Imagine stepping into the shoes of a real person, knowing their story could break hearts and challenge perceptions. That’s exactly what rising star Leo Woodall faced in the WWII drama Nuremberg, where he portrays Army translator Howard Triest. But here’s where it gets emotional: the film’s most gut-wrenching moment isn’t just a scene—it’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the life of a man torn between his past and his duty. Spoiler alert: if you haven’t seen Nuremberg yet, you might want to grab some tissues and prepare for a journey that’s as powerful as it is poignant.
For Woodall, taking on this role was no small feat. Portraying a real person for the first time, he felt the weight of responsibility, especially after meeting Howard Triest’s relatives. In a serendipitous encounter at the Telluride Film Festival, Woodall was approached by Triest’s granddaughter, Katie, who, along with her brother Jonathon, attended the Nuremberg premiere at the Toronto Film Festival. ‘It suddenly all felt even more real to me,’ Woodall shared. ‘Having them in the audience was both powerful and humbling.’ Thankfully, the family didn’t nitpick his performance—a relief he admits with a laugh.
Directed by James Vanderbilt, Nuremberg dives into the complexities of justice and humanity. Howie Triest, played by Woodall, works alongside psychiatrist Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek) to assess the mental state of Nazi prisoners awaiting trial. Among them is Hermann Göring (Russell Crowe), Hitler’s right-hand man. For much of the film, Howie remains an enigma—a helpful soldier in a Detroit Tigers ballcap. But this is the part most people miss: when Kelley is dismissed after questioning the prosecutor’s ability to convict the Nazis, Howie steps up. At a train station, as Kelley prepares to leave, Howie reveals his haunting backstory.
Born in Munich to a Jewish family, Howie was sent to the United States as the Nazis rose to power. He landed in Michigan, learned English through baseball, and returned to Europe as an American soldier on D-Day. While his sister Margot survived, his parents perished in Auschwitz. This revelation, delivered with a single tear rolling down Woodall’s face, is the film’s most moving moment. ‘The story is heartbreaking,’ Woodall explains. ‘You just need to tell it truthfully, without overdoing it.’
To prepare, Woodall immersed himself in research, watching the 2006 documentary Journey to Justice and studying Triest’s interactions with Nazi prisoner Julius Streicher. Here’s where it gets controversial: Streicher, believing Triest to be Aryan, once sneered, ‘I can smell a Jew from a mile away.’ This chilling detail underscores the film’s exploration of identity and survival. Woodall admits he’s not typically an academic actor, but this role demanded a deeper dive. ‘I had to trust my gut on what felt authentic,’ he said. Interestingly, Katie Triest revealed that her grandfather likely despised being called ‘Howie’—a detail Woodall found both amusing and insightful.
This role marks a turning point in Woodall’s rapidly rising career. After breakout performances in The White Lotus Season 2, One Day, and Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, he’s now stepping into the spotlight with Tuner, a 2026 crime caper co-starring Dustin Hoffman. ‘Working with Dustin was a dream,’ Woodall gushes. ‘He’s a magical performer and such a kind, funny guy.’ Sharing the screen with Oscar winners like Hoffman, Malek, and Crowe has been ‘surreal,’ but Woodall stays grounded. ‘I try to balance awe with focus,’ he says. ‘At the end of the day, I’m just doing my best with the opportunities I’ve been given.’
Now, here’s a question for you: How do you think actors should approach portraying real people with such traumatic histories? Does the responsibility to honor their stories outweigh artistic interpretation? Let’s discuss in the comments—I’m curious to hear your thoughts!
