In the BBC Three comedy series Boarders, Louis Thresher made his TV debut as recurring character Masked Raisinette/Jonny throughout Series 2 and the final Series 3, and Boarders was created by Daniel Lawrence Taylor. It has been announced that Louis will be seen in the co-starring role of Ollie in Tim Federle’s upcoming Disney supernatural comedy drama series Coven Academy, which was filmed in Canada and has a cast including Malina Pauli Weissman, Tiffani Thiessen, Malachi Barton, Jordan Leftwich and Ora Duplass, with a release date not yet confirmed. Louis has also worked on two short films, playing River in Rat King and Benny in Pylon. Chatting with Louis, we found out about his recurring role of Masked Raisinette/Jonny in Boarders, his upcoming starring role of Ollie in Coven Academy and what it’s like working on a new Disney series.

For your television debut, you played recurring character Masked Raisinette/Jonny in the BBC Three series Boarders, can you tell us about the character and how was it developing the role throughout Series 2 and 3?

Jonny is posh and a bit of a nerd! He is masked in Season 2 and then revealed in Season 3. I learnt a LOT about being on a television set whilst playing Jonny.

How has it been seeing the response to your storylines and how does it feel now the final series has premiered?

It has been exciting, and I am very proud of myself. I feel grateful to be part of such a beloved project!

What have you enjoyed most about working on Boarders and what do you feel you learnt from having Jonny as your first screen role?

I learnt a lot from watching Myles Kamwendo act. His subtlety and sense of being relaxed inspired me. I am very proud to have played a gay role! I think it heals a small part of my inner child.

Did you have any favourite scenes to film in Boarders and what are some of your stand-out highlights from being on set?

My favourite memory was a night shoot where Clifton College (St. Gilberts) felt very magical and Hogwarts-esque.

It has been announced that you will be starring as Ollie in Tim Federle’s upcoming Disney supernatural comedy drama series Coven Academy, how was it finding out you’d booked the character and you’d be playing a lead role in a new Disney series?

SOOOO EXCITING! I WENT OUT DANCING IMMEDIATELY! Very pinch me and surreal. It was also very daunting, but I was so ready to step into such a new, exciting phase of my life.

How did you find the experience filming for Coven Academy in Canada and working alongside your fellow cast members, which include Malina Pauli Weissman, Tiffani Thiessen, Malachi Barton, Jordan Leftwich and Ora Duplass?

I made some friends for life! The cast are all wonderful, special people. I learnt humungous amounts from filming, about both acting and myself.

What are you looking forward to for the release of Coven Academy and who do you think the series will appeal to?

It will appeal to anyone, I think. It is very watchable and low effort… and fullll of addicting relationship drama 🙂

How was your time involved with the short films Rat King (as River) and Pylon (as Benny) and can you tell us about both projects?

I loved both films. Great tasters to being on a set. I am such a huge fan of Andrea Mae Perez and Joonas Jatin, who I worked with on Rat King. They are awesome people!

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

I got into it from a young age. I think I was addicted to the sense of escapism. My mum made me do acting clubs, and eventually I met the wonderful Sara Cole and Jo Scott (my agents) and they took a chance on me 🙂

Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?

Fantastic Mr. Fox. I can watch that endlessly.

How do you typically prepare for new characters and auditions, and do you have a process for learning scripts?

At the moment, I’m embracing ‘less is more’, trying to not over-prepare and instead trust my instincts – a VERY scary thing to do, but it can really pay off. My fellow actor Ora Duplass told me she likes to ‘find a way to love the character’, and that inspired me a lot. Also, I am enjoying memorising the feeling of a line as opposed to a way of delivering it. But I never know ‘my method’ and it always changes, haha.

What do you enjoy about being an actor and have you received any advice over your time in the industry so far that has stuck with you?

YOU are your greatest asset. Do not try and fit into a box. Be YOU so loudly and insistently.

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

Dancing, journaling, seeing my besties.

Apart from Coven Academy, do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about and what are you hoping this year brings you?

Nothing I can talk about 😉

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