Young Copnor actress, 9, lands first major film role in upcoming British thriller Nemesis
![Lexi Gatenby from Copnor has a role in upcoming feature film Nemesis. Pictured: Nine-year-old Lexi in a shot from the film](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjM2MWE1ODU1LThkYTAtNDUwMS1iNDM4LTVlZmFhYjQwM2JlNzpmOTAzZjFlNi05YTllLTQ5ZGEtOWZlYS1kNGY1OTAyNmIyNzk=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Lexi Gatenby from Copnor has a role in upcoming feature film Nemesis. Pictured: Nine-year-old Lexi in a shot from the film](/img/placeholder.png)
Copnor Primary School pupil Lexi Gatenby lines up alongside actors Billy Murray, Bruce Payne and Steven Berkoff in crime thriller Nemesis, with her father Andy Gatenby also taking a role.
The thriller, which features Billy Murray as a crime boss, sees Lexi play the younger incarnation of one of the central characters.
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Hide AdLexi said: ‘I didn’t find it hard, I found it enjoyable. I’ve acted in little adverts and other things like that but I’m really proud of this role in Nemesis as it’s my first big film.
![Lexi Gatenby from Copnor has a role in upcoming feature film Nemesis. Pictured: Lexi with her father Andy Gatenby and producer Jonathan Sothcott](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmYyM2FhMzczLTY3NmEtNGVhYi04MzVlLTI4NmYzMTAzOWNmNjphZjAxZTc5ZS0wNGEyLTRhNWMtYTg3MS1iZmFhNDQ0YTllZTY=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Lexi Gatenby from Copnor has a role in upcoming feature film Nemesis. Pictured: Lexi with her father Andy Gatenby and producer Jonathan Sothcott](/img/placeholder.png)
‘I can’t wait to see it when it comes out, that will be a big moment for me. I don’t think my friends at school will be jealous, I think they’ll be happy. I haven’t told them about the film so it will come as a bit of a surprise!’
Hoping to become a full-time actor when she is older, Lexi added: ‘If I had to give advice to any other children who wanted to become an actor, I would say you have to be brave and be ready to work hard.’
Producer Jonathan Sothcott was very complimentary about Lexi’s professionalism and her potential to become a successful actor in the future.
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Hide AdHe said: ‘She was perfect casting for the role as she looks so much like the younger version of Zoe, the character in the film. Lexi was perfect, a real little professional.
‘She was very natural and took direction very well. The day of filming her part it was pouring with rain and freezing, and we were filming on a beach! Despite the cold she didn’t complain once.
‘She has all the attributes necessary to become a good actor and she’s really fearless which is very important because often children become nervous when put in front of a camera.’
Lexi’s performance was a memorable moment for her father Andy, now an actor himself following a career in professional boxing.
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Hide AdSupportive Andy said: ‘I’m extremely proud of Lexi, this film is a really big deal for her. Acting is a hard business and very tough, but I think she’s got so much natural talent it would be a crime if she didn’t pursue it as a career.’
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