From a rather hands-on encounter with Hugh Grant to emerging dripping wet from a swimming pool in Bridget Jones, Leo Woodall is having quite the year.
The rising star’s appearance on The Tonight Show this week revealed not just his irresistible charm, but also how he managed to turn his first meeting with the rom-com legend into perhaps the most memorable red carpet moment of 2025.
The charming 28-year-old admitted to Jimmy Fallon that after being too shy to approach Grant several times at London train stations, he finally met his co-star at the Paris premiere of their new film – and things got unexpectedly physical.
“I kind of blacked out,” Woodall confessed, only to later discover photographic evidence of what can only be described as a very intimate backside greeting.
“That’s a full-on grab,” Fallon laughed while showing the photo, with Woodall sheepishly agreeing.
The endearing awkwardness of this story perfectly captures what makes Woodall so watchable – he combines classic British charm with a refreshing authenticity that’s making him Hollywood’s newest crush.
And speaking of crushes, wait until you see his pool scene in the new Bridget Jones film. Channeling peak Colin Firth, Woodall emerges from the water in a transparent white shirt before treating viewers to an impromptu striptease.
When The Telegraph asked about being objectified on screen, he admitted, “It was kind of fun” – though he worried about “trying to be objectified and failing.” (Spoiler alert: he definitely didn’t fail.)
Of course, many of us first noticed Woodall in his breakthrough role as Jack in The White Lotus, particularly during that unforgettable scene with Tom Hollander.
When asked about filming it, he remains charmingly good-humored: “I knew it was a shocking moment, but I trusted Mike White’s [the creator of the series] vision… it was brilliant and hilarious.”
Now he’s captivating audiences in Apple TV+’s Prime Target, playing Edward Brooks, a brilliant (and openly queer!) mathematician caught in a dangerous conspiracy.
His chemistry with co-star Fra Fee is already drawing praise, with their intimate scenes being celebrated for their tenderness and authenticity.
Helen Fielding herself chose Woodall for Bridget Jones after spotting him in The White Lotus, noting “That guy is going to be a star. There’s a sort of emotional maturity to him, but a kindness too. It’s all in the eyes.”
Just don’t ask him to drive you anywhere – he admitted to Fallon he can’t operate vehicles of any kind, from cars to golf carts. But with this much talent and charm, we’re happy to let that slide.
Watch Woodall’s hilarious interview below, where he recounts both his memorable encounter with Hugh Grant and his ongoing struggles with any vehicle that moves.
Trust us, his charm makes it all worth watching.