Leo Woodall Really Is That Charming

by

On a chilly January morning in Primrose Hill, London, Leo Woodall, with his infectious grin, strolls into a cozy café. His arrival prompts the staff to return smiles. Spotting me seated at the back, he makes a beeline towards my table, displaying the heartfelt eye contact reminiscent of a climactic moment in a romantic movie. He takes a seat, sheds off his roomy cable-knit turtleneck sweater – which he likens to Colin Firth’s style – smooths his hair slightly before giving it a new tousle, pours water into my glass first, then his own, relaxes in his chair, and confesses that he questions whether he has what it takes for leading roles in romantic comedies.

He tells me he enjoys romantic comedies and comedies, with ‘Notting Hill’ being his top pick,” he clarifies to me. However, he admits, “I’m not sure I’m prepared to delve into that realm just yet,” a claim as improbable as LeBron James questioning his aptitude for basketball. A waiter with a smile on his face approaches us to take our breakfast order. Woodall requests another bottle of still water – nothing else. He’s not hungry in the morning (it’s 11), but suggests I order food if I wish. I inform him that I’m not dining alone. It appears we’ve reached a standstill: Can two adults survive solely on room-temperature water and conversation?

Given the circumstances, it’s plausible, and here’s why: Throughout his career, Woodall has excelled at portraying a particular type of romantic character – the charming rogue that audiences can’t help but be drawn to. In season 2 of ‘The White Lotus,’ he channeled the enigmatic allure of every contestant on ‘Love Island’ to play Jack, an Essex lad who ensnares Portia (Haley Lu Richardson). Despite attempting to harm her and sleeping with several questionable individuals, Woodall effectively transformed a character who promises destruction (in more ways than one) into a tempting fantasy of the vacation fling you might encounter.

In his latest role, he stepped into the lead part of “One Day,” a Netflix miniseries adapted from the 2009 novel and released last year. Globally, it was the streamer’s most-watched English-language show during its first full week on air. He portrayed Dexter, a character who is emotionally crippled, an alcoholic, yet charismatic, whose long-standing relationship with a college friend (Ambika Mod) ended sadly. Regarding these two roles, he humorously noted, “It’s been said that they are both just loveable drunkards.

In his latest venture, “Prime Target” (on Apple TV+), he plays a deep-thinking, solitary mathematician who cherishes intricate equations above all else. Following this, he’s set to appear in another suspenseful drama, alongside Dustin Hoffman, slated for release next year. However, his upcoming role as one of the romantic leads in the final chapter of “Bridget Jones” series seems to keep him tied to a predetermined path.

He idly spins his gold pinky ring, pondering over his reluctance to continually portray romantic lead characters in movies: “I’m not enthusiastic about sticking to playing only romantic or even rom-com characters. My decision is more about…

He intends to mention “the project” and make it clear that he’s willing to take on roles with romantic undertones, but not necessarily be the main romantic character. However, before he could complete his sentence, a group of middle-aged women at a table nearby began singing “Happy Birthday”, and Woodall couldn’t help but join in the celebration.

On your birthday, here’s a cheerful tune for you / A happy birthday melody, sung especially for you, dear friend, I couldn’t help but guess your name! He belted it out loud enough to catch anyone’s attention, hoping to brighten someone’s day. Once the song was over, he clapped his hands and then playfully tapped my recording device, saying, ‘Don’t forget to include this in the tale,’ he chuckled.

I fear he’ll never beat the good-at-rom-com allegations.

28-year-old Woodall, a native of West London, grew up with parents who were both involved in acting – his father as an actor, and his mother studying theater. This exposure likely made it seem natural to him that acting could be a career choice. Apart from considering becoming a gym teacher, he decided to pursue acting. The hit show “Peaky Blinders” played a significant role in solidifying this decision for him. He chose to attend the drama program at London’s Arts Educational Schools to gain experience and confidence, aiming to emerge feeling prepared and competent in his new profession.

In 2019, he completed his graduation and secured an agent, along with a minor role in a single episode of a soap opera. He subsequently bagged a minor part in the independent film “Cherry”, followed by a leading role in the yet-to-be-released sci-fi movie, “Nomad”. This project necessitated him to travel extensively to various countries over a span of nine months. Since then, he’s been on the move. He auditioned for “The White Lotus” while working on a two-week project in Spain for the Peacock fantasy series, “Vampire Academy”. Although he can’t recall the character’s name, it was Adrian. “I wouldn’t call it a passion project,” he admits. “It was more like a way to earn money for Christmas gifts.

After the cancellation of that series, Woodall found himself in a new role for “The White Lotus”. With just three weeks to transform his physique, travel to Sicily, and immerse himself into the lives of the wealthy and reprehensible alongside an exceptional cast, Woodall initially felt he was destined to ruin everything. On the third night on set in Sicily, he admitted to himself that he had already made mistakes, so he decided to seize the opportunity and give it his all. He began to improvise, creating one of Jack’s most notorious arrogant moments (ordering Jägermeister in Spanish, in Italy), a tale he shares in every interview. “I believe I tapped into something within myself on that set that pushed me to be much bolder and take charge,” he explained to me.

He’s currently figuring out the best moments and strategies to take risks in his acting career. Regarding the film “Prime Target,” he admitted, “I initially thought I would undergo a Daniel Day-Lewis-style transformation into this quirky mathematician character, but I abandoned that idea quite soon.” He understood that such a transformation wouldn’t foster a positive working environment: “While I can expand my acting abilities at my leisure, I don’t want to waste everyone else’s time by experimenting with new techniques for personal satisfaction.

In the latest installment, “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,” the theme revolves around an older woman and younger man romance, a common trope in contemporary films. Unlike other movies such as “Babygirl” and “The Idea of You,” which delve into power dynamics, kinks, and escapist fantasies associated with age gaps, “Bridget Jones” presents a relatable Everywoman’s story. Bridget, now in her late 40s or early 50s, is a single mother of two who has been celibate for four years following the death of her husband Mark Darcy (Colin Firth), and Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) being relegated to friendship status. The narrative takes an unexpected turn with the introduction of Roxster, a 20-something park ranger who studies garbage (yes, garbology) and reignites Bridget’s zest for life, love, and passion in general. Despite their significant age difference, the relationship is portrayed as genuine and viable. The film avoids dwelling on Bridget’s perimenopause or making light of Roxster’s lack of knowledge about albums released before 1996.

When it came to selecting the main character, Woodall was the ideal choice, as per Helen Fielding, the author of the Bridget Jones book series and one of the film’s producers. She found his acting in The White Lotus particularly impressive. “He’s not just attractive, which he undeniably is,” she commented over Zoom. “What stood out was that he truly appreciated women and understood them. He wasn’t just playing the role; he still recognized her as a woman.

Rather than creating multiple audition videos like he did for the film One Day, Woodall was invited to Michael Morris’s house by the director a week before his first day on set, along with Renee Zellweger who plays Bridget. It was an exceptionally hot summer day, and unfortunately, Morris’s house had no air conditioning. Woodall admitted he felt nervous. “Anyone can have chemistry,” he says, “but that also means anyone can lack it.” He continued, “I knew they wouldn’t replace her (Zellweger). So if I couldn’t establish the necessary chemistry, I was in a bit of trouble.” With a self-deprecating chuckle, he dropped his head to the side. They chatted casually for an hour or so about various topics such as dogs, as Renee loves them, and Diet Coke.

In the movie, the character’s part essentially boils down to a simple collection of typical romance elements: an endearing first encounter, engaging conversations, a date, an awkward yet tender love scene, followed by a beautiful relationship that is primarily depicted through quick montages. The scenes show Bridget and Roxster enjoying mornings together, taking strolls, dancing, snacking, playing cricket in the backyard, and being kind to children. Despite having limited screen time, Woodall demonstrated a strong commitment to creating a satisfying fantasy for the viewers.

Prior to the start of filming, he made every effort to get into the best physical condition possible. Not long ago, he watched the movie for the first time and was surprised, despite his own efforts, to see that his co-star who portrays Bridget’s other love interest looked equally good despite putting in half the work. “Chiwetel Ejiofor is so incredibly muscular that it really annoyed me,” Woodall says, jokingly. “I worked hard. And then that fellow nonchalantly took off his shirt and looked fantastic.” (In truth, this fourth film could be named Bridget Jones’s Love Triangle.)

Last summer, the filming occurred in London. For the first time, Woodall got his own large trailer. On days they filmed at Hampstead Heath, fans would gather, hoping for a wave (which he always obliged). Most of the experience was enjoyable, with Woodall running around in summery park settings, but some scenes required extra effort to perfect. Amazingly, there’s a scene where he jumps into a pool to rescue a tiny fluffy dog. This moment is significant and filled with “Bridget Jones” references, hinting at Mark Darcy, who was originally modeled after Mr. Darcy (also portrayed by Firth in the BBC adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice”). It took around 20 takes, numerous shirt changes, and a stand-in to pull off.

In the midst of discussing his film set experiences, it strikes me to inquire about the most romantic act he’s ever performed. Pausing briefly, Woodall shares an endearing story from last Christmas. He had a collection of photographs of himself and his partner printed on hoodies and presented them as gifts. I remark that such personalized hoodies are quite a bold gesture. “I only got those for her,” he replies, “I’d never dream of wearing one myself.” He adds, with a hint of laughter, “That would be going too far.

The individual he subtly mentions is actress Meghann Fahy, recognized for her roles in “The White Lotus,” “The Perfect Couple,” and notably “The Bold Type.” They crossed paths on the set of “Lotus” in 2022, and their relationship appears to be following the usual path of on-set romances: During the second season’s release, they started featuring each other on their Instagram posts, causing fans to ponder if they were an item. This was followed by them being spotted together at events and later, photographed on a date night. They went public in 2024. Now, they are so devoted that he prefers not to discuss her during interviews. “Despite my growing fondness for you,” he says with a grin, “I think I’ll maintain my discretion if that suits you.” This light evasion is hard to hold against him.

A growing interest in his private affairs is a more recent occurrence. Woodall expresses, “I would definitely categorize myself as someone who values privacy.” He’s friendly and approachable, but not a secretive hermit. However, after the release of One Day, he felt that his privacy was precariously balanced for some time.

The remarkable success of “One Day” has significantly impacted his professional journey. With increased scrutiny, both positive and negative, comes added benefits. He humorously mentions that he’s taken to dressing better as a result, showcasing his new Blundstones with a flourish. In fact, he owns three pairs of them. However, like many other prominent figures before him, he finds himself contemplating the implications of being an online romantic interest.

Generally speaking, he’s okay most of the time, but becomes uncomfortable when people are disrespectful to him directly, especially in confined spaces like the subway. On tough days, he feels an overwhelming sense of expectation due to being admired by many, which can make self-assessment difficult. He admits that on these occasions, he often wonders, “How do I measure up to this role?”. However, on positive days, he finds the widespread interest amusing and maintains a sense of humor about it, referring to it as one way he stays humble and down-to-earth.

I propose we take a stroll, so we make our way to the park. On more than one occasion, Woodall has to prevent me from dashing into oncoming traffic. Eventually, he informs me that he needs to relax and travel across town for a press event. Only then do I confess that my phone is not working properly and I can’t call a taxi. Instantly, he takes out his phone and orders an Uber. While we wait, he leans on a fence and takes a long, surreptitious drag from his e-cigarette, much like someone sneaking away from a late-night party. The cab eventually arrives, and he manages to give me a warm embrace while placing me in the back seat with surprising grace, almost as if it were rehearsed. To put it mildly, if the Colin Firth–like sweater fits.

In this version, I’ve aimed to make the language more natural and easier to read while preserving the original meaning and tone. The word “immediately” is replaced with “instantly,” and the phrase “whips out his phone” is changed to “takes out his phone.” Similarly, “summons an Uber” is rephrased as “orders an Uber.” The description of Woodall taking a long drag from his e-cigarette is modified slightly to make it sound less confrontational. Finally, the sentence “I mean, if the Colin Firth–esque sweater fits” is left unchanged since it’s a colloquial expression that adds some charm to the passage.

Read More

2025-02-06 16:55