Originally from Britain, Highmore was born into a showbiz family—his father starred in the ‘80s television drama, “Howard’s Way,” and his mother was a high-powered talent agent whose client list includes Imelda Staunton. He made his acting debut in “Women Talking Dirty” (1999), playing the son of a woman (Helena Bonham Carter) recently estranged from her commitment-phobic French lover. Highmore then played a young King Arthur in the made-for-TV miniseries, “The Mists of Avalon” (TNT, 2001), a revisionist take on the Arthurian legends that depicted the women of Camelot as the real power behind the throne. In another television miniseries, “Happy Birthday Shakespeare” (BBC, 2001), he played the son of a tour bus driver (Neil Morrissey) who dreams of moving his family to Stratford-upon-Avon, while his mom (Dervla Kirwan) gets sick and tired of her husband’s money making schemes.
After a split-second appearance in “Jim Henson’s Jack and the Beanstalk: The Real Story” (CBS, 2001), he returned to the big screen for the family-friendly adventure, “Two Brothers” (2004). Highmore played the son of a French administrator who refuses to believe that his new pal, a tiger cub, might be dangerous after having tasted blood. Following a major part alongside Kenneth Branagh and Eddie Izzard in the straight-to-video fantasy, “Five Children and It” (2004), Highmore landed the role that propelled him into the limelight in “Finding Neverland.” Playing the real-life Peter Llewelyn Davies, the inspiration for author J.M. Barrie’s beloved character, Peter Pan, Highmore gave a stunning and mature performance as a boy coping with the death of his father, the illness of his mother (Winslet) and the friendship of a down-and-out author (Depp) stepping perilously into his father’s shoes.
More than his ability impressed the enigmatic Depp—the two established a lasting bond, as well as a mutual respect and admiration. In fact, despite the emotional depths of the story, Highmore felt the saddest part was closing shop once production was finished and going separate ways. His dream was to star in other film with Depp, and after being suggested for the lead role as Charlie Bucket in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” his dream came true. Starring as a young lad from a poor home who wins one of five tickets for a tour of the closed-off factory, Highmore almost pulled the rug from under Depp’s feet as the plucky and likeable Charlie, solidifying himself as fine young talent.