ACTOR Tom-Glynn Carney, who starred in the Oscar winning Dunkirk last year, says he feels as if has won the lottery with every role he gets.

Former Canon Slade School pupil made his big-screen debut in what was one of the biggest films on 2017, starring alongside Tom Hardy, Harry Styles and Cillian Murphy.

He is starring in the new Netflix feature film, The King, for which filming has just started

Based on the work of William Shakespeare, Tom will star alongside some of Hollywood’s biggest stars including Robert Pattinson, Lily-Rose Depp and Ben Mendelsohn, with Brad Pitt amongst producers.

The young star will also play the role of Christopher Wiseman in the biographical drama of Tolkien, based on the life of Lord of the Rings writer, J.R.R Tolkien. The film, which also stars Lily Collins and Nicholas Hoult, is expected to hit big-screens later this year.

“I can’t help but feel like I’ve won a lottery with every job I’ve had. I have learnt a lot from some of the greatest actors and directors of our generation, and to be able to say that aged just 23, is still difficult for me to comprehend," said Tom, who after school went on to study at Pendleton in Salford gaining a triple distinction star in performing arts, the highest possible grade achievable in that area.

He then went on to study at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama, in London, before embarking on a successful, film, TV and theatre career.

Since Dunkirk Tom landed a leading role on the West End’s, The Ferryman, and a starring role in the BBC military drama The Last Post.

The Ferryman opened at the Royal Court Theatre last year. Tom went on and won the Emerging Talent Award at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards for his performance in the play.

But, despite his early successes, Tom is eager to remain level-headed and close to his heritage. He said: “I hope that with a bit of Northern humour and a grounded, humble approach, I will continue working with my heroes and continue to have some pretty cool stories to tell.”

Tom’s first experience in television was in a cameo role in the BBC’s Casualty in 2013, before taking the role as Peter Dawson in Christopher Nolan’s, award-winning war drama, Dunkirk.

Tom, who is a self-confessed "humble northerner" says he feels extremely blessed for his accomplishments so far and thanks those who have helped him along the way, including Pendleton Sixth Form College, where he studied.

He said: “I am under no illusion that I am extremely lucky and fortunate. I am immensely grateful for the people, opportunities and establishments, including Pendleton, which have assisted me in achieving some very exciting things so far.

"I have a lot to thank Pendleton College for, and the staff who were there when I was. The college was largely responsible for the position I am in today. It provided me with skills I use every day, socially and professionally. I met some of my best friends at Pendleton and will always be grateful for that.

"I will remain a keen supporter of its future, growth and development."

His former college is rightly proud of his starring achievements.

Lucy Huntbach, Head of Performing Arts at Pendleton Sixth Form College, said: "Tom was an enthusiastic and hardworking student who grasped every opportunity to develop his skills and perfect his performance techniques.

"We are tremendously proud of his achievements, not least his incredibly powerful performance alongside Mark Rylance in Dunkirk. An extremely moving and impressive film debut. The performing arts team continue to watch Tom's career progress alongside many of our department alumni."

Tom still holds strong connections with Salford and the college, and in March of this year visited Pendleton to put on an acting masterclass for current students. Helping them to get through the challenging and competitive audition process for admission into drama and performance schools.

During his visit, Tom spent time with his former mentor and current head of the centre of excellence for performing and production arts, Neil Bennett, as well as his former classmate, Joseph Meighan, who is now Associate Theatre Director at Pendleton.