I can’t comprehend that I’m in the film of ’Les Miserables.’ It’s one of those dreams I thought would be unattainable for someone like me, who came from nowhere.

Samantha Barks made this remark in connection with her casting as Éponine in Tom Hooper’s 2012 film adaptation of the stage musical Les Misérables. Barks had already played Éponine in the West End production (after gaining wider notice on the BBC talent show I’d Do Anything), and her transition from stage to a major, star-studded film was widely covered in interviews and press around the movie’s release. The quote reflects her sense of disbelief at achieving a role she had long admired, and it frames her career breakthrough as a leap from relative obscurity into a globally visible production.

Samantha Barks is expressing disbelief and gratitude at achieving a career milestone: appearing in the film adaptation of Les Misérables. The remark frames her casting as the realization of an “unattainable” dream, emphasizing the perceived distance between her origins (“came from nowhere”) and the prestige of a major, globally recognized production. The quote highlights a familiar narrative in performing-arts culture—talent and perseverance overcoming background and limited access—while also underscoring how rare and transformative such opportunities can feel to the individual who receives them.