Biography
Leon has enjoyed over 20 years success throughout the media, crossing genres from stage to screen and radio. Popularly known for his acting roles starting along side the likes of Sir Ben Kingsley in ‘TUT' and in soap operas EASTENDERS and BROOKSIDE. After studying a Masters degree in filmmaking at The University of East London, for which he was awarded a distinction, and with a collection of award winning shorts and micro budget feature film 'SOFT LAD' gaining distribution through Peccadillo Pictures and reaching number 10 in the iTunes chart before being acquired by Netflix UK, Leon uses his filmmaking to talk about issues within society that he feels are neglected by the mainstream media. His documentary ‘Let’s Talk About Gay Sex And Drugs’, premiered at BFI Flare's 30th anniversary festival in 2016, and ‘CROSSROAD’, a retrospective reflection of a bisexual male struggling with his daemons after the untimely death of his best friend, was shortlisted for the best of British Iris Prize 2016 in Cardiff and selected for distribution by Peccadillo Pictured as part of their ‘Boys On Film’ DVD anthology. Both films continue to play the festival circuit. ‘ALMOST SAW THE SUNSHINE’, his half our film exploring deaths and murders of Trans women of colour, was released November 2018 though Peccadillo Pictures, whilst his most recent short film trilogy - ‘Jermaine and Elsie’ was acquired by and premiered on London Live TV in June 2018 and sold to Shorts TV international. His second feature film ‘OUT OF TIME’ is currently in post production and in talks with distribution. In September 2018 Leon proudly joined the roster of Directors for Chanel 4’s flagship soap ‘HOLLYOAKS’. He has successfully directed 15 episodes to date. And in 2020 he joined the list of directors over at ITV’s award winning show ‘Emmerdale’ and has directed 4 episodes to date. He continues to work on his own original projects. And is currently developing a TV series called TRADE.
