For Robyn Pennington’s first feature film, she plays Sawyer Derringer in the new release of Heads of State, with John Cena playing her on-screen father Will Derringer, and Robyn attended the film premieres in New York and London, and Heads of State has had a worldwide Amazon Prime release. In 2022, Robyn had her first professional stage role playing Little Cosette in Les Misérables in Salford, and went on to be part of the Child Ensemble in Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse and an Urchin on the UK Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Manchester. As a dancer, Robyn was a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023, where she reached the live Semi-Finals with The Pixiebelles alongside her fellow Elm Arts students. We talked to Robyn about playing Sawyer Derringer in new feature film Heads of State with John Cena, being an Urchin on the UK Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in Manchester and her experience on Britain’s Got Talent as part of The Pixiebelles.

How would you describe your character Sawyer Derringer in the new feature film Heads of State?

She’s smart and she’s cheeky, she listens to her dad’s conversations when he doesn’t know she’s paying attention. She has a really good relationship with all the people who work in her house, because her daddy has a lot of people working there.

What was Sawyer like to play and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the character?

I enjoyed it, I loved being American. I had to practice my American accent. I had a dialect coach on set who said I did such a good job and they weren’t needed. I got lot of high fives during my scenes and everyone said I did such a good job. They couldn’t believe it was my first film. She was a very fun character to play.

I came home from school and my mummy sat me down and I had no idea what she was going to say. She just came out and said it: “you’ve got the part in the film as sawyer”, I screamed, we all screamed. I was so excited and couldn’t wait to get started.

How was it meeting and filming with John Cena, who played your on-screen father Will Derringer?

It was exciting. I wasn’t too sure who he was so my mummy had to show me when I got the job.

I first met him in the trailer when I had my hair and makeup done. The lady said ‘let’s go and meet your dad’. He was so nice and made me feel really welcome. He was soooo big.

I couldn’t believe it when they said I had to sit on his shoulders, my mum had to lift me on because he is so big. I didn’t know where to put my hands at first when he stood up and I was on his shoulders. I felt like I was going to fall off so I put my hands on his head really tight and messed all his hair up. The more takes we did I got used to it and just held on to his shoulders.

How did you find the experience on set of your first feature film?

I was nervous at first. But once I met everyone I really felt comfortable. Everyone was so nice and friendly. They kept checking I was ok. I had my own trailer and could have any food I wanted when I wanted. Filming in Blenheim Palace was amazing. It was so beautiful. Ilya (Naishuller), the director, was funny and kind and really helpful showing me what he wanted me to do in each scene.

What was it like attending the Heads of State premieres in New York and London, and how does it feel now the film has been released on Amazon Prime worldwide?

I loved it so much! New York was so hot, the premiere was during a heatwave so we had to make sure we had our fans! I loved getting dressed up and having my hair done. There was a lot of people there and I got to meet lots of them. The red carpet was amazing. Photographers shouting at me to look at them. I felt like a princess.

I was so lucky I got to watch the film in New York, it was crazy seeing myself on that big screen. Everyone clapped when I came on and the people sitting next to said ‘go Robyn’.

Earlier this year, you played an Urchin in the UK Tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Palace Theatre, what was it like performing in the show for the Manchester leg of the tour?

It was one of my favourite performances because I got to be with my friends from Elm Arts Company on stage.

The flying car was so good, I hope I get to play Jemima one day.

What did you enjoy most about being part of the Child Ensemble of Oliver! at Leeds Playhouse and how was it working on the production?

The dancing. The dances was so good and we rehearsed for a long time before the shows started. I met so many talented performers and we are still in touch now. I had to be carried on stage in a coffin and play a dead girl which was scary but after the first show I loved it. The costumes were so good and all the team and chaperones who looked after us were so nice. I still miss them all.

What do you remember from your first professional theatre role as Little Cosette in Les Misérables at The Lowry in Salford Quays in 2022?

I just remember being nervous but I was ok after the first show. It was my first time on a big stage. I got to experience Les Mis with my friend Karis Musongole, which I absolutely loved.

I remember the handle of the bucket breaking on one of my scenes and I had to carry on like nothing happened. Singing on stage by myself at seven years old is something I’m very proud of.

We understand you have also performed in pantomimes, can you tell us about this?

Yes, I’ve played in Jack and the Beanstalk, Cinderella and Rapunzel. You don’t get much time to rehearse for pantomimes but it was so fun and we laughed lots during the rehearsals and show.

Do you have any favourite memories from being a contestant on Britain’s Got Talent as part of The Pixiebelles that you can share?

Meeting the judges and Ant & Dec was my favourite bit. They were so nice.

I remember when our drama teacher told us we were going on Britain’s Got Talent. She gave us all a piece of paper that has one word each written on it and it spelt it out. We all screamed and cried. It was our friend Pixiebelle’s dream to go on BGT and it was coming true for her.

How did you prepare for your audition and Semi-Final performance, and how was it performing on live TV in the Semi-Finals?

We did soooo many rehearsals.

It was so much fun. It was scary but I got to perform with all my friends. The Semi-Final was amazing!! All the bubbles, costumes and props we had on stage was so good. It was sad we didn’t get through to the Final, but we were so happy we got that far.

What were the Orange, Hisense and Volkswagen ID Buzz commercials like to film for?

I love doing adverts.

Orange iPhone was fun. We got to go to Belgium but we lost our luggage.

VW was amazing, we got to go to Portugal, but when I was filming I got a little travel sick and was sick in the brand new car!

Hisense was fun because I played a spoilt little girl and stomped out of the kitchen. I remember all the crew laughing at me and saying I played it a bit too well.

Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get into it?

My mummy said I’ve always sang since I was little. I started a drama class run by Ferne Collins (Elm Arts Company) when I was three years old and my first show was The Greatest Showman and I’ve loved it ever since. I started at Elm Arts one day a week and now I train four times a week. I absolutely love it.

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?

I like the new Snow White film. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Matilda The Musical is my favourite theatre show. The songs are so catchy. Bruce is my favourite. I love the Creeped Out series. It’s a bit scary though.

How do you like spending your free time?

I love playing in the garden with my little sister. We do gymnastics and film silly videos together. I love doing skincare, dancing and singing all the time.

Do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about, and what are you hoping the rest of the year brings for you?

No projects coming up yet but I’m busy doing tapes and recalls. My agent Lauren Kelly Casting is always working hard and finding me new roles and projects.

I hope I get to do another feature film sometime soon.

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