IN Conversation with Actor Presley Alexander with a breakout role in 'The Accountant 2'

Interview: Ilana Slavit

Photography: Cathryn Farnsworth (@cathrynfarnsworth)

Styling: Nicholas Sauer (@nicholasjsauer)

Sharing the screen with industry heavyweights Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal, queer, non-binary, and autistic actor Presley Alexander makes a grounded debut in Amazon/MGM’s The Accountant 2, now playing in theaters.

Presley brings authenticity and emotional nuance to the role of Lane, a neurodivergent hacker trained at the elite Harbor Neuroscience Academy. Cast through a diversity-forward initiative, Presley collaborated closely with director Gavin O’Connor to shape their realized character, in part, allowing a meaningful and entertaining elevation of the film.

Their advice to young actors navigating systemic barriers? Be unapologetically yourself: “The right people will find you.”

Over email, we dive into a conversation about hope, identity, and the power of simply existing.

Ilana Slavit: Your character, Lane, is a neurodivergent hacker trained at the elite Harbor Neuroscience Academy. What did the process look like collaborating with director Gavin O’Connor to portray Lane’s character?

Presley Alexander: Gavin is incredible. I couldn’t have come out of this with more respect for someone. He really cares about getting things right, and he cares deeply about every single person on that set. My first day on set was just talking with him about my experiences as an autistic person and how that shaped my world. He listened to every detail, even me mentioning that my special interest was bugs. When I came back the next day, my desk was covered in insect toys! It was such a freeing experience to have my autism celebrated and worked with so intentionally. Honestly, it’s the quietest film set I’ve ever worked on, and that’s because he cared about not overstimulating us. I never even considered how loud sets usually are until I saw what it was like to be on one that was focused on making me feel comfortable. 

IS: How did it feel working with seasoned industry veterans Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal on The Accountant 2 as a young actor?

PA: They’re both lovely! I try not to think of them as celebrities or anything. To me, they’re just people. It makes it a lot easier to share the screen with them when you don’t let yourself get anxious about their star power. I’ll admit that sometimes it still got the best of me, and I felt like I’d wandered into the wrong room when I ran into them at a party. I grew up watching them both, and it’s still crazy to see my name in the credits next to theirs. 

IS: You have been an active advocate since age seven, launching the YouTube channel ActOutGames and creating videos on science, LGBTQ+ identity, and mental health. What have you learned since then about the importance of media to create change?

PA: One of the things I remember most about my time on YouTube is just how many people came out to me in my comments section. Many of them said they were coming out to me, and only me, because the people around them weren’t supportive, but I made them feel safe by being open about myself. That will always stick with me. There’s so much power in simply existing and being visible when you’re part of a marginalized group, and I’ve seen that firsthand. YouTube lets you connect with people all around the world — I met a lot of people and heard a lot of amazing stories, and I really do think that makes you a better person. 

IS: Do you have any suggestions for how youth can make change in their communities?

PA: Start with what’s right in front of you. Talk to your friends and family if it’s safe. Always listen to people less privileged than you, and uplift their voices. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to get it wrong. Activism can be tricky, and you’re never going to be perfect at it. But what really matters is being a better person than you were yesterday. You’re always going to be learning and changing, and that’s great! As long as you genuinely just care about other human beings and are willing to listen, you’re going to make change happen. It’s usually slow and hard to notice, but you’re already creating change by being willing to help.

IS: In addition to your work in media and activism, you have a variety of skills and interests, such as entomology, conversational Japanese, and associate degrees in Journalism, Psychology, and Astronomy. How do your passions inform or strengthen your acting work?

PA: I love learning more than anything else. Obviously, it means I know more about certain parts I take on, which is always nice. But most importantly, it’s made me pretty good at research. A lot of people underestimate how much research is involved in acting, but if you want to portray a character well, you want to understand them. For me, the easiest way to understand a character is to research what their world is like. I always have some Wikipedia tab open on an obscure topic. Sometimes it really comes in handy! I’m still hoping there will be an opportunity for me to flex my knowledge about Victorian window taxes.

IS: Do you have any advice for young actors who might be worried about systemic barriers in the film industry?

PA: People will tell you that you’re making barriers up. You’re not. They’re very real. But just because they exist doesn’t mean they’re impossible to break through. Do what you love, and don’t ever apologize for who you are. The right people will find you eventually. Always make art for yourself first. As much as society can seem to hate variations from the norm, it also is fascinated by them. I’ve found a lot of success in being incredibly loud about who I am, because the people you actually want to work with will always want to listen.

IS: How can the film industry continue to broaden representation and showcase lived experiences?

PA: Hire more diverse people! In every position. Writers, crew, actors, directors — anything. Give us more characters who just happen to be Black, or autistic, or queer, and who are just as cool as everyone else. Real representation starts from behind the camera. If your crew is made up of people of all kinds, it’s pretty hard to go wrong. 

IS: The current US administration continues to spread harmful and inaccurate information about autistic individuals. What are some common misconceptions about autism you would like to correct?

PA: Don’t even get me started. Most of us are perfectly capable of paying taxes, and Christian is especially capable of paying taxes. Autism is not a monolith, and it doesn’t make anyone lesser. Autistic people are still human beings, just ones who have a different brain. I’ve talked a lot about how many autistic people can live ‘normal’ lives, but I also want to support those who don’t. Characters like Justine are important because they show that those of us who would often be seen as ‘low-functioning’ are just as capable and intelligent as the rest of the world. Autistic people are not better the more they conform to society’s standards. And autism does not make us babies. That’s the most frustrating one. People often treat me like a child when they learn I have autism. It drives me crazy. If I wanted you to treat me differently, I would ask you to.

IS: How can allies better support communities they are not a part of, such as the neurodiverse and/or queer community?

PA: Literally just listen! Uplift voices in communities you’re not part of, and don’t be afraid to correct your peers when they’re spreading something harmful. Allies are incredibly important to marginalized communities in countless ways, and showing your support in whatever ways you can is already doing so much to make the world better. Sometimes being a good ally is learning about queer theory, or correcting misinformation about autism. But sometimes being a good ally is just listening to your autistic friend talk about their special interest. There’s a lot to be said about the power of just making people around you feel more comfortable.

IS: Do you have any messages of hope for queer and neurodiverse youth?

PA: We’re gonna be okay. It’s scary right now, and I can’t deny it, but we’ve been through hard times before. Our communities are strong for a reason. If society won’t give you a place, make it. Fight for other people like you, and fight so that the next generation has it better. And take care of yourself. Don’t fall apart. The people who want to hurt us love seeing us burn out — don’t give them that satisfaction.

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