SPOTLIGHT: Jason Patel
Coat - Eytys
Interview - Tajinder Hayer
Photography & Creative Direction - Davide Edoardo
Photography Assistance - Vitoria Ribeiro
Styling - Rosario Boncoraglio
Photographer Davide Edoardo captures British actor Jason Patel in a captivating photo series that showcases his charisma and energy.
Emerging actor Jason Patel stars alongside Ben Hardy in the lead roles of Unicorns, a film directed by Sally El Hosaini and James Krishna Floyd, now streaming on Netflix. The movie tells the captivating story of a queer love affair between Ashiq (played by Jason), a Muslim Indian man from Manchester who works at a drugstore by day and transforms into a glamorous drag queen by night, and Luke (Ben Hardy), a single father from Essex. Unicorns is a heartfelt exploration of love, identity, and belonging.
Raised in a working-class Indian family in Manchester, Jason Patel grew up immersed in diverse cultures and music. His musical career gained momentum with singles like One Last Dance, 6iX, and Choclafied. Unicorns features his song One Last Dance and a live performance of Somewhere Special from his most recent EP, Delicious.
These striking portraits of Jason Patel capture not only his undeniable talent but also the depth of his presence. With Unicorns and his upcoming musical releases, Jason’s star is undeniably on the rise, having been named a Screen Star of Tomorrow (Screen International) and Breakthrough Performer by BIFA.
Coat - Eytys, Arm Warmers - Dries Van Noten
Unicorns is a beautifully layered story about love, identity, and self-discovery. What drew you to the role of Ashiq, and how did you prepare for such a complex character?
I was drawn to this role because of the story—it just clicked. I deeply understood the idea of breaking free from the norm, of immersing yourself in a world where you can fully embrace who you are. Aysha/Ashiq was beautifully written, and I saw so much I could bring to the character.
I joke that I’ve been preparing for this role my entire life. Growing up, I never expected anything to be handed to me—I had to work twice as hard for opportunities that others seemed to receive effortlessly. That’s not a dig at anyone; it’s just the reality of my world. I saw that struggle in my parents too, and it gave me an innate drive, discipline, and vision to be the best version of myself for something bigger than me. That mindset gave me the stamina to take on this breakthrough role. I was ready for this opportunity—to give it my all and unlock even more in myself. It might sound ridiculous to some, but to me, it makes perfect sense.
Playing Ashiq means portraying both his daytime life and his transformation into a drag queen at night. How did you approach capturing both sides of his identity?
It took a lot of preparation—rehearsals, fully immersing myself in the process, and deep diving into the relationships that define Aysha/Ashiq. In many ways, I had to prepare two different characters with the goal of bringing them together as one cohesive whole. It was an incredible experience, and I learned so much.
There’s a lot of code-switching happening, and I approached it with a sense of musicality. It wasn’t a solo effort—having an incredible team, led by directors James and Sally, meant I had the support to collaborate and bring multiple perspectives into layering this character for a truly authentic performance.
“I deeply understood the idea of breaking free from the norm, of immersing yourself in a world where you can fully embrace who you are”
Your chemistry with Ben Hardy is central to the film. How did you two build that dynamic both on and off-screen?
Chemistry isn’t something you can buy or fake—you either have it, or you don’t. Fortunately, we had that instant connection, and you’re right, it’s central to the film. We were locked in, and our dynamic had a natural symbiosis. I really cherish that.
Ben has so much experience, and I learned a lot from him. He made me feel supported, and we worked as a team. Our bond has only grown stronger over time. Interestingly, the directors kept us apart during rehearsals, so a lot of what you see on screen is us genuinely building our connection in real-time.
Unicorns is being celebrated for its representation of queer love and South Asian identity. How important was it for you to bring authenticity to Ashiq’s story?
Representation is my top priority. We need to keep championing diverse stories and supporting each other as a community. That’s how we ensure more incredible narratives and faces are recognised internationally.
I don’t want to see our industry backslide or be influenced by political culture wars—it’s frustrating. That’s why, for me, authenticity is essential in every role, not just Ashiq’s. People see through inauthenticity. If a performance isn’t from the heart, they won’t believe it. I always vow to give my heart to every creative project I take on.
“Representation is my top priority. We need to keep championing diverse stories and supporting each other as a community. That’s how we ensure more incredible narratives and faces are recognised internationally”
The film also features your music, including "One Last Dance." How does your background as a musician influence your acting performances?
I think music and acting complement each other beautifully. It’s not uncommon for artists to cross over between the two disciplines. Acting makes me a better musician, and music enhances my acting. It strengthens my ability to engage, listen, and interpret nuances.
I understand the tones, textures, layers, and harmonies of a story—how it shifts and evolves. Having my music in Unicorns is such a proud and honourable moment in my career.
Sweater - Acne Studios, Jacket - Leo Prothman
You’ve been recognised as a Screen Star of Tomorrow and a Breakthrough Performer. How has this recognition impacted your career so far?
This past year has been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. But these two recognitions were massive highs—they allowed me to be seen in rooms I’d only dreamed of entering.
Opportunities in our industry can be scarce, so to receive this kind of recognition proves that people are truly rooting for me. These moments have been beacons of hope and motivation, pushing me to keep going. I am really thankful the creatives I have been able to meet and be in rooms with as it is something I have dreamed of for so long so I will continue to push to be in those spaces to work with incredible creatives that I admire and am inspired by.
The Rakish Gent is all about luxury fashion and personal style. How would you describe your signature style, both on and off the red carpet?
I’d describe my signature style as a redefinition of modern masculinity. I love tailoring and suits—playing with those traditions and fusing them with fresh, expressive interpretations.
For me, fashion is about dressing to feel good and express myself. I live for luxury fashion, but I don’t follow trends. I focus on personal style—something that’s an extension of my creativity. I feel like I’m training myself to be a creative director one day.
Drag culture is known for its bold and expressive fashion. Did playing Ashiq influence your personal approach to style in any way?
I think I’m always evolving, so subconsciously, playing Ashiq has influenced my approach to style. Fashion has always been a big part of my life—it’s shaped my confidence and self-expression.
Working with the costume, hair, and makeup designers on Unicorns was a key part of building Ashiq and Aysha. We all brought different mood boards, reference images, and perspectives to the table. It reinforced just how much style plays a role in identity, self-expression, and storytelling.
Shirt - David Koma, Sweater - Acne Studios
With Unicorns now streaming on Netflix, what’s next for you? Are there any upcoming acting or music projects you can share?
I was recently part of BBC’s crime thriller Virdee, so you can catch me in that. I hope the show has a long life because it was an incredible cast and team to work with.
Right now, I’m focused on not rushing. Last year, I felt a lot of pressure—I started caring too much about external expectations and felt like I was chasing something. But in reality, I’m not chasing anything. I’ve refocused on what truly matters: creating meaningful work that I care about and that’s fun.
I’m working on multiple projects that are exciting, intense, and pushing me further than ever. Great things take time, but I’m lucky to have an amazing support system and to be collaborating with incredible people. It’s safe to say—you won’t be getting rid of me anytime soon!
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from your journey so far, and what advice would you give to other aspiring actors and musicians?
I’ve learned some hard truths about inequality and the lack of opportunity in both industries. The odds are stacked against me, but my greatest strength is that I never give up. When things are made difficult for me, I take it as motivation to grow even further.
I don’t hold onto resentment—it’s all love. I’m here to bring people together and to keep creating.
My advice to aspiring actors and musicians? Go get lost and be found. Meaning—explore the world, gain life experience, and truly discover who you are. That’s what will make your art meaningful. It will deepen your ability to connect, articulate, and express yourself in ways you never imagined.