Wolverhampton actor stars in film alongside Billie Piper and Riz Ahmed
A Wolverhampton-born actor is hitting the big time – and the big screen – starring alongside Billie Piper in a new film.
City of Tiny Lights will be given a special preview screening on Wednesday at Cineworld in Broad Street tomorrow (weds), before being released nationwide on April 7.
Black Country lad Antonio Aakeel plays a young version of one of the story’s main characters, a detective called Lovely.
Also starring Riz Ahmed, who appeared in Nightcrawler and Jason Bourne, the movie is based on a novel of the same name.
It follows Tommy, played by Ahmed, who meets prostitute Melody, Piper, in a story described as ‘utterly original modern noir’.
Antonio, aged 21, went to Dunstall Hill Primary School in Wolverhampton before going to Wodensborough Ormiston Academy before studying A-Levels at Mathew Bolton College in Sutton Coldfield.
After doing some acting courses, he found an agent who helped him find acting work.
He has been in Skins, Doctors and played a small role in feature film called The Contract.
He said: “I almost didn’t get the role in City of Tiny Lights as I was initially up for the role of Riz Ahmed’s younger self - and after six gruelling auditions they offered me another character they felt I suited it more.”
He added: “I play the younger version of one of the films central characters. His name is Lovely.
“And as the film travels between the past and the present you become aware the characters are affected by something that happened to them when they were 17.
“He’s a very typical teenager. He’s charming, popular and leads the ‘cool gang’ they are all in. He’s also incredibly sharp.”
On appearing alongside Billie Piper, he said: “At first it was a little daunting considering I’ve admired and become familiar their work for so long.
“Once you get over that part - you realise they are very real and down to earth people, doing a job just like everybody else.
"It was an education to watch them work and see how they do what they do.”
Antonio has also recently landed a role in a new feature film called Eaten by Lions. Filming is to start in Manchester next week.
