From psychology classes to playing, “Cut!” on set, here are some fun facts for you to check out Alexander: The Creation of GodWill Stevens.
Stevens joins the cast of Netflix’s Alexander the Great documentaries, portraying Hephaestion in the series’ dramatic reenactments of key moments in the Macedonian king’s life.
There has been a lot of speculation about Stevens’ character throughout history, as he is one of the key figures in the argument that Alexander the Great may have been gay, which the series is not afraid to address directly.
Meet Alexander’s Hephaestion actor Will Stevens
Will Stevens went to Oxford University
Before becoming a professional actor, Will Stevens studied psychology and philosophy at the prestigious Oxford University.
Stevens started at Oxford in 2017, the same year he also started drama classes at the Central School of Speech and Drama in North London (per Mandy).
This came after the 5-foot-11 actor had appeared in several theater productions in England, but marked a turning point for Stevens.
Barely two years later (in 2019), Stevens completed an MA in Acting at the London Drama Center, following in the footsteps of Drama Center alumni such as Paul Bettany, Russell Brand and Pierce Brosnan.
Will has acted in several theater productions
Although Stevens is now making a name for himself on the big and small screen, Alexander the actor has also dabbled in acting.
Stevens has appeared in several theater productions throughout his career, including classics such as King Lear (which he presented in 2015).
For his work in Shakespeare’s tragedy, Stevens earned rave reviews, and his work as Cornwall was called “fixed” critics (via The Oxford Culture Review):
“Oliver Skan and Will Stevens as Albany and Cornwall provided solid support to their female counterparts, and Skan came into his own in scenes with Aldred towards the end of the play.”
He has also not shied away from more modern standards, such as family comedies How to save a stone.
Stevens starred in a 2020 production of the multi-award winning play with him “well-timed comic relief” to stand out according to the audience (via The Play’s The Thing UK):
“The performances are very good. The chemistry between the actors playing Jack, Katy and Frankie is excellent and much better than the trio in the scientific opening. More specifically, Will Stevens provides well-timed comic relief as Jack through a humorous, somewhat dark-witted one-liner, but succeeds to move into perfectly paced, long, scientific explanations such as why the British forest is so important.
The way these three bicker is really funny, while their love and support for each other is so real and touching that it cracks me up at times – especially when Jack and Katy sing “The Song.”
Will’s first major role was in the movie Silent Witness
Stevens’ first major role came via a BBC crime drama A silent witness.
The British actor appeared in two episodes of the long-running series in 2020 as Pvt. John Sealy, a soldier whose death is believed to be an accident during a training exercise involving exposure to CS gas.
However, things may not be what they seem, as Richard Lintern’s Dr. Thomas Chamberlain believes that Stevens’ character’s death may have been premeditated and they are dealing with murder instead.
A silent witness has been on the air since 1996 and has aired for 27 seasons. The critically acclaimed crime procedural follows members of a forensic pathology unit and their various investigations across England.
Will has written and directed a short film
While spending a lot of time in front of the camera, Will Stevens has also worked behind the scenes.
In 2023, Stevens wrote and directed a short film called 12 volumes.
A short follow “six stories side by side” examine the inner workings “six different relationships and worlds that share the same words but diverge into their subtext” (via the film’s official synopsis):
“’12 Parts” follows six stories in parallel; six different relationships and worlds that share the same words but fragment their subtext.
This project was so rewarding and fascinating. It’s been so satisfying to focus on the process and get so much, yet end up with such a wonderful end product. What a talented group of actors who bravely bring it all to life!”
Release details for the film have yet to be announced, but in his announcement about the short, Stevens revealed that it would be “coming soon to a packed, short film festival near you.”
How to watch Will Stevens online
Fans who want to keep up with the comings and goings of Will Stevens can follow along Alexander: The Creation of God actor on Instagram with the username Will__Stevens__.
Alexander: The Creation of God now streaming on Netflix.
