Dancing On Ice star embarks on huge career move after landing role in British blockbuster

Two years ago, Dancing On Ice star Vanessa Bauer made no secret of the fact that she was pursuing her childhood dream of becoming an actress after taking up acting lessons. And now it looks as though her grit and determination has finally paid off as the professional skater, now turned actor, has landed herself a role in Netflix's Thursday Murder Club.

Vanessa, 29, will be playing herself in the hugely anticipated film. She will be seen skating alongside Tom Ellis, who plays a former boxer turned reality TV star, similar to that of her real life.

In 2023, during an interview with Express.co.uk, she revealed: "I have wanted to act before I knew ice skating was a thing. I asked my parents that I wanted to become an actress but I couldn't do it all. "

She continued: "I had to decide where I wanted to invest my time, my parents money, so for me to be able to now pursue my acting dreams is a dream come true."

Vanessa, who at the time was paired with Made In Chelsea star Miles Nassir, said that her dad had always encouraged her to pursue her dreams, which is why she undertook the arduous task of acting coaching everyday.

She explained: "I know that being an actor, it takes a lot of work, and only because I'm on a TV show, I don't expect to get a Hollywood deal straight away. I wanna know that I'm the best possible actress that I can be in order to deserve my spot in the casting audition."

The pro skater first joined Dancing On Ice back in 2017 and was crowned winner with her celebrity partner and former X Factor contestant, Jake Quickenden.

Vanessa went on to say: "I bring something so unique to the acting industry that can hopefully merge all of my past experiences together with my movie background and my ice skating background, my competitive skating background, from Germany with an Indonesian mother."

Thursday Murder Club is based on the worldwide hit crime novel by presenter Richard Osman.

And it is not only directed by the highly acclaimed director Chris Columbus, who has directed films including Harry Potter and Home Alone, but it was produced by the legendary Steven Spielberg.

When the cast was announced to the public it was met with a mixed reaction as a few fans of the novel felt that certain actors failed to embody the fictional characters' traits.

And it seems as though Pierce Brosnan also had his own doubts over whether he was perfect for the role. In a recent interview, he said: "I never asked Chris why he cast me. I thought: 'This is Ray Winstone, bro.'"

The 72 year old former James Bond plays the role of Ron Ritchie in the film.

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