Freer THAN EVER

Actor Adam Ali on bringing their "queer Arab magic" to film and TV, including Waterloo Road, coming out, and how they hope to inspire and influence positive change through representation

Adam Ali, an actor and writer, is wearing Aan all-black ensemble which perfectly their warm Arabic eyes and beautiful Libyan hair. And don't get me started on the clarity of their skin: it's glowing. "Thank you for taking the time to speak to me, guys," says Adam. "I love Attitude. This means a lot to me. And how very full circle. I think it's been a year since the Baba article that the magazine wrote (more on the sensational Baba later) and I'm talking to you again about another project that's even bigger. I feel very lucky." But the 23-year-old's success is down to more than just chance. Most recently, their talents landed them the role of Kai Sharif, a queer lead character in this year's revival of BBC high school drama Waterloo Road. The well-loved TV series revolving around the roller-coaster lives of students and their teachers is set in Manchester, the city Adam now calls home. After leaving Libya with their family at a young age, they lived in Canada and Italy, before coming to the UK and staying in Bristol before settling in Manchester. "Which is why my accent is this weird concoction of random places," they say.

Playing Kai has been something of a new direction for Adam. "Last year was very different. I was doing independent stuff and never fathomed the idea of working on a television show," Adam shares, before adding that they very much enjoy the part they play. "I was taken aback by the freedom, the agency that Kai had. That duality at such a young age.