It's not every day that an actor gets his first starring film role – and then gets to go to the UK premiere around the corner from his home.

Edmonton actor Billy Wright plays the lead in 1960s thriller Blood and Carpet, which was partly filmed in London and opens at ArtHouse in Crouch End this week.

“This is definitely the biggest thing I have done," says the 41-year-old.

“I’m hoping it may get me some recognition and maybe an agent.”

Mr Wright landed the part after Edmonton director Graham Fletcher-Cook, famous for films The French Lieutenant’s Woman and Sid and Nancy and brother of actor Dexter Fletcher, spotted him on an acting website and asked him to audition.

The actor plays Lyle, the husband of Annie, played by Walthamstow actress Annie Burkin, and the film opens with them attempting to clean blood off their living room carpet and discussing how to dispose of a body in the bathtub upstairs.

The film also stars Haringey actor Frank Boyce, former EastEnders star Nicola Stapleton and 300 film star Andrew Tiernan. It was shot over just ten days for less than £3,000.

The idea for the story came out of an acting workshop run by Mr Fletcher-Cook and a few months later he had written the script and found locations in Hastings, Camden and Hackney.

It’s first screening was at at the Marbella Film Festival in October and the cast and director now hope to create a buzz with UK audiences.

You may recognise Billy as the ‘wonga’ shouting star of the Envirophone ads but he is hoping to have now struck gold himself with this film.

He said: “I would love to win a BAFTA one day. I admire actors like Bob Hoskins and Ray Winstone. Londoners who are just honest actors.”

Blood and Carpet will be screened at ArtHouse, Tottenham Lane, Crouch End, on February 12 and 16. It will be available to watch online from February 16. Details: bloodandcarpet.com, arthousecrouchend.co.uk