“My life started with Heartstopper”

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for unconventional stories and rising stars, I wholeheartedly recommend adding “Heartstopper” to your watchlist. The journey of this young actor from Saturday acting clubs to leading roles in blockbusters like “Rocketman” and “His Dark Materials” is nothing short of inspiring.

Add Heartstopper to your watchlist

When did you know you wanted to be an actor? Your first on-screen job was at the age of eight!

As a passionate film enthusiast, my journey into this captivating world was an organic and unusual one. On Saturdays, I attended a local acting club where I stumbled upon an agency. This serendipitous discovery led me to venture into the realm of television commercials.

You transitioned from starring in commercials to portraying the younger Elton John in the movie biography Rocketman, as well as lending your voice to Pantalaimon in His Dark Materials.

The thing is, every step you take in your career feels like the biggest you’re ever going to take. I remember when I did my first TV job that wasn’t a commercial — it was an episode of Casualty.
I went to a BBC office in Cardiff and they gave me a tag with my name on it, which I kept for years because it felt like a huge thing! Getting Rocketman was ridiculous. I’d worked with the director Dexter Fletcher on a B&Q commercial and apparently he thought that the kid from the B&Q ad might be good for the role… My whole career has been a whirlwind.

Have you ever had a Plan B?

While it might seem a bit daring, I believe that over-reliance on a backup plan could hinder the success of your primary plan. My parents have always been incredibly encouraging, never forcing me into anything but simply taking joy in seeing me pursue my passions. However, they definitely wanted me to complete my A-levels…

How has landing Heartstopper changed your life?

This extraordinary voyage has been nothing short of surprising, and at no point did it seem like a guaranteed path to success. Frankly, few anticipated that it would thrive. The opportunity to play this role was electrifying for me, marking my initial step into leadership. As a child actor, I found myself somewhat shielded from the world while filming; meanwhile, others my age were out partying! I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, but it did have its limitations in certain aspects. However, stepping into Heartstopper feels like the beginning of a new chapter in my life – an incredibly beautiful one.

Being on the top of the call sheet comes with responsibility. Do you enjoy that?

It’s truly gratifying to step into a work environment where you feel confident and believe you belong. Sometimes, I struggle to find my footing in social settings, but when I’m on set, I know exactly what role I play and what I’m meant to contribute.

Are you not as outgoing as Nick?

Experiencing large group scenes filled with numerous extras can be overwhelming, as if every gaze is focused on you. Worse still, they even brought in a real rugby team, but none of them seemed inclined to pass me the proverbial ball – it’s not surprising, really! They had to instruct them to pass to Kit, only for the instructions to change to “Get it to Kit! Get it to Kit!” on the next take. And just when things started to settle, they shouted, “Action!” again and changed his name to Nick. That was an incredibly stressful experience!

There’s been controversy that the new series has sex scenes. How do you feel about them?

We continue to handle romantic encounters with a touch of “Heartstopper” charm, keeping things light and hopeful. The narrative delves into the challenges of figuring out one’s readiness and navigating life as a young LGBTQ+ individual, a subject matter that is not as widely portrayed in the industry. Typically, these representations can lean towards advanced or highly sexualized depictions. However, this approach is more about sweetness and tenderness instead.

2024-09-27 16:05

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