interview by JANA LETONJA
Jackson Kelly is quickly establishing himself as one of Hollywood’s most exciting emerging talents. After appearances in HBO’s breakout drama The Pitt and Apple’s Imperfect Women, he is stepping into an especially exciting new chapter with starring in Netflix’s highly anticipated YA series The Body, arriving November 11. He’s also currently in production on the Daniels’ closely guarded new feature for Universal, starring opposite Matt Damon. While details remain under wraps, the 2027 release marks the directing duo’s follow-up to their Academy Award-winning Everything Everywhere All at Once.
photography by MATT KALLISH
The Body is about to introduce you to a potentially huge new audience. What excited you most when you first read the project?
You know when you read something excellent? It was simply just that. I was obsessed from the jump. I could not stop reading those scripts. It’s like your favorite novel that you keep returning to because you miss hanging out with the characters. I was really excited about the thought of working with a young ensemble cast, to be around artists my age, and hopefully make some friends because I need more of those.
What can you tell us about your character in The Body and where we find him when the series begins?
You’re catching Leo at a really interesting time in his life. He’s going through a major transition period. He’s very unstable and it’s fun to see him try to adapt and find his place among things. Simply put, he’s a normal teenage boy who’s dealing with the same things everyone goes through: identity, fitting in, crushes, etc., but it all feels a bit more heightened due to his lack of exposure to the secular world. Leo grew up very sheltered in a hyper-religious focused household in rural West Virginia. Now he has been dropped into the belly of the beast of upperclass upstate New York catholic school. He’s fighting for his life.
YA stories can capture emotions at a point in life when everything feels incredibly heightened. Did the series bring you back to anything from your own teenage years?
Anytime I’m around a locker and I’m wearing a backpack, it’s terrifying. That was a lot of this show. There’s a scene where I had to use a protractor. I had completely forgotten about those.
Without giving anything away, what do you think will surprise viewers most about The Body?
Gosh, there’s so many good twists in the show. These high schoolers make some really dumb decisions. I’ll say that I had a really strong perspective as to what I thought was going on and Quinn told me early on that I was completely wrong, so maybe some of the audience will be in the same boat as me and be totally off track.
You’re currently working with the Daniels on their next film. What was your reaction when you found out you’d landed a lead role in their follow-up to Everything Everywhere All at Once?
I still can’t believe that’s a true sentence. I wept like a baby and Facetimed my mom first. I couldn’t even get the words out. I was just making strange noises. Then I Facetimed my dad. He was mid-workout and didn't remember who the Daniels were so I had to explain. I always tell my parents first. It’s all for them in a way, but I’ll save that conversation for my therapist.
You’re starring opposite Matt Damon. What have you learned from watching and working with him?
Oh you mean Matty? Mr. Matt Attack?? Mattalicious? The man is the king of expositional dialogue. He can make anything sound cool. He has the incredibly difficult job of grounding this movie while the rest of the cast is off playing in fantasy land. He’s the kind of actor that just makes it look effortless. You never catch him forcing or reaching for anything and he can break your heart with one look. I was watching him on the monitor one time and turned to our producer Jonathan and said “Wow, he’s good” and Jonathan said “Yeah dude, he’s Matt Damon”. And he is. He’s Matt Damon. And he’s really good.
With so much about the film still under wraps, what can you say about the experience or the scale of what you’re making?
Well, the scale is bigger than anything I’ve ever seen in my life. The Daniels have written an impossible script. I mean that in the best way possible, but this thing is ambitious beyond belief.
There are sequences on the page that have never been remotely seen in a movie before and I have zero clue how they’re even going to attempt to pull it off, yet somehow they’re doing it. They’re like magicians. I told them on our first day that we are making my favorite movie of all time and I really believe that. I love this movie and I think it’s going to save the world.
You were also part of the first season of The Pitt, a show that quickly became a breakout hit. What did you take away from that experience?
Noah Wyle might be the kindest human ever. He’s like the cool dad at your friend's sleepover and who is super chill and lets you stay up and eat Cheez-its and watch White Chicks. I’m so proud of him and everyone that touches that show. If you’re reading this, please have me back. I’m sorry about the mess I made dropping the ice sculpture at the wrap party, but I really do miss you all.
You’ve moved between very different projects and ensembles early in your career. What do you look for in a role at this stage?
I was talking with a mentor yesterday and he told me to look for the stories that I feel I can serve. I’ve been trying to let that one soak in. It’s so simple, but I think if you can tune out all the other noise and ask if you’re able to serve with this work, then you will end up somewhere you’re proud of. I want to be able to look back at the things I’ve created when I’m older, feeling like I pushed the needle in a direction for good.
Has there been a moment recently when you realized your career was shifting into a new gear?
I was getting a smoothie and someone asked if I was on Ozark and I said no, and they said yes I was, so that was pretty exciting.
Is there a type of character, genre or filmmaker you haven’t worked with yet that’s high on your wish list?
I think the reason anyone gets into this industry is to make good things with good people. I love the process of making movies and some of the closest connections I have in my life have come from that process. A film set is a very intimate and magical place. I hope to find myself on sets that are kind. Sets that tell the kind of stories that evoke change. Movies are such a powerful tool. They’ve shaped my life and who I am. I want to work with artists that I can learn from and hold me to a higher degree as a person. I want the real deal. I’m not looking for another job, I’m looking to learn and love.
Between The Body and this new film with the Daniels, you’re entering a major new chapter. What feels most exciting, and perhaps a little surreal, about where you are right now?
I guess what is surreal is some of the situations I find myself in. Things that I dreamed of as a kid. There are some sets and costumes on the Daniels movie in particular that have made me tear up because I’m so excited. I look around and think “Wow I’m making a movie! Like a real Hollywood movie,” so that feels very surreal.
