Isabel Marant sweater & pants; Dr. Marten shoes; David Yurman necklace, 10 relic ring
Solly McLeod has spent the past few years building a career defined by range. From House of the Dragon to Apple TV+’s Star City and the highly anticipated Practical Magic 2, the Scottish actor has taken on roles across fantasy, drama, and film, establishing himself as one of his generation’s most compelling young actors. Raised between the Orkney Islands and London, McLeod grew up surrounded by creativity, which continues to shape his approach to acting and his curiosity about the characters he takes on.
For our latest interview, photographer Sam Gold captured the actor on location in Los Angeles as he enters an exciting new chapter.
We have to talk about Practical Magic 2! Did you know just how much of a cult following the original film has, and did that change the way you approached being part of Practical Magic 2?
I’m gonna be controversial and admit that I had zero knowledge of how big the cult following was for the first film. I hadn’t seen it but immediately watched it after booking the role – which honestly just made me more nervous because I absolutely loved it and very much felt the pressure to do that first film justice! That said, I went into it with complete trust that Sandy and Nicole knew exactly what they were doing, and I don’t think I’ve ever been more right! They’ve made something really wonderful with all the love and magic the first film had.
Lardini jacket and shirt; Banana Republic pants; Moonshine Spirits boots; River Moons; Vintage watch and belt; Ettika necklace
You’re working alongside Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, who were so iconic in the original. Do you have any funny, unexpected, or memorable stories from set that you can share?
Sandy and I spent a lot of time making fart noises in between takes because we’re obviously both 10 years old mentally (I am at least, and maybe she felt sorry for me?). We actually got pretty good at replicating flatulence, and I did have a good few giggles until I let one rip for real whilst filming a scene with the far more elegant than I am Joey King. I still have waking nightmares about it to this day.
You have three very different projects arriving this year, from Practical Magic 2 to Anxious People and Star City. What attracts you to a role when you first read a script?
I think ‘depth’ is a good word to use here. The depth of story, the depth of the characters, the depth of the humanity that (hopefully) comes off the page. I love stories and moments that feel real and characters that are far from perfect; the more flawed, the better sometimes! At least it makes it interesting to play. Those very real, very human stories and characters always make for something A bit deeper than just ‘entertainment’. Things that take a bit of time to process as an audience member or reader, and circumstances and decisions that really make you think about them. Love that kind of stuff.
Venroy tank top; Banana Republic jeans; Stuart Weitzman shoes; Nickho Rey necklace; Carina Hardy bracelet; Vintage watch from Excalibur Jewelry; Jimmy Fairly sunglasses
Star City takes us into the Soviet space programme and the people behind it. Did preparing for the role change the way you think about the space race or that period of history?
It made me think there’s no fucking way I’m ever going to space. It’s BRUTAL! The resilience and bravery of the cosmonauts and all of the people making things run back on the ground really struck me. If anything, it was actually hard to say where the Soviet people were safer a lot of the time. In space… Or on Earth in the Soviet Union. It was such an oppressive way of living for them. The constant surveillance and the ‘if you read Western literature, you’re going to a concentration camp’ ideology of the government was all very real and very frightening.
You also worked with Angelina Jolie on Anxious People. What did you take away from that experience?
I will say right away that there were far less fart jokes between Angelina and me. However, we still had heaps of fun. I did have to pinch myself at the fact that I had come from shooting a movie with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman to straight into working with Angelina Jolie. I mean, what the fuck? Working with the three Hollywood Goddesses of the century in one year. All felt a little bit nuts.
Vintage T-shirt from Darling of Whatever; Wrangler jeans; Moonshine Spirits boots; Vintage watch and ring from Excalibur Jewelry; David Yurman necklace
What has acting taught you about people that you didn’t understand before you became an actor?
I think the importance of empathy is probably the biggest lesson I’ve learned. Not like ‘I’m an empath’ in an annoying bullshit wanky way. Just the whole idea of the lived experience and really trying to understand what people have gone through in their lives. I mean, playing a character who’s a total prick and does terrible things to people is hard as an actor if you can’t empathise with them. Maybe it’s not ‘hard’ necessarily, but it will make the performance pretty unremarkable and definitely lacking in truth. The whole idea of that universal ego, and the fact that anyone could do heinous things given the right circumstantial ingredients, is really fascinating to me.
Is there a role you’ve played that has stayed with you longer than you expected?
There was a role I played a few years ago in a film called ‘The Dead Don’t Hurt’ that Viggo Mortensen wrote and directed… Another Hollywood Goddess. Anyway, this character was a proper nasty piece of work, which is always fun but also easy to lose yourself in. I think that role made me realise how important it is to have ways out of a character you’re playing and back into yourself.
King and Tuckfield top & pants; Mark Chris boots; Vintage watch and ring from Excalibur Jewelry; 10 relic ring; Yurman chain
Let’s talk fashion, fashion week is full of characters! You attended the Thom Browne show in Milan in June. What was your first reaction to the collection?
It was a solid forty degrees Celsius in Milan during the show, so the first thing I thought was these poor lads must be sweating so much under those lovely clothes. It was the first show I’d ever been to, and I hope the first of many. I loved the collection and seeing it presented like that was a real treat. I haven’t always been a huge fashion follower but have definitely found a new appreciation for designers and the immense amount of talent and work that goes into it all.
I was sweating throughout Paris, and I had the same thoughts, but especially for all the staff and people like me who use public transport. There are definitely two different worlds in the fashion industry. What about in fashion and acting? In the way both allow you to play with identity and character…
I always love when I get to put on a character’s costume for the first time. It makes a huge difference to how I feel and definitely informs a lot of decisions for me. I think clothes and fashion are far more part of people’s identity than anyone really lets on or even realises. Once you understand that what you wear can completely change how you feel, it opens a whole world of self-expression.
Pal Sporting Goods jacket; Dandy Del Mar t-shirt; King and Tuckfield pants; Dolce and Gabbana boots; Carina Hardy necklace; 10 Relics ring; Vintage watch and ring from Excalibur Jewelry
With doing so much press and red carpet, do you have a favorite designer or fashion house at the moment?
That’s a tough choice, as I’ve been so lucky to be dressed by some really brilliant brands recently. Thom Browne, Armani, Paul Smith, to name a few. All of these brands excite me for different reasons, and all go very well with a red carpet.
Have you ever sported a trend that you look back at with cringe?
I had a ‘Vine’ account back in the day… I remember being locked out of my account with no way to delete them, so I think there are some videos floating around the internet somewhere waiting to come back and destroy my career.
Elwood t-shirt; Pearl Ivory jeans; Cos jacket; Adidas shoes; Nickho Rey necklace; River Moons Vintage watch; 10 relics ring
I don’t think it would destroy your career; we might just love you more! If you could live in any decade, for the fashion/music/and culture, what would it be?
1960’s. I think a lot of people would agree.
And finally, what are you most excited about right now?
I feel like I’m at quite an exciting moment in my career and feel utterly blessed to be doing the thing I love the most with all the brilliant people I’ve gotten to do it with. I’ve had a bit of time off work after a busy 2025, but a few projects are on the horizon. I’m excited to get back to it!
Elwood t-shirt; Better With Age jeans; Adidas shoes; Nickho Rey necklace; River Moons Vintage watch; 10 relics ring
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CREDITS
TALENT: Solly McLeod @sollymcleod
PHOTOGRAPHY/ART DIRECTION: Sam Gold @samgoldiloxx
STYLING: Savannah Mendoza @savannahkmendoza c/o @thewallgroup
GROOMING: Shideh Kafei @shidehkafei
PR: Kelli @bespoke_publicity
