Digital Cover: Christian Lees
Photographer: Jonny Marlow
Stylist: Chloe Takayanagi
Groomer: Mira Chai Hyde
EIC: Anthony Vu Cao
Development: Chrissy Wang
Special Thanks: Slate PR
Born in the UK’s oldest recorded town of Colchester, less than 1 minute before his identical twin brother Jonah, Christian Lees has already worked alongside some of the industry’s most highly respected directors and actors at such a young age.
Trained at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, Sylvia Young Theatre School and The National Youth Theatre Of Great Britain, by age 9 Christian was making his West End debut as “Gavroche” in LES MISERABLES.
Christian breakout feature debut came when he and his brother were cast as leads in TALE OF TALES opposite Salma Hayek, John C Reilly, Toby Jones and Vincent Cassel. The film was the first English language feature for famed Italian director Matteo Garrone and was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Ever the constant musician, Christian also composed a piece of music, ‘Viola’s Song,’ which was used in the film.
We caught up with Christian and chat about his role in the up-coming FX’s Pistol, a six-episode limited series about a rock and roll revolution, available exclusively on Hulu.
Hi Christian, how are you?
I'm doing GR8T thanks, yourself? (Sorry, I couldn't resist)
Pistol is a six-episode limited series about a rock and roll revolution. What drew you to this project?
I was drawn to the project for many reasons. The idea of getting to work with Danny Boyle is an obvious one, but mainly I was drawn to the project because I'm a musician, so to be able to combine two of my passions was a dream. And secondly, I've always loved playing real people, so the project ticked a lot of boxes for me.
Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, The Sex Pistols are still regarded as one of the most groundbreaking acts in the history of popular music. How do you think they continue to influence music and culture today?
I think The Sex Pistols have had a massive, lingering impact not just in music, but in popular culture. Honestly, I think it would be hard to imagine what the world would be like today without them. As hyperbolic as that may seem, I think it's true in the sense that musicians today are given the freedom to create art. To be bold, and make strong choices, and challenge the wrongs of society. The Sex Pistols were arguably one of the first real bands to open that door, blurring the lines between music and politics. I mean every era has a defining artist, and at that time of the 70s, popular music in the U.K. was mainly just a bunch of side-stepping love songs.
The show is based on Steve Jones’ memoir, Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol. Were you familiar with the band or the memoir before getting the part?
I was familiar with the band, but not with the memoir. It brings me great shame to admit that I hardly knew anything of just how iconic the 'Pistols were before doing my research for this project. I only really knew one or two songs. I am very grateful to the show for introducing me fully to how groundbreaking they were.
How did you get involved with Pistol?
I auditioned late 2020 with a couple of self-tapes, and then further down the line had a zoom meeting with Mr. Boyle himself. I was filming another movie while I was auditioning, so it was hard to juggle both characters, but as all actors do, we find a way to make it work. It wasn't until early 2021 that I was officially cast.
“..there is something so magical about experiencing a movie on the big screen. There's something almost sacred about it. When the lights dim, and you can feel the bass rumble your body, you are immediately connected to everyone else in the theatre…”
Academy Award®-winner Danny Boyle is the executive producer and director of this project. What was it like to work with him?
Working with Danny was a true masterclass. It was fascinating to see his process, and I learned a lot just by being in his presence. He is a very caring and generous director, but he is also very serious and dedicated. I think this project is dear to him, as he was a punk himself, but even though this one may hold extra weight, I have a feeling he's just as precise and passionate with any project he works on. The main thing that stood out to me was his stamina. We would be in the middle of a small club like the "100 Club" for hours waiting to get coverage of a song, in a room full of two hundred extras, in the middle of a London heatwave... Even though we had to endure the insane heat, especially on stage, he didn't have to... but he did. He never left that room. To me that spoke volumes to his character.
You play Glen Matlock on the show. How did you prepare for the role and were you able to relate to your character on any level?
I was lucky enough to meet Glen and have the pleasure of having a couple of coffee's with him. We'd stroll through London and he'd point to areas of significant Pistols history. Like he would stop and just casually say "See that building there? I walked through those doors to get the Sex Pisols our first ever gig." Which was obviously mind boggling. I also read Glens memoir 'I Was a Teenage Sex Pistol', which is great read. And lastly, I spent hours learning to play the bass every day. I am a musician, so I think I picked it up pretty quickly (At least that's what they told me in rehearsals) but a lot of that was to do with the great musical department we had at our disposal. Rick and Carl of the iconic band 'Underworld', and an amazing bass teacher called James Graydon. So thanks to this project, I don't just play the piano and drums, I play bass now as well!
What do you think viewers can expect from the series?
The viewers can expect a raw, gritty series about the origins of Punk that as many probably don't know, was spearheaded by a bunch of spotty, good-for-nothing kids. Kids who were fed up of being told who they were, and what jobs they had to do, and what they had to wear, and decided to do something about it.
You also star alongside Mark Rylance, Sally Hawkins, and your brother, Jonah Lees, in the Sony Pictures Classics film, The Phantom of the Open. What was it like working with such a renowned cast?
Yes! This was the movie I was filming while auditioning for Pistol. It was such an amazing experience to work alongside Mark and Sally. The two of them are effortlessly genius, and my brother and I did the best we could to soak up all their wisdom. They were also just beautiful human beings and I cannot speak more highly about both of them. It was a true blessing. All round it was just a magical movie and set to be a part of. It was also really cool to get to work with my brother Jonah again, who's my identical twin. We've got to work together a couple of times now and we always feel very lucky when we get the chance!
With your experience in both film and television, do you prefer the storytelling of one method over another?
That's a tough one. I think they both have their advantages. In terms of doing a TV series, there is something about its long form nature that gives you a real opportunity to dive head first into a character, and really get to spend a lot of time with them and the story. You get to take your time more, as opposed to the two hours of a screenplay. However, there is something so magical about experiencing a movie on the big screen. There's something almost sacred about it. When the lights dim, and you can feel the bass rumble your body, you are immediately connected to everyone else in the theatre. So if you twisted my arm I would probably have to say I preferred movies, but I truly love both mediums.
When it comes to your work, what keeps you inspired?
I would say telling a good story, and the power that holds. We've always told stories as a race. I think there is something inherent within us that needs that escape, and longs to be taken on a journey. So to be a part of that is very inspiring. Also the knowledge that I one day might also inspire someone else to take up acting is pretty cool too.
What should we expect from you in the future?
I really got into writing during the lockdowns, so hopefully I'll be able to start telling my own stories and get that part of my career started. Apart from that I'm going to continue to take opportunities and see what's out there. Also, it is great to see that the "movie musical" is making a comeback. For example I absolutely LOVED Spielberg's West Side Story, and I actually started on the West End, both me and my brother did. I played Gavroche in Les Miserables, he played Michael Banks in Mary Poppins, so we kind of took it in turns. I still love to sing, and it's been a long time, so now that the movie musical has come back into fashion, I'd love to be a part of something like that. GR8T
