Alex Thomas-Smith: From West End to Netflix, Authenticity On and Off Stage

In this episode of Queer Talker, host Ben Cicchetti sits down with Alex Thomas-Smith — actor and performer whose credits span the West End, TV, and Netflix, including & Juliet, What It Feels Like For A Girl, and Lena Dunham’s Too Much.Alex reflects on their journey from childhood to the stage, sharing early memories of queer representation from Big Brother’s Nadia and Coronation Street’s Hayley Cropper, and why those moments of visibility mattered. They open up about growing up in challenging circumstances, finding strength with their sisters, and embracing authenticity without ever feeling the need for a formal “coming out.”From the thrill of starring in & Juliet to balancing intimacy and spectacle on their wedding day, Alex speaks candidly about love, representation, and how neurodiversity shapes their creativity and career. They also discuss the importance of refusing roles that erase identity, and the joy of telling queer stories unapologetically.This is a conversation about representation, resilience, and what it means to be brave enough to live without limits.Chapters00:00 Queer Panic Rapid Fire07:20 Childhood and Early Influences13:12 Awareness of Queerness19:09 Authenticity and Self-Expression25:07 Marriage and Personal Milestones25:13 The Reality of Performing Eight Shows a Week28:41 Navigating Relationships in the Theatre World31:16 Stage vs. Screen: A Performer’s Perspective33:19 Experiences on What It Feels Like For A Girl and Too Much38:51 Choosing Projects: Aligning with Authenticity40:36 The Shift in Queer Representation42:25 Neurodiversity and Performance44:47 Advice to Young Queer IndividualsConnect with Ben Cicchetti:Website - https://www.queertalker.com Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bencicchetti/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@BenCicchettiTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@bencicchetti