Q&A with OM William Franklyn-Miller

OM William Franklyn-Miller (Great; 2020-22) has achieved a major career milestone, taking on his first leading role in the feature film Young Washington, portraying George Washington. Released in U.S. theatres on 3 July 2026, the American historical drama explores Washington’s early life exploring the experiences that shaped the future Founding Father and first president of the United States.

We caught up with William to hear about his journey to landing the role, the experience of bringing such an iconic figure to life, and his advice for aspiring actors following in his footsteps.

William Franklyn-Miller as George Washington in Young Washington (Angel Studios) 

How did you prepare to play such a well-known historical figure, and what excited you most about bringing this version of George Washington to life?

What excited me the most was that this was such an unknown part of his life. Where did his ambition come from? Who inspired him as a young man? These questions really drew me to him as a character.

Preparation-wise, I flew to Dublin five weeks before we started shooting and really focused my time on understanding his mentality. I read dozens of George’s own accounts, but the majority of his young life is really unaccounted for. One book that stood out to me was Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour. George studied it as a child so that helped me grasp his mentality further.

What did your journey look like to get to this point?

Years and years of persistence and hard work. I’ve auditioned thousands of times throughout my life, and around six of those have been jobs I’ve actually managed to book. I really believe that, with time, the right role will find you - as long as you continue bettering yourself and honing your craft.

Tell us about your filming experience. What are some of your fondest/ funniest memories?

Honestly, the whole shoot was a blast – it was my first ever time being the lead in a feature film. I learned how to horse ride, shoot muskets, and speak in an 18^th-century accent.

My fondest memory, I’d say, was filming the Fort Necessity scene. The set was incredible and made my job very easy. It’s a huge battle and the scale of it just blew me away. I find it’s a lot easier to act when everything around you feels so real.

What advise would you give to any aspiring actors trying to make a career in the entertainment industry?

Persistence. I started out when I was around seven years old but took a step back and focused on my studies at Millfield. I never stopped auditioning behind the scenes, some even with the drama department at school! All it takes is one opportunity and your foot is in the door.

Looking back at your time in drama at Millfield, which productions or performances do you remember most fondly, and why?

I remember creating a practical piece as part of my A-level exam. We all had full creative freedom on it and it really was a blast to work on. We got to dive into the horror genre a lot and it's something I haven't done since! It gave me an early insight into directing but also how to convey emotion even through effects such as lighting and sound. 

What I was really fond of at Millfield drama was the teaching. Miss Fox (Rhian Fox - Director of Dance and Drama at Millfield) helped me through so much and was always so supportive. 

Do you have any other upcoming projects you would like to share with us?

I have a role in a new Netflix series coming out in the next year or so, called The Age of Innocence based on the classic novel by Edith Wharton. Apart from that, I will just be getting back into auditioning again now.

Congratulations to William on this incredible career milestone, taking on such a significant leading role. We wish him every success with Young Washington and the exciting projects that lie ahead. We look forward to following his journey.