A Stoke Newington-born actress filmed alongside Hollywood household names just streets away from her Hackney home for an upcoming crime thriller.

Zawe Ashton takes the only leading female role opposite action hard man Jason Statham in the film Blitz, released next month.

The former pupil of Stoke Newington’s William Patten Primary School, who still lives nearby, was on set in Sandringham Road, Dalston, for many of her scenes as policewoman and recovering drug addict Elizabeth Falls.

“So many of my old school friends walked past, it was hilarious,” she told the Gazette.

Blitz, based on the novels by Ken Bruen, tells the tale of tough cop dispatched to take down a serial killer who has been targeting police officers.

Zawe said Jason Statham, who plays Detective Sergeant Tom Brant, was just as tough as he looked.

“But I wasn’t scared of him,” she said.

The 26-year-old, who has already starred in TV series Misfits along with long running crime drama The Bill and US hit comedy St Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold, said her latest film was the most harrowing.

“I did a hell of lot of research for the role and spoke to real people, so I wanted to honour their stories and the time that they gave me.

“I’m really glad that the only woman in the film has her own journey.

“I just really hope that people can see behind the all the violence to see there’s a thread about flawed police officers finding redemption.

“I’m feeling really positive about it.”

Blitz is released in UK cinemas on May 20.