Florence Pugh’s breakthrough came when she won the role of Abbie in Carol Morley’s *The Falling*, despite being discouraged from pursuing acting and fearing she would not succeed. The article presents her decision to attend an open casting call as a pivotal moment that launched a career later marked by major film roles and awards recognition.

Pugh was still in sixth form and had mainly acted in school productions when she auditioned for the film, which co-starred Maisie Williams. She played a pupil involved in a mysterious fainting outbreak at a girls’ school, and her performance earned strong reviews and the Best British Newcomer award at the BFI London Film Festival. The experience led to further opportunities, including her leading role in *Lady Macbeth*.