Former Liverpool Media Academy student to star in Hollywood blockbuster with Gary Oldman & Gerard Butler

An LMA graduate is being tipped for stardom after landing a role in a Hollywood action thriller starring Oscar winner Gary Oldman and Gerard Butler.

Kieron Bimpson, 23, studied acting with the Liverpool based performing arts and media specialists for two years before his big break.

He will portray headstrong submariner Nichols in Hunter Killer, which tells the story of inexperienced American submarine captain Joe Glass who teams up with Navy SEALS to rescue the Russian president after he is captured by a rogue general.

Oldman, who won Best Actor at this year’s Academy Awards for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour, stars alongside Butler, rapper turned actor Common and the late Micheal Nyqvist, who is most famous for playing journalist Mikael Blomkvist in the original The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo film and its sequels – the same role portrayed by Daniel Craig in the remake.

Kieron is expected to receive more offers of work in big budget movies following his appearance in the film which is due for release in November.

But before the London premiere at Leicester Square, the Liverpool-born actor is joining his former tutors at LMA to celebrate a new £250,000 scholarship fund to give talented young people the chance to follow in his footsteps.

The scholarships, which will be taught by leading industry professionals every Saturday, will give 100 students the opportunity to secure a year-long placement at LMA as part of its 10 year anniversary celebration. Each scholarship is worth £2,500 per person.

Ambitious and hard-working 14-19 year-olds who have a passion for acting, film and production, games and animation, music performance and musical theatre can apply online via the LMA website.

Kieron said: “Giving young people the chance to study for free is amazing. Everybody should have the opportunity to go to a college or a university to develop their talent.

I studied at LMA for two years and I was able to train as an actor, bring my ideas to the forefront with my friends and develop them.

Without studying at LMA I really believe I wouldn’t have become a professional actor. It’s like a family and you learn so much about the craft because the tutors are veterans in the industry.

I’m so proud I went there and it’s because of them I am now in a blockbuster film, which is what dreams are made of!”

Kieron graduated in 2013 and has spent the last five years working on film projects, including starring in the Heart of Nowhere music video for British indie rock band Noah and the Whale.

He is signed to Hamilton Hodell, who represent Stephen Fry, Tom Hiddleston, Hugh Laurie, Rupert Grint and Robert Carlyle.

When he found out he had landed the role of Nichols in Hunter Killer, he said he was “jumping around so much my mum was worried something bad had happened”.

Kieron added: “I used to get really nervous going for interviews. When I went to Twickenham Studios in London for my audition I wore a blue shirt and blue trousers because that’s the closest I had to a submariner’s uniform.

“When I was there I could see posters for A Hard Day’s Night, starring The Beatles, and The Italian Job, which were both filmed there among many others, so it was very daunting.

“But when my agent phoned up and I was told I had the part I was over the moon. I have about five or six scenes with Gerard Butler. He’s a lovely guy and very focussed, but was always nice to everyone on set.

“I didn’t have any scenes with Gary Oldman, unfortunately, but he is one of my heroes. He’s one of the best British actors ever.

“Everything he’s in is amazing. I did see him often in the lunch queue but we haven’t spoken yet. Hopefully, I’ll meet him at the premiere in London.”

LMA, which has two campuses in the city, on Duke Street and Hope Street, has achieved a growing reputation for refining raw talent into young, skilled professionals who can work at the highest level.

Since opening its doors in 2008 more than 80% of its 3,000 students have gone on to work in their chosen industry.

Principal Richard Wallace said: “Kieron has achieved so much since graduating from LMA. To now be in a film with Gary Oldman and Gerard Butler, among other veterans and new talent, is amazing.

“Hunter Killer looks like a great action movie and I can’t wait to see it and watch Kieron on what will be the first of many amazing roles for him. He has a natural born acting talent and we are so pleased to have been able to work with him and help him develop.

“Our new scholarship fund has been established to help us support more budding media professionals. Whether they are actors, musicians, gamers or film-makers we want to provide the platform to help them develop their craft and achieve their dreams. We look forward to welcoming everyone on 1^st September.”

Students can apply for the scholarships online at https://www.lma.ac.uk/lma-scholarships and details of courses available at LMA can be found at www.lma.ac.uk.