Until just recently, Irish teen actor Charlie Reid was an obscure performer working in amateur theater, but now, the 14-year-old has been cast alongside one of the most sought-after actors in cinema today, Academy Award Winner Olivia Colman. The two are set to star in a new feel-good film from director Emer Reynolds called Joyride, which follows Joy and Mully, two troubled souls who forge an unlikely friendship and set off on a rambunctious adventure.

“Olivia was complimenting him on his natural talents and how wonderful she thought he was for the part,” said Reynolds to The Guardian. “He has what Mully has, that really beguiling combination of confidence and vulnerability. She was giving him advice about shooting out of order and learning his lines, and that they’ll be an ally for each other. The film is based on their relationship [as] the main characters.”

The film is being financed by Embankment films, which recently worked with Colman on Florian Zeller‘s acclaimed film, The Father. For her performance in that film, Colman earned her second Oscar nomination.

“He totally blew me away,” Colman said of Reid to the Guardian. “He’s clearly got it all. I’m going to have to really up my game. I can’t wait to work with him.”

Joyride marks Reynolds first narrative drama feature. The director is mostly known for her 2018 Emmy-winning science documentary, The Farthest: Voyager in Space. Reynolds said she was “incredibly privileged and honoured” to be able to cast Colman in the film, and voiced her excitement in helping Reid kickstart his acting career.

“I feel confident that this will be the beginning of an incredible journey for him,” Reynolds said.

Meet MULLY! ☘️☘️☘️🚗🚗🚗🎥🎥🎥 https://t.co/fwpOwY8vCe

— Emer Reynolds (@emerpreynolds) June 20, 2021