SULE Thelwell, a member of theatre company QUILT, has landed a role in the American drama series Saint X which is set to premiere on Hulu and Disney+ on April 26.

Thelwell, 21, plays Desmond.

In an interview with the Jamaica Observer, he explained how he secured a recurring role in seven of eight episodes of the psychological thriller.

“I auditioned in the summer of 2021 for a series that at the time I thought was for Netflix. Turns out my manager did that, so I understood the scope of the opportunity. From that perspective and seeing as I had only just completed my first year of training at drama school, the most I expected from the opportunity was just to be seen by the people who make these big things happen. We just wanted my face out there,” he said.

“So, you send in a tape and then forget about it. And so I did. Six months later, one day, amidst my regular drama school stress, my manager calls and is like … ‘You’re being considered for a role in a Hulu/Disney+ series’. I was immediately taken aback. I had to do more auditions, and chemistry reads, before it got down to the final three. I did not end up getting the role and my heart broke. But then my absolutely amazing casting director Julie Schubert said, ‘Everyone here loves you, and we’re looking for other opportunities for you this season’. And a month later I was offered the role of Desmond,” Thelwell continued.

Based on Alexis Schaitkin’s 2020 best-selling novel, Saint X explores how a young woman’s mysterious death pulls her surviving sister toward pursuit of the truth.

Directed by Darren Grant and produced by Randol Perelman Taylor, Saint X also stars Alycia Debnam Carey, Melissa Juliet Lawson, Jayden Elijah, Bre Francis, Betsy Brandt, and Kenlee Anaya.

Thelwell gave a peek into the production of the series.

“I met people that will always have a place in my tribe. I’ve gained friends, I’ve gained teachers, I’ve gained a support system that I have to thank God for. Six months away, everything you know for the second time feels even harder than the first. It really was a test of my faith, my beliefs, my commitments, and my promises to myself. So, all in all, it was cool,” he said.

Born in Spanish Town, Thelwell attended Glenmuir High School in Clarendon and DeCarteret College in Manchester. Acting was never in his plans.

“At the age of 17, I graduated from Glenmuir High with an Outstanding Achievement Award and planned to become an architect. Three days later, I attended a summer school drama camp in May Pen and heard: ‘You could be in commercials’ from my now manager, Rayon McLean, and decided that very evening, much to my mother’s dismay, to throw all that out the window and pursue acting. I am presently engaged in conservatoire training at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London on a first-of-its-kind full tuition scholarship,” said Thelwell.

Founded by Rayon McLean, QUILT is a group of young creative artists exploring and sharing transformative theatre.