Teen actor Max Pirkis played the midshipman Lord Blakeney in the Peter Weir film
Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Pirkis was cast in the role after 
meeting with director Peter Weir, and participating in an audition with other 
prospective midshipmen, including fellow cast member Max Benitz.

Pirkis has played the violin since the age of 6, and he is presently studying  the 
saxophone.  His school work includes French and Latin, he has performed in school 
drama productions and is an avid soccer and cricket fan.   Pirkis has accompanied his 
family on treks through the Himalayas and the Andes Mountains.   He marks his second 
trip to the Galapagos Islands for his role in Master and Commander: The Far Side of 
the World, having visited previously with his family.

Max more recently  appeared in the  BBC Series Rome as "Octavian" during 2004-2005.  
Pirkis lives in London with his parents, his sister and two dogs.