David O Selznick considered that Nova Pilbeam had the potential to be a star for the world market. He wanted to cast her as Mrs De Winter in "Rebecca". It didn't happen. Instead, Nova Pilbeam is a forgotten actress with an odd name, except for those who have seen her in a film.

Further stage roles followed and lead to her auditioning for Robert Stevenson at Gaumont British in 1934. She obtained the leading role in "Little Friend", the story of a marital break-up through a child's eyes.

When the film was released, Pilbeam was a sensation. Kinematograph Weekly praised the "brilliant performance by the newly discovered English protegee" Gaumont-British executives were impressed and signed her to a seven year contract, promptly casting her in Hitchcock's "The Man Who Knew Too Much". This was an entirely different role as a sophistcated teenager who is kidnapped. Again she shone. When Michael Balcon, head of Gaumont British, went to the USA in September 1934 to publicise British films, he took two stars with him, Jack Hulbert and Nova Pilbeam.

Although she was under contract, her studio had the common problem of not knowing how to cast a teenager and consequently she did not appear in another film until mid 1936. The film was "Tudor Rose" and was the jewel of her career. Nova played the 16 year old English queen Jane Grey, the unwilling pawn of court intrigue, who reigned for just nine days and was beheaded at the Tower of London. Directed by Robert Stevenson, Pilbeam looked glorious in the sumptuous Tudor costumes and was extremely touching in the role. She subsequently won the Film Weekly medal for the best performance by a performer in a British Film.