Acting graduate stars in quirky British rom com

A Manchester Met graduate has landed her debut on-screen role in upcoming British cinema rom com Finding Emily, filmed in Manchester and produced by the makers of Bridget Jones’s Diary and Love Actually.

BA (Hons) Acting alumna Julia Rogers graduated in 2024 and will feature as a prominent LGBT character in the Working Title Films production, distributed by Focus Features.

The film centres on lovesick musician Owen who, when given the wrong number for his dream girl, teams up with a driven psychology student to find her. Over the course of their search they meet a number of Emilys, none of whom turn out to be the one they are searching for.

Rogers will play Emily Weston, one of the ‘false Emilys’. As an LGBT actor, she is especially pleased to play an LGBT character on screen.

She said: “It was everything I’d dreamt of since I was twelve. My first day of filming was on my 23rd birthday, so it was quite overwhelming but in the best way. It felt like everything in my life that I’d worked towards as an actor fell into place at once. 

“It was such a joyful filming experience. It was a big set and there were a lot of moving parts which felt overwhelming at times, but the director, the crew and all the cast were very playful which made it feel more relaxed”.

Rogers graduated from Manchester School of Theatre where the Acting BA focuses on training students in the craft before preparing them for entering the profession in their final year. Other recent graduate successes have included second year student Finn McParland landing a role  in a powerful BBC Drama and graduate Hopey Parish debuting in a new Netflix adaptation of Pride and Prejudice.

Rogers added: “I learned so much from my course and I don’t think I would have been able to audition and perform on screen in the way I did without having had that experience at drama school.

“I think the film is very true to Manchester which I think was important. I’m not from Manchester but I feel quite a strong connection to the city, having studied here. I feel quite settled here now and so I feel a slight sense of pride about the city.”

Sofia Jones, Programme Leader and Senior Lecturer said: “Julia was always a hard-working, playful and talented student who went above and beyond. Julia’s commitment to her craft and generosity in collaboration set her apart, making her a dream to teach. She is also a gifted writer whose voice enriches everything she touches. I’m incredibly proud to see her bring Emily Weston to life on screen.”

Finding Emily is scheduled for release in cinemas on May 22, 2026.