I’m an actor with Down’s syndrome working with Disney – a Hollywood A-lister surprised me on set with gift
WIELDING a sword and leaping from the deck of a pirate ship, 15-year-old Noah Matthews Matofsky had a ball on the set of new Disney movie Peter Pan & Wendy.
But the British teenager was also making history — as the first actor with Down syndrome to land a major role in a Disney feature film.
Noah, from Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, stars as Slightly, the leader of the Lost Boys in the remake, which features an unrecognisable Jude Law as Captain Hook.
After landing the role in 2021, Noah spent six months filming in Vancouver and Newfoundland.
“It was an amazing experience, I had my own trailer and made lots of fantastic friends,” he tells The Sun.
“We all learned sword fighting, which I loved.
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“I had lots of lines to learn very quickly, but it was exciting and I really enjoyed it.
“I had to go to the make-up trailer every day for them to put mud on my face.
“We would sing You’re Welcome from the film Moana. We even did the rap part.”
The latest remake of JM Barrie’s classic novel, which is out on April 28, stars Alexander Molony as Peter Pan and Ever Anderson as Wendy.
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The teenager threw himself into the action scenes and says he particularly loved a tricky stunt which sees the pirate ship overturn.
“All the pirates fall into the water but Noah was left hanging upside down from a cannon.
“They built a special £60,000 rig to support him,” explains mum Kathryn Matthews.
‘First acting job’
As a dad of seven, Hollywood star Jude is used to being surrounded by kids and went out of his way to spoil the young actors on the movie.
“One of my favourite days was when Jude hired an ice cream van and brought it on set, then served us ice creams himself,” says Noah.
Landing the role was a dream come true for the schoolboy, who boasts an encyclopaedic knowledge of film.
He first learned Disney was auditioning for the remake through inclusive talent agency Zebedee, where he was registered as a model.
After submitting audition tapes, he was invited to an online meeting with director David Lowery — and wasn’t shy in putting himself forward for the top spot.
“Noah and David bonded over their love of the original Lord Of The Flies film, which has a similar vibe to the feral Lost Boys,” says Kathryn.
“It’s amazing as this was Noah’s first acting job and he was chosen from thousands.”
The breakthrough role meant splitting the family, with Kathryn and Noah flying to Vancouver while dad Warren stayed at home with Noah’s sister Lola, who was taking her GCSEs.
“It was terrifying and exciting, because we’d been in lockdown so we’d barely left the street,” says Kathryn.
“Then suddenly we had this chance to go to Vancouver for six months. It was such a great opportunity, we had to go.”
Kathryn went with her son for three months, then swapped places with Warren.
For Noah, who was schooled on set, the trip was an adventure. He loved the swimming pool where they stayed, and the snow-capped mountains.
“I liked Vancouver and Newfoundland so much,” he says.
“One time, Dad and I went to a place for cheesecake and jazz. It was amazing — but I missed my sister a lot.”
Big sister Lola, 18, is Noah’s biggest fan and was overcome with emotion when the family first saw the movie at a special cast and crew screening.
“Lola loved it,” said Noah, laughing.
“She cried when the Disney logo came up at the beginning of the film. She is very proud of me.”
Kathryn, who is looking forward to the star-studded premiere on April 20, is also bursting with pride.
“Seeing him on the big screen was incredible,” she says.
“It’s a dream for him because he’s always been crazy about film.
“For him to be in this big movie is amazing, but Noah takes it in his stride.
“I’m so proud of him. It was such a magical experience — there aren’t many people who get to go to Neverland every day.”
Now back at school, Disney’s latest star has become a celebrity.
“My friends loved the trailer and give me amazing compliments,” he says.
“A million people have asked for my autograph. I’m a bit of a hero.”
Sue Moore, UK Kids Lead at Zebedee Talent, said: “Zebedee represents people with differences and our ethos is to push our talent forward regardless of whether the role is for a disabled person or not.
“We were delighted when Noah was given the role.”
Noah, who attends Phoenix Theatre classes at the weekends, now hopes to go to drama college and is happy to be a trailblazer for other young people with the condition.
Last week, he was over the moon when asked to be an ambassador for the charity Down Syndrome UK.
“Noah is very proud of his extra chromosome,” said mum Kathryn.
“As captain of the Lost Boys, Noah’s character Slightly shows that Down syndrome never needs to hold you back.
“It’s not a learning difficulty — it’s a learning difference, and we should embrace differences.”
Noah’s movie role comes just a month after James Martin became the first actor with Down syndrome to star in an Oscar-winning film, An Irish Goodbye.
Noah is keen to put across the message that the condition doesn’t need to hold anyone back.
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“You can do anything,” he says. “Always dream big.”
- Peter Pan & Wendy premieres on Disney+ on April 28.