Leo Woodall is to star alongside Clémence Poésy in A Waiter in Paris, the feature film debut from director Peter Hoar.
Leo Woodall is to star in A Waiter in Paris.
The One Day actor has been cast alongside Clémence Poésy in the movie that marks the feature directorial debut for Peter Hoar – whose previous credits include TV shows Doctor Who, It’s A Sin and The Last of Us.
A Waiter in Paris is being adapted from Edward Chisholm’s memoir of the same name, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide.
The story centres on L’Anglais (Woodall) – depressed, over-educated and about to turn 30 – who arrives in Paris determined to prove himself in the City of Light by joining the sharp-suited brotherhood of Parisian waiters.
An intoxicating ride follows: nights spilling from the glamorous-looking brasserie into the streets of Bastille, love, lust and the exhilarating sense of belonging to the coolest gang in town.
But behind the fine dining facade lies a world of exploitation and precarity and L’Anglais’ new life starts to crack as tensions rise amongst staff.
A Waiter in Paris – which will shoot on location in the French capital – is produced by former film critic Jason Solomons at Movie Love Productions.
Hoar said: “Leo has a wonderful presence on screen and a compelling capacity to hold emotion beneath the surface which feel essential for a character who spends so much of his life performing for others while concealing his own internal struggles.
“He will capture the contradictions of the role beautifully. The charm and detachment, precision and fatigue, hope and disillusionment. Watching him inhabit this world you will feel both the weight of the endeavour and the quiet resilience required to endure it.”
Solomons added: “From the moment I saw the jacket cover of Edward Chisholm’s A Waiter in Paris, I knew there was a great movie bursting to get out of the pages.
“What a thrill to have this cast and this film making team bringing my first feature film to life. It has been a bewildering but totally beautiful experience getting to this point and I’m proud that this is exactly the sort of film I’d be excited about in my former role as a journalist.
“So, I can’t wait to get filming in Paris – what a dream! – and then share it with audiences, and yes, even with film critics.”
Meanwhile, Leo – who has also appeared in The White Lotus and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy – described last year how fame is “hard to navigate” as “being objectified can mess with your head”.
The 29-year-old star told The Times newspaper: “Being objectified can mess with your head a bit. But just being an actor and getting treated as if you’re super important is hard to navigate. I’m not saving lives, am I?
“Bonkers stuff like people you don’t know screaming your name, saying they love you and want to marry you. You cannot let that noise – good or bad – get in your head, otherwise you become … a k*******.”
Leo Woodall to play lead role in A Waiter in Paris
