Peter Pan star Noah Matthews Matofsky, 15, becomes first actor with Down’s syndrome to land major role in Disney film and credits A-list co-star for giving him his best day on set

Peter Pan actor Noah Matthews Matofsky is making history as the first actor with Down syndrome to land a major role in a Disney feature film.

The British teenager, 15, stars as Slightly, leader of the Lost Boys, in the new Peter Pan adaptation for Disney+.

The actor credited Jude Law – who plays Captain Hook – with giving him one of his best days on set as the A-lister surprised the child actors with ice-cream.

Speaking to The Sun, Noah said: ‘One of my favourite days was when Jude hired an ice cream van and brought it on set, then served us ice creams himself.’

Noah threw himself into the project and particularly enjoyed filming the action scenes, such as one where the pirate ship is overturned.

Achievement: Peter Pan actor Noah Matthews Matofsky is making history as the first actor with Down syndrome to land a major role in a Disney feature film

Role: The British teenager, 15, stars as Slightly, leader of the Lost Boys, in the new Peter Pan adaptation for Disney+

He said: ‘It was an amazing experience, I had my own trailer and made lots of fantastic friends. We all learned sword fighting, which I loved.

‘I had lots of lines to learn very quickly, but it was exciting and I really enjoyed it.’

Noah, who boasts an encyclopaedic knowledge of film, learned Disney were casting for the film through inclusive talent agency Zebedee.

The actor sent in an audition tape and then met with director David Lowery, with Noah’s mother Kathryn saying they bonded over a mutual love of Lord of the Flies.

Filming meant the family had to be apart, with Noah and Kathryn flying to Vancouver while his father Warren stayed home with sister Lola who was doing her GCSEs. 

Noah said he hopes to go to drama college and would like to be a role model for other people with Down syndrome who would like to perform.

He added the conditon should not hold anyone back, saying people should ‘always dream big.’

The film is a live-action adaptation of the beloved 1953 Peter Pan animated classic where has been re-interpreted many times over the decades.

Filming: The actor credited Jude Law – who plays Captain Hook – with giving him one of his best days on set as the A-lister surprised the child actors with ice-cream

Career: Noah, who boasts an encyclopaedic knowledge of film, learned Disney were casting for the film through inclusive talent agency Zebedee

The story follows Peter Pan, played by Alexander Molony, who never ages and is always up for fun. 

He takes his new friend Wendy, played by Ever Anderson – who is the child of actress Milla Jovovich and director Paul WS Anderson – to Neverland to see where kids have fun.

That is where Wendy has the adventure of a lifetime as she meets the devilish Lost Boys, the plucky Tinkerbell – played by Yara Shahidi – and stumbles upon beautiful mermaids as well as the captivating Tiger Lily.

Jude Law is the latest in a line of actors to take on the role of Captain Hook, who stalks the magical Neverland pursued by the crocodile that ate his severed hand while seeking to avenge his injury on Lost Boy Peter Pan. 

Classic: The film is a live-action adaptation of the beloved 1953 Peter Pan animated classic where has been re-interpreted many times over the decades

Previous incarnations of Hook have been played by the likes of Dustin Hoffman and Jason Isaacs.

The decision to do a live-action version of the Peter Pan story came following the success of live-action versions of other Disney animated classics such as The Jungle Book, Aladdin and The Lion King.

Peter Pan & Wendy – which is coming out during Disney’s 100 year anniversary – will stream April 28 on Disney+.

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