Heartstopper Star Leila Khan On Her New Scandalous ITV Drama Adultery

Even if you don’t recognise Leila Khan, your children might. The young star first shot to fame in Heartstopper – joining the hit queer rom-com in season 2, where she played bisexual student and budding musician Sahar Zahid. Since then, she’s appeared in the Death in Paradise 2023 Christmas special, and currently stars as Amira Dhawan in BBC One children’s series Crookhaven.

Today, we’re chatting about her latest project: Adultery. A scandalous love story, written by the BAFTA-award winning writer Danny Brocklehurst, this more mature venture centres around protagonists Tom (Dominic Cooper) and Beth (Romola Garai) as they ignite an extra-marital affair that risks tearing their worlds apart. Khan plays Jess – Tom’s 16-year-old daughter. Unknowingly trapped in the middle of this family-threatening tryst, not only is her dad cheating, but the woman’s he’s doing it with is her new boyfriend’s mum. 

We caught up with Leila to chat about life after Heartstopper, her new role, and the power of reading. 

Q&A: Leila Khan On Adultery

Leila Khan (Photographer: David Reiss. Styling: Prue Fisher. HMU: Charlotte Yeomans)

Hi Leila, how’s life at the moment? 

You know what, I was recently inspired by Keke Palmer and Eileen Gu and their ability to reframe their perspective, so everyday is genuinely really great because I’m deciding it is! 

You’re set to star in the upcoming TV drama Adultery. Can you give us an elevator pitch for the show? 

Sure as long as there’s 20 floors on the elevator. I love this show so I really could write an essay about it. Okay, so the story follows our two leads – Tom and Beth. I play Jess, the daughter of Tom who is on the roller coaster ride of first love with her boyfriend Ollie. The two are inseparable and the dreaded time comes for these two families from opposite backgrounds to meet. By fate, Destiny or doom they meet organically; Beth hits Tom with her car and they end up having an awkward trip to the hospital. Thankfully it goes well… perhaps a little too well. That’s all I’ll say for now. 

What can you tell us about your character Jess? 

Oh Jess, my heart warms when I talk about her. It’s so strange but these characters end up becoming like real people that you know and care about. Jess is a beautiful young soul. Before we meet her, there have been some problems with the family and she’s had to mature a little faster than anyone else her age. Now she’s met Ollie and her spirit feels lifted but oftentimes she feels restricted by her overprotective mother and there’s a rebellious side to her. She’s been a grown up for so long and now that she’s with Ollie, she just wants to be a teenager again. 

What drew you to the role? 

On the page, you could feel her anger and desperation and I really resonated with that. When I was younger, I was often labelled moody and hormonal by family just because of the age that I was. It is such a pivotal age, you are learning about yourself and you can’t always quite articulate what is going on in your head. I remember not many people seeing the truth behind those ‘mood swings’ or ‘outbursts’ and when it came to Jess I was so conscious of her not being a stereotypical rebellious teen; I wanted to show that there is always nuance to what young adults are going through. I also just wanted to be the person to say, ‘I see you’. 

We’ve previously seen you in Heartstopper and Crookhaven – two rather wholesome, (largely) family friendly shows. What was it like transitioning to a darker, more twisted series this time around? 

Honestly I try not to think about those things too much as an actor. We had two brilliant directors to guide the tone of the show and so it was just never something I was actively thinking about. At the time of the shoot, I’m so focussed on the character, her experience within the story and the truth of her behaviour. It’s my job to be her advocate in a sense and so if I had thought too much about the transition in tone then I don’t think I would have allowed myself to fully immerse myself into her world.

Though the series has more adult themes, you’re playing a 16-year-old in the show. What was it like reverting back to that teenage mindset? 

It was actually really refreshing to play a young person dealing with such heavy topics. I’ve got a baby face so all I’ve played are 16 year olds and I think I’ve got a few more in me. However with Adultery, I was so excited to battle with my own instincts as an adult and how I might react to something. Don’t get me wrong, there were times when it wasn’t easy. I can recall a few moments when our wonderful director, Daniel O’hara, had to tap me on the shoulder and say ‘remember she’s 16 Leila’. Those moments really forced me to have empathy for her. Through the course of the series you’ll see she has a tough ride. 

You first shot to fame in Heartstopper – how did it feel joining such a beloved series in the second season of the show and finding newfound fame? 

Thankfully I live under a rock and hadn’t heard of the show before I auditioned for it; I think if I knew what a phenomenon it was the nerves would’ve overwhelmed me. Once I had got further along the audition process, I did my homework and realised how much these graphic novels and the show had touched so many people. So on joining the show I definitely felt a sense of responsibility which ultimately kicked most of my nerves to the curb. 

What about fitting into the established on-set dynamic? 

This was something that I had been anxious about since the day I booked the role. I was so worried that I wouldn’t fit in with anyone but that didn’t last an hour. Everyone welcomed me with open arms and Tobie Donovan had actually given me a card on wrap that said something along the lines of feeling like I had always been a part of the show. These are people that I know will be in my life forever and I’m so grateful to the show for that. 

In Heartstopper Forever we finally said goodbye to this beloved world and its characters. How was it saying goodbye for you? 

A few people have asked me this and it really hasn’t hit me yet. I honestly think it’ll come next year when I realise I’m not on set with my best friends again. 

In your new series, Adultery, you play Dominic Cooper’s daughter. What was it like working with and learning from him and the rest of the cast? What was the dynamic like on set? 

Dom dom! I do love him so much. We clicked instantly and throughout the course of filming Dominic, Shelley Conn and I became really close friends. We had a lot of fun together, but when it came time to work they were absolute pros and I just watched in awe anytime I could. In my experience, Dominic had this real easiness of just making the moments feel real and light, especially the family scenes. Again, I don’t want to speak on behalf of anyone but from my experience Shelley was so analytical and treated Hannah with such empathy, but then delivered every line with nuance and life as if the words were never really on the page. I could have watched her for hours. 

Any standout moments from filming?

Dom, Shelley and I had become really good friends so we had inside jokes, certain looks that would make each other giggle. Dominic would often make us laugh; he is genuinely hilarious. So one time Shelley and I decided to play a prank on Dom during his close up, but like an absolute professional he got on with it and we were still 0 for 0. 

What’s next in the cards? Any other exciting projects in the works? 

I’m currently back with my Crookhaven family shooting season two. It’s very exciting this year, with new faces and a lot of action. I’ve been fortunate enough to work on my own stunts which has been a genuine highlight for me. Our stunt team are a brilliant South African Duo, Lee-Anne and Marcell Leibenberg and it’s an honour to be learning from them. 

What genre would you love to try out next? 

After doing a lot of stunts on Crookhaven I’m dying to do more of that but I’m honestly open to anything. I have loved the depth and grit that Adultery offered me; more of that would be great. 

Anyone you’d dream of working with – actor, writer, or director? 

There’s too many to name. I’m in awe of everyone in this industry. I’m kind of hoping Suzanne Collins writes another Hunger Games book so I can sneak into that world, if I’m dreaming big. Hugh Jackman and Tom Hardy are two actors that inspired me a lot when I was younger so again, in a dream world I’d get to work with and learn from them. 

Do you live in town or country – and which do you prefer? 

I’ve lived in both. Town is perfect for the stage of my life at the moment but I know my heart is with the country. 

How do you find balance between personal and work life? 

I’m still figuring it out. I’m an all or none kind of person and so when I’m working, my personal life can be neglected. Showing up and making a conscious effort to prioritise between the two when needed is something I’m working on. I’m only a six year old adult! 

How can we all live a little bit better? 

If working on Adultery has taught me one thing, it’s that we’re all only human so who’s to say my better is the same as your better? I will say that reading consistently, fact or fiction, will change your life. 

Anything fun coming up – professionally or personally? 

As I said I’m having a whale of a time at work but when I finish I am going to kidnap my little brother and take him to Disneyland. 

Leila Khan (Photographer: David Reiss. Styling: Prue Fisher. HMU: Charlotte Yeomans)

What Leila Khan Is Loving Right Now

I’m currently watching…

I’m revisiting an old favourite, The Mentalist. I loved it when I was in my teens and I’m loving it just as much now. 

What I’m reading… 

Circe by Madeline Miller 

The last thing I watched (and loved) was… 

I rewatched The Blindside last night and bawled my eyes out every five minutes. It was beautiful but also torture on an empath like myself. 

What I’m most looking forward to seeing… 

I’m really looking forward to watching the lates instalment of The Hunger Games, Klara and The Sun and Scooby Doo: Origins. 

Favourite film of all time… 

Don’t ask me that. Too hard. 

Favourite song of all time… 

Anything by Adele, but more recently Ella Langley is on repeat. 

My ultimate cultural recommendation… 

Any new place I’m in, I look for three things: the nearest cinema, the nicest cafe and the prettiest park. 

Cultural guilty pleasure… 

Every year or two I go through a phase of rewatching the 2016 Celebrity Big Brother series with Gemma Collins and Megan McKenna on YouTube.