Logan Matthews can currently be heard starring as lead character Tom Gates in the animated series The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, adapted from the popular book series by Liz Pichon, alongside a cast including Catherine Tate and Mark Bonnar. With Series 1 premiering on Sky Kids in 2021, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates has since returned for a Series 2, and the show has won and been nominated at the BAFTA Scotland Awards for two consecutive years. As an on screen actor, Logan will be in the cast of the new Alan Carr sitcom Changing Ends as Gorman, which is set to be released on ITVX next month, and he has filmed for Here (directed by Robert Zemeckis) and the hugely-anticipated Barbie film (directed by Greta Gerwig). In 2019, Logan made his West End debut as James in School of Rock at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, continuing in the role until the final West End performance in March 2020, and he returned to the show for their recent UK & Ireland Tour as Billy. Answering our questions, Logan talks about starring as lead character Tom Gates in The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, his upcoming projects and being in the cast of School of Rock in the West End and on tour.

You voice the titled character of Tom Gates in the screen adaptation of The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, what is he like to voice and how is it getting into character?

Being the voice of Tom is awesome! I’m so lucky I get to be him. We’d definitely be mates if he was real!! He is super cheeky (bit like me!) so I find it easy getting into character. I practice my lines with my mum and when I’m in the recording booth, they give me sweets and crisps to munch on during the sessions – just like Tom with his love for snacks and caramel wafers too!

What is it like being in the cast and can you tell us what a typical day looks like recording for the show?

We have such a cool cast, with Catherine Tate as my mum and Mark Bonnar as Mr Fullerman. I get to meet the others before or after my sessions if they are coming in on the same day – which is great fun to say “hello” and see what they look like (I know what they sound like).

I love my director George (Sawyer). He’s brilliant and always makes the recordings super fun. We play silly games like who can pour the water without spilling it (the jugs in the studio are rubbish and always spill everywhere!).

Had you read any of the Tom Gates books by Liz Pichon before auditioning and how did you feel finding out you’d booked the role?

Yes, I love the books and I keep rereading them too. Except now, I hear myself as Tom’s voice which is really weird! When I found out I got the role, I was soooo happy. It was my first big thing after School of Rock, and I screamed so loud! As Tom would say – ah-mazing!!

Is there anything you enjoy most about voicing Tom Gates and how was it seeing the completed animations for the first time?

I love doing all the wallers (funny sounds like laughing and burping). They are so much fun to record as you can really go for it. Seeing and hearing the first episodes was really surreal. I was so chuffed. When it came out, my toddler sister was so confused, because Tom sounded like me but it wasn’t me on the screen – that was funny to watch!

What was it like having the show win and be nominated at the BAFTA Scotland Awards in 2021 and 2022?

OMG, it was amazing!! I watched the show with my family and when we won I was jumping up and down! How great for the entire team behind the show – huge well done to Liz and George and everyone else. I’m so lucky to be a part of it!

As a screen actor, you will be playing Gorman in the upcoming Alan Carr sitcom Changing Ends for ITV/ITVX, is there anything you can tell us about this?

It’s set in the 80s and I wear some really cool clothing – my dad was laughing that he used to wear this stuff when he was a kid, so that was weird and funny. Gorman is so different to characters I’ve played before and hopefully I’m nothing like him – you’ll see when you watch it!

What are you looking forward to for the release of Changing Ends and who do you think will enjoy watching it?

I can’t wait for it to come out on ITVX in June and then ITV later on. I get to see some of it at a screening beforehand which will be really cool. I think anyone who loves Alan Carr and is a fan of the 80s will love it.

How was it working on the short films A Home Past the Meadow as Edward and SPUD as Johnny?

So cool. Both are set in different time periods in the past. Johnny had this funny bike, and was on a mission. It was such a great experience because I got to show a range of emotions in this part. The location for A Home Past the Meadow was amazing. We shot entirely outdoors in such a beautiful place.

On stage, you most recently played Billy in the UK and Ireland Tour of School of Rock, how did you find the experience touring for the first time and what is the musical like to be part of?

I love School of Rock, it’s like being in the best and coolest family. I’m so lucky to have been a part of it for so long.

Touring is so different to the West End. I had to learn how to pack and unpack my own suitcase! It was weird not being at home, but I was lucky to be sharing with a friend. And even though I was away from home and school, I still had to do tutoring!

You made your West End debut with School of Rock in 2019 as James, what are some of your favourite memories from performing in the show in the West End?

Being on that stage in the West End is one of the greatest feelings. Seeing all those people, it was incredible. I was on stage playing James in the very last show ever too. I got to meet Andrew Lloyd Webber several times, performed on New Years Eve and made friends for life. It was amazing.

Do you have a favourite aspect of working on screen, voiceover and stage, and how different are each to work on?

I love it all and they are all so different. You have to adjust the way you perform depending on what you’re doing. You have to listen really carefully and take direction well – especially on stage when you’re amongst lots of moving staging in the dark.

We understand you have also been involved with commercials, can you tell us about some of them?

One of my first professional jobs was on some commercials for Arlo Smart Home Cameras – feels like forever ago! I remember I got to eat a load of biscuits because my character was sneaking them out of the kitchen. Plus, they gave me loads of sweets when they weren’t filming too. I even got a fake sister for the day!

How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do?

I was always singing when I was little, so I started going to a local theatre group. I’ve always enjoyed it and as I’ve got older I’ve realised that I’d love to do this forever.

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch?

All the Marvel movies – they are awesome. I wish I could be in them! I love watching football and golf on the TV too. I’m lucky I’ve been to the theatre loads, School of Rock is definitely my favourite musical but I also love SIX and Dear Evan Hansen (one day I want to play Evan!).

How do you like to spend your time away from your career?

I play loads of golf and football. And FIFA on my Xbox. Now the summer is coming, I’ll be out playing golf even more!

Do you have any upcoming projects you have already filmed or that you will be working on that you can tell us about and what are you hoping 2023 brings for you?

Earlier this year, I filmed a small part in an epic new movie Here directed by Robert Zemeckis – one of the best directors on this planet – it was an amazing experience. And I’m in the Barbie movie, directed by the incredible Greta Gerwig. I can’t wait to see that – it comes out in July!

I hope 2023 gives me as many opportunities as possible to perform – I’m so lucky to do what I love professionally.

Follow Logan on:

Twitter

Instagram