IN CONVERSATION WITH LEO HATTON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Leo Hatton stars in Season 2 of Hulu’s critically acclaimed series ‘No Man’s Land’, which premiered on HULU on 16th April. She has additionally become a mainstay of British television, appearing in shows such as ‘Endeavour’, ‘Death in Paradise’, and most recently, ‘Silent Witness’. Leo also starred in a film for the BFI, Postcards From London, alongside Harris Dickinson. Leo was also cast in the new Range Rover Sport VELOCITY BLUE campaign, opposite Theo James.

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In ‘No Man’s Land’ Season 2, you play Ellie Gordon, a Texas schoolteacher whose journey takes her to Syria in search of her boyfriend. What drew you to such a bold and emotionally charged role?

Well, I think I’ve always been naturally drawn to these more complex and deep roles. When Ellie landed on my desk in June 2022, it was just one of those parts that don’t come around that often. She’s a deeply sensitive yet conflicted person, with a fantastic story arc, whose existential crisis leads her to explore some of life’s most significant questions: love, religion, ideology, meaning. It honestly felt like a dream come true role for me.

Ellie’s story explores radicalization and personal transformation in a highly complex geopolitical setting. How did you prepare for a character undergoing such an intense evolution?

I’m a rather political person. I keep up with current affairs and think deeply about geopolitical events daily. Back in 2012, when ISIS had taken large swathes of Iraq and Syria, I remember following the events live as they developed, watching it unfold with abject horror. Stories then began to emerge of Western men and women who went to join ISIS and crossed over into Iraq and Syria at that time. Honestly, it's weird to say, but it felt like a personal full-circle moment to then be able to explore these deep themes through Ellie’s character. I had asked myself many questions ten years earlier, such as why are people actively choosing to join this conflict, this extreme ideology. What is pulling them into this ideological nightmare. I also delved into the real stories, personal accounts via podcasts and news articles about Western women who went to join ISIS at that time. These were incredibly interesting and useful.

Above all, I’d say that the nature of the filming process was extraordinarily collaborative and supportive in regards to preparation. I always say that it was like we were doing theatre for television. This process was down to the director Rotem Shamir and our producers Aitan Mansuri and Maria Feldman. We were all constantly delving into the scripts together and asking question after question to squeeze out as much as we could regarding meaning, purpose, and motivation for Ellie’s character.

The show touches on sensitive and deeply human themes. What conversations do you hope ‘No Man’s Land’ sparks with audiences with the latest season?

When everything feels so increasingly polarised, I think this show feels rather poignant. Although it is set against Syria and ISIS a decade ago, the show examines universal human questions of faith, belief, ideology, friendship, loyalty, and love.

Without giving too much of the plot away, perhaps a question which I feel is pertinent is around extremism, and is extremism, on either side of the political spectrum, ever really the answer?

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tights EMILIO CAVALLINI
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What was the most emotionally challenging scene for you to film in this season?

No spoilers. The most emotionally challenging scene was a scene we shot near the end of the shoot. It was highly charged, all instinct and adrenaline, deeply emotional. And on that day, we were battling against natural light. The Moroccan desert sun was setting, and we didn’t have endless time to keep doing take after take, so I had to just throw myself in, hope for the best, and trust that whatever came out was meant to be.

From ‘Silent Witness’ to ‘Endeavour’ and ‘Death in Paradise’, you’ve been a staple of British television. What do you love most about the British TV landscape?

Oh wow. These long-running series have become part of the fabric of our culture. We all watch these series at home with family and with parents, and they have become such a part of our lives. Those shows are special because people have followed the characters and storylines for years. ‘Silent Witness’ is now the longest-running crime drama ever. Mad.

Alongside these stalwarts, we do such great, gritty raw television across all genres, whether it be ‘Shameless’ or the recent ‘Adolescence’, and then obviously there are the golden oldies such as ‘Fawlty Towers’.

You’ve studied under renowned teachers like Christopher Fettes and Giles Foreman. How has your classical training influenced how you approach a script or a character?

Their training was phenomenal. We studied a technique developed by Yat Malmgren and Rudolph Laban. It is based on the classic Stanislavski methodology, but also delves into the body via Laban, who was a dancer. Their methodology gives language to both the physical and psychological aspects of character. I find it extraordinary.

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You’ve also worked behind the camera in your early years. Do you see yourself writing or directing in the future?

Yes, absolutely. I’ve always had a triangle, writing, acting, and directing. I just felt like the acting needed to come first.


You also just wrapped ‘Shadows’. Can you share anything about your role or experience filming in Budapest?

Well, this is an entirely different kettle of fish from ‘No Man’s Land’, but from the same director, Rotem Shamir. ‘Shadows’ is a meditative internal look at a top-secret clandestine governmental spy operation and the internal corruption of these outfits. Intriguing. I play an antagonist, Vanessa De Remini, who runs a high-profile auction house. In actuality, it is a front for money laundering and terrorism.

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You’ve recently also appeared in the Range Rover Sport Velocity Blue campaign with Theo James. How different is it working on a high-profile campaign like that compared to a dramatic series?

Oh, it is very different. Both are fun and exciting, and part of this wonderful and mad job we get to do. Commercials are like a 10-meter sprint, short bursts of adrenaline. Dramatic shows are a marathon.

Outside of acting, what are some creative passions or pursuits that inspire you?

Whilst writing is my medium of choice, I recently got back into painting. I painted something for my boyfriend as a gift. I would love to do more of that in my spare time. A few years ago, the RA did a retrospective of Francis Bacon. That was immensely powerful and inspiring. 

TEAM CREDITS:

photography DAVID REISS
styling REBECCA BONAVIA
makeup EMMA MILES / CAREN AGENCY
hair SANDRA HAHNEL / CAREN AGENCY
photography assistant STEFANIA CARLI