and they just want to enjoy every day. It's an infectious feeling. There's such a feeling of determination as well, people are here to work hard and hustle, it's very motivating.”

Filming for Back To The Present will be in Arizona, Utah, New York and France with Millie delighted to be playing a major role in a film she nearly missed out on.

She said: “I'm super excited for it to be honest. It's really cool, because when auditioning, I was going for a different character but the casting directors felt I didn’t suit the character.

“Rather than turning me away though, because they liked me and loved the British charm I supposedly have, they gave me a different role so I'm the only British character in the film which is nice. “

With Millie’s decision to pursue acting, she has discovered a lot about the industry including the positives and negatives of being in her position.

“My favourite thing about acting would be stepping into someone else’s shoes and learning about that person. I find it inspiring and it’s always been so interesting to me to learn about different perspectives, cultures and life experiences that I may not have had myself.

“I've loved the research of turning myself into another person and that’s my favourite thing. We only have one life, so the fact that acting can open the door to so many different people, and the ability to discover more about experiences, is something that is so rich and exciting to me.

“However, the industry is extremely tough and you have to have a really thick skin as you face a lot of rejection and criticism. I'm used to it now but starting out it was hard and I just felt I had to stay motivated and surround myself with people who support me.

“I remember I did an audition not long ago and there were over 3000 people that auditioned and I was told that I got down to the final two. I kinda wish they hadn't told me that because I then didn’t get it which was really disheartening.

“It’s not like I'm going to work everyday and I've got a guaranteed paycheck as it's more like if I don't get this role then I'm not going to make next month's rent. It can be very tough but ultimately that’s the price I pay for something I've always wanted to do. It’s bittersweet.”

Moving forwards, Millie wants to get her foot in the door of the acting industry and would love to be in a series where she can play a character for a long period of time.

In the long run, she would like to go back to Suffolk but for the meantime, she is looking forward to following her career and all the ups and downs that comes with it.