British Horror Studio Help Make-A-Wish Dream Come True
- Adam Williams
- Jul 30
- 4 min read
Upcoming film studio British Horror Studio were coming to the end of production on their upcoming horror Mr. Whispers, and in an incredible turn of events, they've managed to make this film magical for one young horror fan.
British Horror Studio Help Make-A-Wish Dream Come True
Whilst shooting in Fife, Scotland, British Horror Studio co-founder Lawrie Brewster received a special request from Make-A-Wish in the hopes of making young horror fan Rebecca Hopkins' dream come true. Rebecca has been an avid horrorphile for a number of years, and has always dreamed of starring in a horror film. Thanks to Lawrie Brewster, Rebecca will be front and centre with a starring role in the upcoming horror film.
For context, Rebecca Hopkins, from Girvan, Scotland, is a courageous young girl living with a serious illness and a deep passion for horror films. I'm told she's particularly fond of 90s classics such as Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer- just want to pause and say this kid has got some great taste in horror! As I said above, her heartfelt wish was to appear on screen in a real horror movie. Thankfully, with a little co-ordination and a lot of heart, Lawrie Brewster and his producing partner Sarah Daly, along with the entire team at Hex Studios, made that dream a reality.
The film Rebecca will be starring in is a retro-inspired supernatural horror in the spirit of the iconic, genre re-defining film The Blair Witch Project. The upcoming horror, titled Mr. Whispers, follows a group of filmmaking students, led by Kathryn Hale (played by rising British horror star Megan Tremethick), who break into an abandoned cinema to investigate a sinister urban legend. The ghostly figure of Mr. Whispers, a porcelain-faced spectre said to be responsible for the disappearances of local children, forms the terrifying heart of the story. Of course, Rebecca took all of this in her stride as she joined them for a full day of shooting in Hex Studios.
“Since the heyday of Hammer and Amicus, there hasn’t been a dedicated British horror studio operating from permanent premises for over 40 years. We knew we were in a position to help. It’s never cheap to activate a film set. But it was worth every penny. Rebecca’s joy and talent brought something really special to the production. It was an honour to help make her dream come true.” - Laurie Brewster
Sarah Daly liaised closely with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, co-ordinating long-distance transport to ensure Rebecca could travel safely to the studio, as well as being well looked after and be comfortable throughout the entire day. Anyone's who's worked on a set knows how long and gruelling it can be. Whilst the excitement happened in front of the camera, it was Daly who made the day possible behind the scenes through thoughtful organisation and tireless support.
The entire cast and crew were also more than happy to volunteer their time to support Rebecca’s wish. Megan Tremethick took charge of Rebecca’s make-up and costume, helping her transform into a ghostly character for a haunting scene filmed in the studio’s atmospheric stone chambers. Co-stars Dorian Ashbourne, Novarro Ramon, and Sam MacMillan were all on set, offering encouragement and creating memories Rebecca and her family will never forget.
Even the titular character Mr. Whisper made an appearance, and whilst initially a little unnerved by his cracked porcelain mask, Rebecca soon found him more amusing than scary. Both Brewster and Daly praised the Make-A-Wish Foundation, noting that their liaison officer felt like part of the family by the end of the day.
The day was rounded off nicely finishing with a well deserved pizza feast, Rebecca's favourite of course, generously provided by Domino's & support by local businesses and charities. This included Fife Creative Studios, who also waived their fee to make this dream a reality and joined in with the celebrations. Sarah Daly also ensured Rebecca left with a bundle of gifts, including plush toys of Hex Studios’ infamous Owlman, clothing, books, and other treats for her and her sisters.
An entire scene was filmed with Rebecca at the centre. Furthermore, not only will she appear in the final film, but she will also receive an official acting credit and IMDb listing – her first steps into the world of horror cinema. You can check out the rest of the photos from her first horror role below. It sounds amazing and looks like it was one hell of a day! And very much like Rebecca, I'm excited to check this one out when it's ready. For more information on Mr. Whispers, you can head to the films Kickstarter Page or the British Horror Studio Website.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is a charitable organisation that grants life-changing wishes for children and young people aged 3 to 17 living with critical illnesses. With the help of generous donors and volunteers, the Foundation creates extraordinary experiences that bring hope, strength, and joy to families during difficult times. For more information, or how you can support them, please head to the Make-A-Wish Foundation Website or Make-A-Wish International Website.
