Exclusive Interview: Leo Howard Talks ‘Days of Our Lives,’ ‘The Lockdown,’ and More

Leo Howard is a versatile leading man, celebrated for his talents in acting, martial arts, music, and directing. Best known for his standout performances in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, Kickin’ It, Freakish, and Legacies, he consistently incorporates his diverse skill set into his roles, bringing a unique depth and dynamic energy to every project he undertakes, both in front of and behind the camera.

Leo Howard recently joined the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives, captivating audiences with his nuanced and compelling portrayal of Tate. But that’s not all—he’s also starring in The Lockdown, which is out now and already making waves.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Leo about Days of Our Lives, The Lockdown, and more.

PC: You recently joined the cast of Days of Our Lives, and this is the first soap opera you’ve worked on. What’s been the most surprising part of this experience so far? How has this genre and way of storytelling pushed you as a creative?
Leo: I’ve gained much more respect for the people working on these shows than I ever had before. Anything in this industry involves a lot of work, but when I came in, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of how the cookie is made, so to speak.

The way they operate here was very intimidating during the first couple of weeks. It took me about two weeks to settle into the format, the pace, and the amount of dialogue. It really challenges your instincts as an actor because we move so quickly. You have to rely on understanding the material and adapting swiftly. It’s been a great exercise for me to develop this skill set, and everyone’s been fantastic here. I’m not just saying that—I wouldn’t say it at all if it weren’t true.

PC: You grew up with these characters on your television. Do you remember the first moment you discovered Days? Why do you think this series has survived the test of time?
Leo: I do remember—my grandmother was actually a Days of Our Lives fan. I think everyone’s grandmother at some point was a Days of Our Lives fan. But my mom was a General Hospital fan, so there was this rivalry. I grew up with those shows on my TV.

I think it’s stood the test of time partly because of the format. There’s a new episode every day. A lot of people feel like we’re part of their family—we’re in their home on the screen. From talking to people, I’ve learned they develop a bond with these characters and their storylines. They get really invested in it. It offers people a chance to tune out and enjoy some content, providing a form of relief.

PC: What’s so interesting about this character is that he’s at a defining moment in his life, caught between childhood and adulthood. You’ve brought so much nuance to that journey, especially considering his complicated upbringing. How did you find your way into this character?
Leo: Thank you for saying that. I was thrust into it. I replaced Jamie Martin Mann, who was fantastic. He did a great job and really set the foundation well. It was about talking to people and understanding what’s happened. It’s always a tricky dynamic replacing someone because I’m not him. We have different perceptions of the character. He had his version, and I have mine. There are likely some significant differences, but we’re obviously living in the same world under the same sort of circumstances.

PC: This is such an interesting project where you’re taking over a role that other actors have played. Did you take anything from Jamie’s performance and infuse it into your own? How is your version of Tate different?
Leo: The big thing, especially for the fans, is that I’m a little bit older than Jamie. I carry myself a bit older, and that was intentional. As you mentioned, Tate is at a defining point in his life, trying to gain maturity. He’s an old soul, so to speak—he’s had to grow up very fast. I just tried to take what Jamie was doing and age it up slightly. He gave me a really nice platform to build on.

PC: We know you can’t say too much, but what can you tell us about what’s ahead for Tate in the coming episodes?
Leo: A lot of teenage and adult drama. There’s a ton of it. It always blows my mind how they manage to create so much drama all the time. That’s the brand, right? But I’m always impressed when I read the scripts. I’m like, “Oh my God, this is happening now?” There are a lot of twists and turns. We’re six months ahead in terms of what we’re shooting right now, so there’s a lot that happens. Buckle up—there are definitely a lot of different storylines to come.

PC: In addition to starring in the series, you’re also joining the Day Players Band for a couple of performances in November. What can fans expect from your set? How much does music play a role in your acting and the way you prepare for projects, and vice versa?
Leo: I’m really moved by music. I’ve played music for a long time, and it often helps me get into the zone for something. As actors, we try to use whatever we can to ground ourselves in the moment, and music has been very helpful for that. I’ve been passionate about music for many years, playing in different bands. I’m always in my happy place when I’m playing music.

That’s exactly what these guys are doing. They wanted an excuse to play the songs they love and have fun with a bunch of fans. Instead of doing conventions, they thought, “Let’s start a band together.” This was years ago—it happened very organically while they were sitting around in their dressing rooms, playing music. But what I enjoy most about the Day Players is how much fun everyone is genuinely having. It’s not a job; it’s a passion project for all of them. We just play fun songs, and I think people really enjoy it. It’s a party, and it’s fun.

PC: Outside of Days, you’re going to be starring in The Lockdown, which is out on all digital platforms. What can you tell us about the film and your character in it?
Leo: The Lockdown is the complete opposite of Days. It’s a really fun, dark, action flick. The intention behind the film was to bring back a genre that hasn’t been around for a while—those ’90s martial arts action movies. We took that classic storyline and presented it in a more modern, artistic way. I’m really proud of the movie. The action is solid, it looks beautiful, and the storyline is really interesting. I’m excited for people to see it.

PC: What was it about this role in particular that attracted you to it?
Leo: I’ve been doing martial arts my whole life, and many of the projects I’ve done in the past have included action, movement, and choreography. So, as an adult, it was really exciting to revisit that side of my skill set in martial arts and action, especially since I hadn’t done something like that in a couple of years.

They didn’t use any stunt doubles in the film, so everything you see is me and Caity Lotz. The storyline revolves around a brother and sister who go to Myanmar to get the deed to their gym signed by their father. It turns into a locked-up-abroad situation where they’re thrust into an illegal fight ring, where people have to fight to stay off death row. It’s a dark, epic action movie.

PC: You got to do your own stunts for this project. How much does that physicality allow you to tap further into your character’s circumstances? How do you create the space for yourself to delve into the dark places that you had to for this film?
Leo: When it comes to the dark places in the film, it was fairly easy because we shot in a real prison. It’s easy to immerse yourself in that environment—it’s really dark and scary. I’ve never been to prison myself, so just being there was a bit shocking, and I could easily assimilate into the world.

As for the action, I’m really glad I know how to do all that stuff because, in most action films, the action is the story. But in this movie, I feel like the story justifies the action. I feel like I can tell the story through the fight scenes, rather than just having a cool fight that interrupts the narrative. We had the opportunity to add moments in the fights that push the story along, making you care about the characters and what they’re going through. It was fun to play in that kind of circumstance.

PC: We’re in such an exciting time in this industry where streaming platforms are giving projects like this a much broader reach. Is there a scene in particular that you’re really excited for audiences to see?
Leo: There are quite a few scenes in the film that I’m very proud of. I’m especially excited for people to see the action scenes because they really blew me away. But there are also some quieter, more intimate scenes between me and Caity where we’re dealing with the stress of being in prison and in this situation. I really like those scenes.

PC: We hope you have a huge run on Days, but as you look ahead, you’ve done so much. What’s left on your bucket list? Could we see you directing something again in the future?
Leo: I would love that. I’m very passionate about directing, though it’s taken a backseat to acting for now. But I would definitely like to revisit directing in the future. I really look forward to playing roles that I connect with deeply. Every once in a while, I read a script and think, “I get this.” Those are the roles I’m excited to play—the ones where I feel I have something to say. When it comes to work, I love what I do. If I’m standing on a set, I’m happy.

To keep up with Leo, follow him on Instagram.