Netflix’s big-budget adaptation of the novel Boy Swallows Universe has dominated this year’s TV Week Logie Awards nominations, with 10 nominations all up.
Spearheading that “nomination domination” are actors Felix Cameron and Lee Tiger Halley, who play Eli and Gus Bell in the genre-bending show based on the book by Trent Dalton.
Cameron won the Best Lead Actor in a Drama Logie as well as the Graham Kennedy Award for Most Popular New Talent on the night and became emotional as he thanked his family.
The Boy Swallows Universe cast also happens to include industry legend Bryan Brown, Vikings star Travis Fimmel, in-demand actress Phoebe Tonkin and The Mentalist‘s Simon Baker.
So, what do we know about these two budding stars? Here’s what you need to know about Felix Cameron and Lee Tiger Halley.
Who is Felix Cameron?
Felix Cameron is a young actor from Mount Macedon in Victoria.
His performance as Eli Bell in Boy Swallows Universe marked him immediately as a rising talent to watch.
Fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the 15-year-old’s acting after watching him in the seven-part series.
“Felix Cameron will win an Oscar before he reaches 30 years old. Phenomenal young actor,” one fan said.
Another simply said: “Little dude crushes it.”
Cameron said he “loved everything about playing Eli”.
“But my favourite was being able to show up on set and hang out with cast and crew … They were all awesome, talented people,” he told Star Weekly.
“My main highlights were stealing (the makeup department’s) mints every day, and playing street cricket and footy in between filming scenes.”
Boy Swallows Universe wasn’t Cameron’s acting debut, however – and it wasn’t the first time he had starred alongside big names in the industry.
He performed alongside none other than Naomi Watts in the 2020 Australian drama Penguin Bloom before landing the role of Eli Bell.
Cameron is well-known for his love of sport – especially footy and cricket – and once said his ideal future would include some combination of the two.
“I hope to play some interesting characters with lots of meaning like Eli, or just play ‘Div 12 Ressies’ for the rest of my life!” he told The Star Weekly.
And he’s clearly popular with his co-star Lee Tiger Halley, who posted a sweet tribute on Cameron’s 15th birthday in April 2024.
“15 today for a talented kid and compassionate human,” he wrote, sharing a carousel of images of them hanging out together. “Happy birthday Felix, keep being you.”
Who is Lee Tiger Halley?
Lee Tiger Halley is a West Australian actor who stars alongside Felix Cameron in the Netflix drama Boy Swallows Universe.
The 18-year-old, who hails from Fremantle, also starred in season two of The Heights and played Gonzo The DJ in Crazy Fun Park (2023).
Even if you haven’t watched Boy Swallows Universe, you might recognise Halley – his face is on the cover of the Craig Silvey book Honeybee.
“Yes, in a lovely literary coincidence, Lee Tiger Halley, the face of Honeybee, can also be seen playing Gus Bell in the extraordinary Netflix adaptation of Trent Dalton’s phenomenal novel Boy Swallows Universe,” Silvey wrote on Facebook in January 2024.
“The moment we embarked on the Honeybee cover shoot, I knew Lee was destined for great things. He is humble and understated and enormously talented … Lee’s ability to effortlessly emote has made him a fitting choice to play the reticent Gus Bell, and he has done so brilliantly.
“My earnest congratulations to Lee on his outstanding performance … (Boy Swallows Universe) is a remarkable feat, and a real Australian treasure.”
Halley recently announced that he would next be appearing in the Kiah Roache-Turner WWII drama Beast of War alongside Mark Coles Smith and Sam Delich.
Filming is already underway in New South Wales and Queensland, according to IF magazine.
What is Boy Swallows Universe about?
Boy Swallows Universe is a semi-autographical book by Trent Dalton and was an instant hit when it was released in 2018.
It was adapted into a successful stage show in Queensland in 2021 before Netflix picked it up for an eight-part series in early 2022.
If you haven’t read it, the novel is set in Australia in 1983 and follows the tough life of 12-year-old Eli Bell.
He’s got a mute brother, drug-dealing stepfather, incarcerated mother, lost father, and his greatest support is his babysitter, a notorious ex-con.
He’s just trying to make his way in a world that rarely seems to be on his side.
