I was a little terror at school but one teacher helped me into acting

Cillian Murphy did not have to look far for inspiration for his latest role as a headteacher running a boys' reform school.

- BY MATT ROPER and MARC BAKER

While the Peaky Blinders star admits he was a "little sh*thead" as a pupil, he comes from a long line of educators, including both his parents.

And he credits one schoolmaster, William Wall, who believed in him despite his antics, with setting him on the course to stardom.

The Irishman says: "I was always messing and causing trouble.

"But I also had this really excellent teacher in school, my English teacher, who gave me brilliant insight into literature and theatre, and encouraged me towards music and acting. So I kind of feel like I had every angle covered just through my life growing up."

Cillian was speaking as his new movie, Steve, premieres ahead of its October 3 release on Netflix.

The project, which was produced by the actor's own company and filmed in Bath, Somerset, unfolds over 24 hours, capturing the challenges headmaster Steve faces in maintaining order among his students while grappling with his own mental health issues.

Cillian says he sees the movie as a love letter to his parents, Brendan and Jane, who gave him a deep appreciation of teachers' dedication and hard work. He explains: "My mum and dad are both retired teachers.