A woman from Brighton will star as Amy Winehouse in a new film about the singer's life.

Back To Black, expected to be released next year, stars Marisa Abela from Rottingdean. 

Marisa rose to fame as Yasmin in the hit BBC2 drama Industry.

She attended Roedean School from 2008 to 2014 where she starred in many productions including Tristan and Yseult. 

Marisa is now set for stardom after director Sam Taylor-Wood cast her as Amy in the BackTo Black, playing opposite Eddie Marsan as Winehouse’s dad Mitch. 

Marisa was a day girl at Roedean school and although she enjoyed acting her teachers recall she was focused on studying law at the time. 

She is currently filming the biopic outside Winehouse's first flat in Camden, but she learnt her craft at her Brighton school. 

Ross Barrand, deputy head of Roedean School, said: “Marisa always loved performing, but I remember that she also loved history and wanted to study law after school.

"She changed direction quite late to pursue acting and has clearly made a massive success of it” 

Marisa was a regular on the Roedean stage and staff there who taught Marisa still remember her engaging performances.   

Sophia Bartlette, assistant director of music remembers Marisa’s performance in Tristan and Yseult in her final year at Roedean.  

She said: “She was such a lively performer and a commanding stage presence – she really brought the stage to life.” 

Marisa’s early ambitions at Roedean were to become a human rights lawyer, but after encouragement from her drama teacher to pursue acting and join local theatre school The Theatre Workshop, Marisa eventually followed her heart to audition for RADA and deferred her place at UCL. 

Marisa's next outing will be as part of a stellar cast, including Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, in Greta Gerwig's Barbie blockbuster.