Please, may we have some more? Tottenham youngster has an acting pedigree

One of the tidbits that emerged in Tottenham Hotspur’s 2-1 friendly loss to Juventus in the International Champions Cup was a little-known factoid about Spurs’ academy graduate Will Miller. The ESPN commentators noted that Miller is not only a promising football star: he’s also a television star!

Miller had a break-out role in the BBC’s 2007 mini-series adaption of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. As an 11 year old, Miller played the title character in a televised production that also featured international movie star Tom Hardy and Timothy Spall, best known for playing Wormtail in the Harry Potter series.

We at Cartilage Free Captain are flabbergasted that we somehow weren’t aware of this incredible fact. How did we miss it?

Miller, now 20, made his first appearance and first start for Tottenham’s senior team against Juventus, and comported himself quite well. He was one of the brighter spots in an otherwise dismal first half against the Italian champions. While not really a left back — he’s captain of Tottenham’s U21 squad and by all accounts a quite talented midfielder — he showed a spark of creativity while out of position, regularly pushing forward. He even had a penalty shout waved off by the match official in the first half.

Miller’s acting got plaudits too. His performance as Oliver Twist was referred to as “sweet but credible,” but the New York Times called Miller’s acting “likably plucky,” but “a bit opaque.” BRB, cancelling my subscription.

IMDB lists Miller, but states he hasn’t had an acting role since 2010, which is disappointing. Now he needs to ask the Beadle Gaffer for more playing time. Will Miller might just be the best footballer-actor since Matt Smith hung up his boots at Nottingham Forest to go traipse around time and space in a TARDIS.

Please, Poche, can we have more?