In a surprising twist of fate, Wesley Byrne, a Manchester-based street cleaner who bears an uncanny resemblance to British pop star Ed Sheeran, has made his debut in the film "How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" at the prestigious 75th Berlin International Film Festival. This article delves into Byrne’s unique experience, from being discovered online to stepping onto the silver screen.

A Tale of Discovery and Transformation

The story begins with director Florian Pochlatko, whose film explores themes of reality and normality. During the casting process, Pochlatko stumbled upon Wesley Byrne on social media. The striking similarity between Byrne and Sheeran caught the director’s attention, leading him to envision Byrne as the perfect fit for a character named Ned. Despite having no prior acting experience, Byrne was invited to join the cast, which includes Luisa-Céline Gaffron, Elke Winkens, Cornelius Obonya, and Felix Pöchhacker.

Pochlatko flew Byrne to Austria for filming. Initially skeptical, Byrne soon found himself immersed in the world of cinema. He recalls the moment he received the script and the subsequent Zoom call with the director. “I didn’t have much acting experience, but Florian made me feel comfortable,” Byrne shared. One of the most challenging aspects for Byrne was avoiding eye contact with the camera during scenes. Additionally, he had to prepare for a shirtless scene by getting fake tattoos to resemble Sheeran more closely.

One of the standout moments in the film involves a sex scene, which Byrne handled with professionalism and grace. An intimacy coordinator ensured that everyone involved felt safe and respected. Another memorable scene references "The Matrix," where Byrne’s voice plays a crucial role. Channeling his inner Morpheus, Byrne delivered lines inspired by the iconic film.

An Actor's Perspective: Embracing New Opportunities

Reflecting on his journey, Byrne expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work with such a talented team. Despite the challenges, he found the experience enriching and enjoyable. When asked if he would consider more acting roles, Byrne remains open-minded but realistic about his limitations. “I’ll see what comes my way, but memorizing scripts is not my strong suit,” he admitted with a laugh.

Beyond the film, Byrne’s resemblance to Sheeran has been both a blessing and a curse. For over a decade, people have mistaken him for the singer, often asking for autographs or selfies. While it can be annoying at times, Byrne generally handles these encounters with humor and patience. He even served as Sheeran’s body double for a ketchup advertisement, meeting the singer in person and finding him to be genuinely kind.

Looking ahead, Byrne hopes that more people will watch "How to Be Normal and the Oddness of the Other World" and appreciate the hard work of everyone involved. His experience serves as a reminder that opportunities can arise in unexpected places, and sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of luck and willingness to embrace new experiences.