Leo Woodall Shares His Journey of Learning German with Russell Crowe for ‘Nuremberg’ and the Self-Pressure He Faced

Leo Woodall Takes Center Stage in Nuremberg

British actor Leo Woodall, 29, has gained acclaim for his roles in various productions, including his notable performances alongside Renee Zellweger in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and in Netflix’s emotional drama One Day. Currently, he shines as Sergeant Howie Triest, a young U.S. interpreter in the upcoming film Nuremberg, directed by James Vanderbilt. This role places Woodall alongside Oscar winners Russell Crowe, who portrays Luftwaffe Supreme Commander Hermann Göring, and Rami Malek, who plays American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley. In 2024, he will further showcase his talent in Daniel Roher’s Tuner alongside two-time Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman.

In an interview, Woodall spoke about his character’s complex background, emphasizing how Triest must conceal his Jewish heritage from Nazi war criminals, a theme that profoundly influences his performance.

"I loved playing Howie, not just because he was such an extraordinary man," Woodall reflected. "It was fascinating for me to experience the dynamic between Rami and Russell in the room. Howie was present for many significant conversations that others couldn’t witness, adding another layer to my portrayal."

To prepare for the role, Woodall faced the challenge of mastering fluent German, having had no prior experience with the language. He recalled his auditioning process and the subsequent guidance from director James Vanderbilt, which helped him navigate the extensive German dialogue.

"I had a German coach named Lena Lessing, and she was wonderful and patient," Woodall said of his preparation. "We met over Zoom, and I practiced tirelessly, especially since my first day on set involved translating between Rami and Russell."

The weight of working alongside two award-winning actors added pressure to his performance. "I put a lot of responsibility on myself to match their proficiency. It was nerve-wracking," he admitted, smiling as he shared how it ultimately went well.

Despite only briefly meeting Russell Crowe and having dinner with Rami Malek once before filming, Woodall quickly adapted to the set’s environment. "Watching them work was invaluable. Russell sits there, contemplating, while Rami constantly thinks about the next action," he explained.

On the subject of Crowe’s German language skills, Woodall offered a positive assessment. "It was really good. I wanted mine to be just as strong, but I knew that wouldn’t be the case."

Woodall’s roles have allowed him unique learning experiences. "Every actor has their own process," he noted, "but they’ve been generous and supportive, eager for younger actors to learn their craft."

As he delved into the historical context of the film, Woodall grappled with the atrocities depicted. "While I had learned about the Holocaust in school, some of the footage shown in court was shocking. It was supposed to be one of the longest, hardest seven minutes of your life," he reflected.

The legacy of the real-life Howie Triest, who passed away in 2016 at the age of 93, weighed on Woodall, who did not connect with his family prior to filming. However, he later met two of Triest’s grandchildren, sharing a touching moment at the Toronto screening of Nuremberg where they expressed pride in his portrayal.

"I experienced an out-of-body moment when I met a granddaughter who recognized me as the actor playing her grandfather," Woodall recalled. "The validation from his family was incredibly humbling."

In a particularly poignant scene, Woodall conveys Howie’s story during a critical moment with Malek’s character. He described the collaboration with Vanderbilt to create the right tone for the scene: “What was most important was simply to tell Kelley the story. Underplaying it makes it more powerful."

As Woodall continues his trajectory in the film industry, he expresses deep gratitude for his experiences. "I feel fortunate to learn from such remarkable figures while also being able to portray important historical narratives," he concluded.