A TEENAGER who was considered for a leading role in the Harry Potter movies is dreaming of Hollywood stardom after winning a place at the world’s number one drama school.

Former Merchant Taylors’ pupil Charlotte Rothwell, 19, will follow in the footsteps of silver screen icons such as Lauren Bacall and Robert Redford by attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

The Scarisbrick actress flies out later this month to start the two-year course which she hopes will lead to fame and fortune.

Charlotte said: “I have been acting since I was four and this is a dream come true for me.

“The school certainly has an impressive list of alumni and I feel honoured to have a place there. Kim Cattrall also studied at the school and she got a part in a film while she was a student there. So this really is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Charlotte cut her acting teeth with the Pamela Bardsley School of Dance and Drama, in Southport.

She was a member of Pamela’s acting agency and was considered for the part of Hermione in the Harry Potter films when she was 10 years old, but lost out because casting directors felt she was too young.