Newark, Newark | Interview with Jai Hollis (Leslie)

How did you find out you had the role of Leslie?

It was the 23rd December 2019 and I was in my Christmas pyjamas listening to Fleetwood Mac. I heard my mum walking up the stairs and saying, “I’ll get him now.” I thought, “Oh my god, it’s the phone call.” It was Nathan, and he said, “I can offer you the role of Leslie.” Me and mum freaked out for the whole day. I couldn’t believe it. This was my first ever audition and I got incredibly lucky. I’m so glad because I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect first job. The show is the best thing I’ve done in my entire life and I’m so insanely proud of it.

How much do you connect with Leslie?

He’s such a relatable character to me because I’ve been in that position where you think everything in the world is against you, but you think you know better and you want to do whatever you want, but you can’t for whatever reason. In addition to you not liking yourself and how you look. It’s impatience, adolescence, and figuring out what you want to do with your life. I’m eighteen and still in a part of that moment. Leslie’s picked on yet he thinks he’s better than everyone, but everyone views him as a loser and he is humbled a lot – all this spoke to the Year Eight version of me. Leslie’s in Year Eleven but he gives big Year Eight energy. This character was me at one point, which is very tragic, because while you’re in this state of mind, you can’t see yourself. There is also his really strong relationship with his mother, which I share.

Were you channelling some of your past self?

Unfortunately, I was! It’s a time I would redo – I had no fashion sense at all. You feel small and isolated in high school, especially being queer. I’m not completely like Leslie, though, because he can be a demon at times. We both treat life as if we’re in a movie – he wants everything to be cinematic and to romanticise his own life. So do I. But he’s often harshly reminded there’s real life and real problems he has to deal with.

Which aspects of his character did you most enjoy?

My favourite aspect of Leslie is his attitude and his need to be the centre of attention. That was really fun to play. Also, being able to play a young queer person who is coming of age for my first role. That’s so special to me. As a queer person myself, I related to every single thing in the scripts and, obviously, Nathan knows what he’s talking about. Nathan and I share so many common interests and we had similar experiences in high school. What might not be obvious is – and you might have to look for it sometimes – that Leslie cares deeply for his mum and Amber, and he still loves his dad, even if their relationship is strained. There’s a very sweet and vulnerable kid behind the walls Leslie builds out of insecurity, unhappiness with his appearance, and fear of bullying. He hides away the best parts of himself because he doesn’t want to be vulnerable. There’s a duality where he can be mean and moments where he’s a very caring child. He just gets carried away.

You’re playing this version of Nathan, so did he give you personal insights into himself to help with the role?

Nathan and I grew so close, and we have a really good friendship because we’re so similar. We stayed close during the pandemic – I’d call him to talk about RuPaul’s Drag Race and then I’d ask him about my A-levels. He’s become like an older brother and mentor to me. When it came to Leslie, he trusted me. It’s all on the paper, as well. His writing is so good I could flesh out this whole show in my head. He’s a genius.

How is having Morgana Robinson as your screen mum?

It was insane – she’s probably the coolest person I know. She’s a comedy queen and so talented, I couldn’t believe we were going to be eating lunch together on set. She’s mad in all the best ways. I couldn’t have asked for a better screen mum.

What was your favourite scene to film?

The bowling alley scenes. It was day one, I was terrified, and I walked into the bowling alley and was so shocked we had the whole place to ourselves. I found it so odd. I had a horrendous outfit, but they could have asked me to wear that in every single scene for the entire shoot and I would have agreed. I was so eager. When I realised Nathan would be playing Rowan, who runs the bowling alley, it was the best thing that had ever happened. To work on-screen with Nathan was so special, and we could not get through a take.

Leslie ends up working in a fish and chip shop – how are your frying skills?

I am genuinely not good at it at all, and Leslie is also terrible at frying. I definitely am better at just eating chips more. My mum, though, worked in a chippy for a few years before acting and she’s really good at it.