In the BBC One mini-series Lost Boys and Fairies, Leo Harris co-starred as Jake alongside Sion Daniel Young and Fra Fee as Gabriel and Andy. The mini-series is about the adoption process between Gabriel and Andy adopting Leo’s character Jake, and Leo has been nominated for Favourite Young Actor at the 2024 TV Times Awards, with the series also being nominated for Favourite New Drama. Leo’s next project – The Count of Monte Cristo – will have a future release, with no date yet announced, and Leo will play Edward Villefort with Sam Claflin, Jeremy Irons and Poppy Corby-Tuech also in the cast. For Leo’s first speaking role, he guest-starred in an episode of Casualty last year, and he is set to present the Children’s Award at the upcoming BAFTA Cymru Awards. Answering our questions, Leo told us about co-starring as Jake in BBC One mini-series Lost Boys and Fairies, how it feels being nominated at the 2024 TV Times Awards and what it was like on set of the upcoming The Count of Monte Cristo.

This year, you co-starred in the BBC One mini-series Lost Boys and Fairies as Jake, can you tell us about the show and your character?

Lost Boys and Fairies is a story about a same-sex couple Gabriel and Andy and their journey to adopt a child called Jake. Jake has had a tough upbringing and been taken into care because his birth parents could sadly no longer take care of him. The story follows the journey of all three characters throughout the adoption process.

How did you feel finding out you’d booked the role of Jake and what was he like to play?

When I discovered that I had landed the role of Jake, me and my family had tears of joy. My agents called me into the office and told me I had another self-tape to do, which I thought was normal as you can do so many throughout the process. But when I got there they gave me a lovely suprise that I’d actually been offered the role of Jake. It came as a total shock and was such a lovely surprise they did for me. Playing Jake was fantastic. He has a cheeky side and is sometimes a little naughty which was fun to act out. Deep down though, Jake’s character just wanted to be loved.

How did you find the experience working alongside Sion Daniel Young and Fra Fee as Gabriel and Andy, and with the rest of the cast?

It was amazing working with Fra and Sion, Sharon D. Clarke and the rest of the cast. From day one they made me feel welcome. All the cast and production team was amazing. James Kent was an amazing director to work for as he had so much patience and taught me so much during the process.

What did you enjoy most about filming for Lost Boys and Fairies and being on set?

I loved the acting but mostly it was meeting all the production team. Everyone was honestly so nice. Daf James, who wrote the show, is the nicest person you could meet. Adam Knopf, the producer, and Duck Soup Films put together the best team and everyone was honestly smiling on set from day one to wrap.

You have been nominated for Favourite Young Actor at the 2024 TV Time Awards, and the show has been nominated for Favourite New Drama, how was it hearing the news?

It came as a massive shock. I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest. I’m so happy that I am one of the nominees though. I’m surrounded by such great actors, all of whom I look up to as well like Jude Riordan and Lenny Rush, which is such an honour.

What has it been like seeing the fan response to Lost Boys and Fairies and your character Jake?

It’s been so nice to hear and read the kind comments and reviews. My parents have shown me some kind messages from social media etc and locally in Wales. It’s just been lovely to meet people who have enjoyed the show.

It has been announced that you will be playing Edward Villefort in the upcoming TV series The Count of Monte Cristo starring Sam Claflin, is there anything you can say about this?

Yes, I loved filming The Count of Monte Cristo. It’s not released yet so I can’t say too much but it was the best experience filming over in Italy. I was lucky enough to do some filming with Sam also. He was so nice off camera as well. My acting mother in the show (Poppy Corby-Tuech) was also amazing with me. I filmed mostly with her and she was always so much fun in between takes making me laugh.

What are you looking forward to for the release of The Count of Monte Cristo?

I’m looking forward to seeing how it all looks on camera. Our costumes weren’t modern day clothing like in Lost Boys and Fairies so it will be great to see how this world looks when it’s released.

How was it guest-starring in an episode of Casualty last year as Bobby Bayliss?

It was fantastic. This was my first acting role with dialogue so it meant a lot to me to get this role. It was very cool to get to work on the Casualty hospital set.

How would you describe Bobby and how were you involved with the storyline?

Bobby is a kind, smart, young boy who lives with his mother. Unfortunately, his mother gets ill during the episode and Bobby has to call the ambulance. He remembers from a school lesson that they taught him what to do during an emergency.

What do you remember most from working on the 2022 series Becoming Elizabeth?

This was one of my first ever roles. It was during the COVID pandemic and we had to test the day before going to set. I loved the experience though despite it being filmed during the pandemic. It really made me want to do it again.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I played Joseph in a school nativity play and enjoyed it so much. Afterwards, my grandad said I should try drama classes and he paid for my first ever course. Immediately I realised it’s my passion. It was just before the pandemic when I started with Mark Jermin Stage School. My first acting coach Andrew was amazing and taught me so much.

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

I love all the Marvel superhero films. When I got to work with Fra Fee, I was starstruck as I’d been watching him in Hawkeye the series only a few months before. On the final day of filming for Lost Boys and Fairies, he gave me his Marvel action figure, Kazi, and I have it on display in my room at home.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I like to play games occasionally online with friends, obviously I love my drama classes and I love to swim also weekly.

Apart from The Count of Monte Cristo, do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about, and what are you hoping the next year brings for your acting career?

I don’t currently have anything in the diary regarding acting roles but I have just started in my new school and have settled in great, which was important. Now that I’m settled though, I am really looking forward to hopefully landing a new role and getting back on set. I am very lucky to be presenting the Children’s Award in the upcoming BAFTA Cymru Awards, which I’m really looking forward to.

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