Inside The L's

LAMDA graduate Leo Oliva talks about the inspiration behind The L’s, the alumni team who brought it to life, and why this affectionate mockumentary captures the heart, humour and chaos of drama school. 

How would you describe The L’s to someone hearing about it for the first time? ​​​​​

The L’s is a mockumentary about life at one of the world’s top drama schools: Think The Office meets Fame, with a touch of Theatre Camp and a healthy dose of truth. It’s entertaining, funny, and deeply personal; really it's a love letter to actor training, and what it means to put everything on the line for what you love.  

What inspired you to create the series? Was there a particular experience that sparked the idea? 

It began from the shared experience of training at LAMDA; the pressure, the camaraderie, the awkwardness, the breakthroughs. We wanted to celebrate that journey while poking fun at ourselves, born out of those moments when you look at your friends and say, “drama school people will really get this,” but everyone will find something to laugh about.

How did your own time at LAMDA influence The L’s? 

Everything from the tone to the rhythm of the show comes from that experience. Since nearly all of the writers and performers trained with me on the MFA Classical Acting programme, we had lots of shared memories to draw on. Even the title is a homage to the long standing LAMDA tradition of assigning courses with a random letter!

The show was made by LAMDA alumni — what was the creative process like? 

We worked hard to create an environment in the writers’ room where absolutely anything could fly, where no idea was too outrageous and where we could build on each other’s concepts freely without judgment. The rule was simple: if it worked on the page and in the story, and if LAMDA were happy, we would run with it. 

Everyone on writing team also acts in the series, which really helped us shape characters that played to their particular strengths as performers. It was a true collaboration; born out of trust, shared humour, and the kind of creative freedom that only happens when you’re surrounded by people who believe in each other completely.  

What was the highlight of filming the series for you personally? 

I spent days creating a very detailed shot list for how we would approach each day of filming, but by lunchtime on day one, we had already finished everything I’d planned for the entire day. What could have been a logistical nightmare turned into one of the most exciting parts of the process. It meant we had extra time to improvise and play, which I think added more life and authenticity to the finished series.

How did you balance humour and authenticity while making sure the satire still felt affectionate? 

We always led with honesty and love. The humour in The L’s comes from recognition rather than ridicule. It's funny because it's truthful, and because we have all been there, trying our best, getting it wrong, and learning along the way. We wanted to celebrate those moments, not make fun of them. 

How do projects like this help alumni stay connected to one another — and to LAMDA — after graduation? 

Honestly, I do not think there is another project quite like this anywhere. Having something that is both created by alumni and supported by the institution itself is incredibly special. The sense of ongoing community has been one of the most rewarding parts of the whole process for me, and I hope the series encourages alumni viewers to connect or re-connect with LAMDA. 

What does it mean to have LAMDA’s support in bringing this project to life? 

LAMDA’s support has meant everything. It is one thing to graduate from a school that prepares you for the industry, but it is something entirely different to have that same school stand behind you as a creative peer. LAMDA’s willingness to champion its graduates beyond training shows a real investment in the people they help shape, which has been both empowering and deeply validating for me personally.

What’s your perspective on the importance of artists creating their own work in today’s industry? 

I think it is essential. Self-created work allows us to take control of our artistic paths, rather than waiting for permission. As the industry continues to struggle with telling original stories, I think every actor should learn what it takes to create their own work. That is how new voices will emerge in film, television, and theatre. After all, Shakespeare did it, why can’t we?

What do you hope people feel when they finish watching the series? 

I want them to say, “wow, that looked amazing!” and then, “I want to watch more!”. Without giving anything away, I hope people are left wondering what might happen next for the characters, and their production of Hamlet. 

Beyond that, I hope audiences feel the joy, the chaos, and the heart that come from chasing something you love. If people walk away smiling, laughing, and already asking when the next season is coming, then we have done our job.