AUB Acting graduate Kevin Leslie beats Spiderman star Tom Holland to international award

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Published 25th September 2018

A BA (Hons) Acting graduate has won an international award ahead of one of Hollywood’s hottest up-and-coming actors

Kevin Leslie left AUB in 2010 and has since gone on to have lead roles in both The Rise of the Krays and The Fall of the Krays, playing the notorious gangster Reggie Kray.

He previously won the Best Actor award at the 2015 Marbella International Film Festival and he has now topped all of his achievements by beating off Spider-Man Homecoming star Tom Holland to be named Best Emerging Actor at the International Achievement Recognition Awards IARA.

At a glitzy reception held in Canary Wharf, Kevin triumphed for his role in The Code ahead of Ned Porteous (Emmerdale), Tom Socks (Giantsland), Josh Wichard (The Case Of The Frightened Lady), Lloyd Everitt (Sugar), Anthonio Aakeel (Eaten by Lions) and Reis Bruce (Doctors).

Kevin has also started to produce his own projects with Little Glass Pictures

All of the awards were voted for by the public and the AUB graduate was also nominated in the Best Young Actor category alongside John Boyega (Star Wars: The Last Jedi), Rupert Grint (Snatch) and Daniel Kaluuya (Black Panther).

But his success at the IARA was not the only good news he had over the weekend as he also won Best Actor for The Escort at the Westfield International Film Festival in New Jersey, US.

Talking about his success at the IARA, Kevin said: “It was a night to remember. It’s an immense feeling when your work is being recognised but any project is more than one person. So I’d like to thank everyone that makes each project so special.

“Also, I absolutely couldn’t have done it without AUB and all the support you gave me to get the news of my nominations out there and help me get votes, so thank you to you all.”

AUB Acting graduate Kevin Leslie at the International Achievement Recognition Awards

Kevin with his award at the event in Canary Wharf, London

Speaking after his nominations were announced, Associate Professor of Voice and Acting, Dr Petronilla Whitfield, said: “Kevin was an amazing student when he was here. He worked incredibly hard and I will never forget him.

“He was fearless in his enthusiasm to engage himself in Shakespeare and immersed himself entirely in acting the roles – he showed huge power and ability to connect with the deep emotions required when acting Shakespeare and using the heightened classical language.

“Kevin also has a rich resonant voice which made his communication of the language have great impact – he worked incredibly hard when he was at the AUB with 100 per cent commitment and was a pleasure to teach.”

Find out more about BA (Hons) Acting at AUB.