MUMBAI: British actress Lucy Punch wowed the writer-director with a screen test and secured the role in Allen's newest film that Kidman withdrew from.

The relatively unknown, who starred on the CBS series The Class and had roles in Hot Fuzz and Ella Enchanted joins Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins in the yet untitled project.

It is reported that Punch will also appear in Young Americans a comedy scheduled for release in January.