British actor Woody Norman, 17, has spoken about the challenges of playing a teenage King Richard II in Paul Greengrass's historical drama "The Uprising", including a damaged crown that gave him daily headaches and heavy royal robes that weighed almost as much as he does. The film, which had its premiere at the DGA in West Hollywood, dramatises the 1381 Peasants' Revolt and stars Andrew Garfield as a fictional farmer who leads a rebellion against the young king, giving Norman's remarks added interest as the film generates awards-season buzz.

Norman described the on-set experience as a "power trip", with supporting actors bowing and addressing him as "Your Highness", and recalled how Garfield put him at ease before their first scene together, a confrontation involving a scroll shoved into the king's mouth. He also reflected on his breakout role opposite Joaquin Phoenix in 2021's "C'mon C'mon", which he credits with turning him into an actor and inspiring him to go vegan after Phoenix challenged him to give up meat. Norman is next set to appear in the British horror thriller "Skag & Bone" alongside Malachi Kirby, Tuppence Middleton, Conrad Khan and Kola Bokinni.