The actress portraying Kate Middleton in The Crown once played a grumpy whip-wielding tyrant.
Meg Bellamy is seen scowling as Miss Trunchbull – the demonic head in Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
She was in her early teens and, her old performing arts tutor says, was already a star in the making.
Claire Louise Rosser tells the Sunday Mirror: “The part is usually played by a man in drag.
“It is not Meg’s casting, but she said she wanted to be challenged.
“She was absolutely brilliant, she stepped up to it and took that risk. It was a significant moment as it made her really stand out.
“It takes a lot for students to recognise the better, more interesting characters aren’t always the title roles. They have a different insight that takes them far.”
Claire, 36, reckons 19-year-old Meg will be perfect to play Kate, the newly annointed Princess of Wales.
She adds: “Her actual sensibility is so similar. I think Kate comes across as a genuine beautiful person – she is statuesque, beautiful and seems humble.
“Meg is similar and ridiculously humble. She was very popular, the type of student you had to encourage to come forward.
“She wasn’t loud or a drama diva – she was quite reserved, she had amazing attendance, and was always on time and would do what was asked.
“What’s amazing is that she took the initiative to do a self tape for The Crown and it’s become one of the stories you rarely hear of in the industry – a huge unknown plucked for a massive production. That reflects Meg.”
Meg joined Stagecoach amateur dramatics in Wokingham, Berks, when she was four and Claire has known her since she joined as principal back in 2014.
Students pay around £9 an hour for coaching.
That is set to pay off handsomely for Meg, who will become a global name thanks to her Netflix role.
But Claire believes Meg won’t let fame go to her head – and says her family, especially mum Sue, will keep her “so grounded”. Claire adds: “They’re such a sweet, loving family. She will stay private, she’s a sensible person and will approach all this carefully and think it all through.
“Her mum will be an amazing support as well.”
Meg – a former head girl at St Crispin’s school in Wokingham – reached out to Claire after landing the Netflix role.
She messaged with thanks “for igniting her passion in drama”. Her acting pals are thrilled at her success and Claire, from Ashford, Surrey, hopes Meg will inspire youngsters to work hard and follow their dreams.
She says: “We don’t train them to become Netflix or The Crown actresses, it’s more about confidence, being yourself and taking performing arts skills into life. We are very excited.”
Meg will begin shooting the sixth and final series later this year. The fifth series is due to be shown next month.
