Christopher Woodley can be seen starring as Owen in the feature film Our Son alongside his on-screen parents Luke Evans (Nicky) and Billy Porter (Gabriel), and the film is directed by Bill Oliver. Our Son had its world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival in New York, with Christopher reuniting with Luke and Billy for the event, and Our Son will be releasing digitally in the UK on 25th March, and it has been nominated for Outstanding Film – Limited Release at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards. Further screen projects for Christopher include playing Sam in the short film Jelly, working on episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Mike, and he guest-starred as Andre in 2022 for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In October 2023, Christopher played Lil T for the AEA Showcase presentation of Scrambled Eggs at the Gene Frankel Theatre in New York, with the production raising awareness of domestic violence and running during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It was announced that Christopher would be making his Broadway debut early last year in ROOM as lead character Jack, but the show was unfortunately cancelled three weeks into rehearsals. Upcoming screen projects for Christopher are a short film he’s worked on recently, which is due for release later this year, and he has a few voiceover roles on Spirit Rangers and Alma’s Way. We chatted to Christopher about playing Owen in the feature film Our Son, attending the world premiere at the 2023 Tribeca Festival with Luke Evans and Billy Porter and being announced for his Broadway debut in ROOM.

You star as Owen in the feature film Our Son, was there anything that drew you to the project and how did you feel finding out you’d booked one of the lead roles?

When I first received the script from my agent, my mom and I read it together and fell in love with it! There have been many other movies about divorce but never one that involved two gay men, with a child, going through a divorce. We felt it was an important story that needed to be seen. Also, a lead role playing opposite Luke Evans and Billy Porter was a dream come true and very exciting!

Can you tell us about Our Son and your character Owen?

Owen is the eight-year-old son of Nicky (Luke Evans) and Gabriel (Billy Porter).

Owen loves both of his dads so much but considers Gabriel his primary caregiver. Owen is upset that his parents are divorcing, and is extremely worried how his family will change as a result. As the movie evolves, his relationship with Nicky (his biological father) evolves as well and they become much closer. By the end of the movie, I feel Owen matures and comes to an understanding that although their family will work differently, their love for each other will never change.

What was Owen like to play and how did you prepare for filming?

I really enjoyed playing Owen and bringing his character to life. The director, Bill Oliver, came to my house prior to filming and toured my house and bedroom to get a sense of how an eight-year-old boy lived and what I, in particular, enjoyed doing! He was the best director and helped me immensely to prepare for the role. I would also run through my lines every night with my mom while considering how I would feel if my parents were divorcing.

How was it filming alongside Luke Evans and Billy Porter as your on-screen parents and what was it like on set of Our Son?

Luke Evans and Billy Porter were so much fun to work with! The first day on set they showed me so much love and made me feel super comfortable. It was like we knew each other for years! I had the opportunity to have lunch with Mr. Porter prior to filming so we got to know each other a little a couple of weeks before arriving on set. I did not get that chance with Mr. Evans as he lives in the UK. As soon as we saw each other in person though, it was an instant connection! I miss them both so much.

In between shots, we would play games, talk about life and eat ice cream. I had the best time ever and learned so much!

Did you have a favourite scene to film and what are some of your favourite highlights from playing Owen?

One of my favourite scenes was the bonding scene with Nicky (Luke Evans) at Coney Island! I love amusement parks and going on rides and we were able to go on some rides together after the shoot! Another favourite scene was the scenes where I was in school because there was always a lot of other kids on set that day, so it was fun getting to know them and hanging out. Production even had a Häagen-Dazs ice cream truck one day, which was the best!

How did you find the experience attending the 2023 Tribeca Festival in New York?

Attending the Tribeca Film Fest was the highlight of my 2023! It was so exciting and exhilarating to be on the red carpet and be interviewed like a real celebrity! The chance to finally see the film we all worked so hard on was a super special moment for my entire family. Also, getting to see Mr. Evans and Mr. Porter again after a year was the best reunion ever! I hope I get to attend Tribeca Film Festival again some day.

What has it been like seeing the fan response to the release of Our Son and how was it hearing that the film has been nominated for Outstanding Film – Limited Release at the 2024 GLAAD Media Awards?

The response to the film and my performance in the film has been so positive and I am extremely grateful that I was given the opportunity to do what I love. Being nominated for a 2024 GLAAD Media Award is AMAZING! I am so proud of this film and everyone involved and happy the world views it as an important film and enjoyed it. The fans have been so supportive!

How was it playing Sam in the short film Jelly and can you tell us about the film?

Jelly was one of the first films I was a part of and, to this day, I am friends with the two other child actors in the film and we keep in touch! Jelly is such a special short film about a young girl (Khloe Bruno) who has a fascination with death as she tries to solve the case of a missing neighbour. She takes her two cousins (myself and Farah Felisbret) along for the ride of her obsession. Jelly went on to win numerous awards at film festivals and won Best HBO Short in 2023. I am so grateful and fortunate that the director, Anndi Liggett believed in me to bring Sam to life. She is amazing and so talented! She is going to be one to look out for and I hope to work with her again in the future.

You filmed for episodes of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (alongside Tony Shalhoub) and Mike (with Trevante Rhodes), what was it like being in the casts?

Trevante Rhodes was so much fun to work with and, although my scene was small, I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him and gain some valuable advice and knowledge. Working on Mike was so exciting as it was the first time I was actually given my own trailer. It had a fireplace and was really fancy! Tony Shalhoub was so nice and super funny! I loved my time on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, at least 100 other kids were on set that day so I really enjoyed filming that scene.

How was your time guest-starring in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Andre in 2022?

My mom loves Law and Order: SVU and, for me, booking that huge, top of show role at the age of seven was a dream come true! The entire cast was phenomenal to work with and really treated me so special as the scenes were tough to shoot. I had to really come outside of myself and my life experiences and imagine how Andre would feel and respond as a child who went through abuse. It was a very challenging role but rewarding at the same time. Mariska Hargitay was the best ever! She is so funny, and once we were done shooting the tough scenes, she made sure to come back to reality and keep me laughing!

In October last year, you played Lil T in the AEA Showcase presentation of Scrambled Eggs at the Gene Frankel Theatre in New York City, can you say about this?

I was so happy to do something else I love, which is performing for a live audience in a play. This one was extra special as it brought awareness to domestic violence and ran during the first two weeks of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October). The Gene Frankel Theatre is very small so the audience is literally an arms length away from you! It gave me such a rush every night to receive standing ovations and the cast was wonderful! I now consider them all family and I was sad to leave after working with them so closely and intensely for a month.

You had been announced to make your Broadway debut last year as Jack in ROOM at the James Earl Jones Theatre, but the show was unfortunately cancelled in March before it could open the following month, what do you think the show would have been like to perform in?

Yes, this was the biggest disappointment so far in my acting career. I was so looking forward to playing the role of Little Jack in what would have been my Broadway debut! Even though we were only three weeks into rehearsals before the show was postponed, I became so close to the entire cast and crew and miss them all so much. To have the opportunity to play a lead role alongside Adrienne Warren was beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Although I was sad that ROOM never came to fruition, I feel so fortunate to have booked the role and for the time I spent with them all during rehearsals. That time is something I hold close to my heart and I will never forget.

I do hope ROOM makes its way to Broadway eventually. It is a beautiful story and I hope everyone will get the opportunity to experience it on the stage.

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

Acting was not something I thought of until I performed in my elementary school play, The Wizard of Oz, and LOVED IT! At that point I wanted to keep performing and asked my mom if she could help me get into acting. I eventually signed with a manager, then was able to secure an agent… the rest is history and I haven’t looked back! I love acting!

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

My favourite show is Bel Air on Peacock! My mom used to watch The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. I really love Jabari Banks as Will and hope to work with him one day. I also love to watch Oddballs on Netflix. It’s my favourite animated show!

How do you like to spend your free time?

Besides acting, I love to play basketball in my free time. I like all sports but in particular basketball is my favourite. I also love to game with my friends and play Roblox and with my PlayStation. I also really love history and reading history books. Math is my favourite subject in school.

What are you hoping this year brings for your career and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?

I hope this year brings more exciting acting possibilities. I would love to lead in a feature film again, or play a recurring role on a TV show. Doing something in the comedy or horror genres is on my vision board!

I recently filmed a short and it should be released later this year. Additionally, I have a few voiceover roles on the shows Spirit Rangers and Alma’s Way that will be airing soon!

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