At 28, Leo Woodall is becoming a familiar face as the charming yet mysterious love interest on screen. From his breakout role in The White Lotus to his recent turn in One Day, Woodall has captured audiences with his magnetic presence. Now, he stars opposite Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, playing Roxster, a younger man who sparks a romance with the iconic Bridget.
Woodall reflects on the cultural moment surrounding older women and younger men in film. "These stories aren’t new," he says, "but they remind us that connection transcends age. People are just people." While he admits he hasn’t experienced such relationships personally, he finds the dynamic in Bridget Jones heartwarming. "It’s lovely to see Bridget find joy after grief," he adds.
Woodall credits the women in his life for shaping his understanding of relationships. His mother taught him kindness, while his older sister offered blunt dating advice. "She’s brutally honest," he laughs. "She’ll tell me exactly where I went wrong."
Growing up, Woodall admired Kate Winslet and Julia Roberts for their charisma and talent. His first celebrity crush? Vanessa Hudgens from High School Musical. "I even got into a fight with a friend over who liked her more," he recalls with a laugh. Today, he admires women for their emotional intelligence. "I’ve learned to listen properly," he says. "Women are just smarter in that way."
Woodall isn’t afraid to admit his flaws. "My laundry situation is a mess," he jokes. But he’s serious about personal growth, particularly in understanding women. "I pride myself on emotional intelligence, but there’s always more to learn."
