TV&Satellite Week has been invited on to the set of new Netflix movie The Beautiful Game, and after watching the Top Boy actor film his latest project on an artificial pitch in east London, it’s easy to understand why he dreamt of turning professional as a youngster.
Instead, Ward chose a career on the screen, and this week he leads an impressive cast – including Bill Nighy and Callum Scott Howells – in this feel-good movie about the England homeless football team’s journey to the Homeless World Cup in Rome.
‘I played at a decent level,’ says Ward during a break in filming. ‘But when I realised I wasn’t going to be a pro footballer, I stopped and I didn’t play again until we started preparing for this film. We went to boot camp to work on our skills and I realised how much I missed it.’
OVERCOMING STIGMA
The story follows Ward’s character, talented but troubled striker Vinny, whose obvious skill is noticed by Mal (Nighy), the England homeless football team’s coach, who dreams of leading a group of struggling players to glory at that summer’s tournament.
Denne historien er fra March 23, 2024-utgaven av TV & Satellite Week.
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Denne historien er fra March 23, 2024-utgaven av TV & Satellite Week.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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LOVE WAR
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Champions League
Five British clubs kick off the tournament's new-look league phase
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On the fringe
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HEX appeal
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Radio reunion!
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Calamitous chat
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Maltese teaser
Three sisters-in-law team up to solve a mystery on the holiday island
Runaway train
Joe Cole and Alexandra Roach star in a real-time thriller set on a hijacked train