Sidcup actor Jake Davies, born and raised in Fen Grove, has a starring role in new film X + Y, in cinemas Friday. 

With his career just beginning to take off, he spoke to PATRICK GRAFTON-GREEN about his latest role, his chosen profession and acting alongside his heroes.

In X + Y, Jake shares the screen with the cream of British acting talent - Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins and Eddie Marsan all star in the film, which tells the story of an English mathematics prodigy, played by Hugo's Asa Butterfield, who travels to Taiwan to take part in a Maths Olympiad with other smart youths from around the world. 

For the young actor - who plays Luke Shelton, a schoolboy vying for a place on the British team - it's a first major role in a feature film, having previously had a small part in Toby Jones project Leave to Remain in 2013.

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The former Beths Grammar School student, who first began treading the boards at the Bob Hope Theatre in Eltham when he was 11, told News Shopper: "Being in X +Y, it made me think that things are kind of possible.

"You don't really imagine you can be in a film in the cinema - but opportunities like that, they do come up.

"The film is a coming of a age story following an autistic kid, from the age of eight or nine to 16.

"Part of the film is based on a Maths Olympiad. My character is trying to compete for a place on the British team."

Jake counts his co-stars Rafe Spall and Eddie Marsan among his acting heroes, and added: "To begin with it does feel pretty daunting.

"You try and play it cool when they talk to you, and try not to think about it too much or indulge it.

"But overall it was amazing to see how they work."

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Jake Davies (right) stars alongside Asa Butterfield in X + Y

The 21-year-old, who attended the BRIT School in Croydon and has been acting professionally since 18, has also just finished a run in Yen at the Manchester Royal Exchange, a play penned by playwright Anna Jordan which received rave reviews.

Talking of his profession, he said: "You get to see and do things that you cannot get away with in real life or get the opportunity to do in real life - there is a real liberation in that.

"It is pretty amazing to be able to do things that you cannot get away with and feel things that I cannot feel in my own life."

For Jake, it looks like passion and perseverance is beginning to pay off.