Interview: The unique perspectives of Presley Alexander
“I like getting to pick and choose what aspects of gender I want to perform and create my own way of existing, instead of trying to conform to the standard of either masculinity or femininity. I just do what I enjoy. It’s freedom.”
— Presley Alexander.
At 19, Presley Alexander is already carving a distinct path through Hollywood—not just because of their breakout role in The Accountant 2, but because of how intentionally they show up, both on and off screen. Cast as Lane, a neurodivergent hacker in the Ben Affleck-led sequel, Presley brings real-life experience as a queer, non-binary, and autistic actor into the role, and it shows. Their performance helped shape the film’s emotional core, earning praise after its SXSW premiere for being as sharp as it is quietly radical.
But Presley’s story doesn’t start in a blockbuster. From running a popular YouTube channel as a kid to becoming a public voice for queer youth before they hit their teens, they’ve long blurred the line between advocacy and art. Throw in early college degrees, entomology nerd-outs, and a dry sense of humor, and you’ve got someone redefining what a young actor can be—on their own terms.
What was your first reaction when you found out you got the role of Lane in “The Accountant 2”?
I was fittingly very autistic about it. My parents came in to congratulate me, and I just kind of stared into space and said, “Oh. That’s good.” And then told them I was very excited with a straight face. I knew at the time that if I let myself feel how crazy this was, I would just fall apart. I had no idea what it meant until I got an email asking me to help come up with a name for my character. That’s when I knew this was going to be something really special.
Could you describe Lane to us without giving too much away?
Lane is a neurodivergent hacking prodigy who works with Christian. Harbor Neuroscience gave them a place to belong, and that’s where they really thrive. Christian built a family in Harbor, and Lane is part of that family. They’re a representation of what people like me can achieve if their neurodivergence is embraced and supported instead of hidden away.
Did you do any special prep work for this role?
I grew up in a very computer-oriented household since my dad works in tech, so when I heard this was a hacker role, I went all in on researching that. My poor friends had to deal with me asking if I could try and get into their security cameras. I also had to spend a lot of time learning how to unmask my autism. Playing a character who had never felt like they had to hide that part of themself was hard. I would just sit in my room and try to figure out what it was like to just exist without worrying about how other people think.
How was your experience on set for this one?
I really couldn’t speak more highly of it. From the moment I got there, it was the most accommodating, kind place. They had already thought ahead about what we needed and made sure that the set wasn’t overstimulating before we even set foot inside. I didn’t even realize how loud and stressful film sets were for me until I was on this one, and suddenly my job was so much easier than it is normally.
What's been the most surprising part of your journey in the entertainment industry so far?
I’ve had a really great experience, and given the amount of horror stories you hear, that’s been a huge surprise for me. When I moved to LA, I kind of expected it to be this other world full of sabotage and crazy people and pressure. That’s the way it seems when you watch movies set in Hollywood. But really, my experience in the industry has mostly been hanging out with other nerds who like movies. I’ve met a lot of incredible, supportive people who accept me for who I am. I remember telling my manager I was queer, and instead of asking me to tone it down like I expected, she was excited and told me that there were lots of roles looking for people like me.
How do you unwind after a long day on set? Any favorite hobbies or guilty pleasures?
Gaming. So much gaming. I’ve been playing all the Zelda games in order recently, so that’s been most of what I do in my trailer or at home. I also raise beetles and have a pet tarantula, so spending time with them always makes me feel better. I’m currently taking classes towards a forensic science degree, which is something I’ve always wanted to do. I’m bad at unwinding! I really just need to keep my brain occupied with something all the time. So on top of all that, I also have a million creative hobbies. I basically own an entire craft store at this point.
How do you think your experiences as a queer, non-binary, and autistic person shape the stories you want to tell?
Honestly, I’m still figuring that out. I grew up in a world where there just weren’t stories by people like me, and so being given the opportunity to start creating them is surreal. It’s hard to know where to start. I want to tell stories for my younger self and be the kind of person they would’ve wanted to see on screen. Which, I guess, just means I want to keep being myself and hoping it works out for me.
On that same note, what would you like to see in Hollywood as far as representation goes for queer, non-binary, and/or autistic people?
More stories where we can just exist! I feel like a lot of stories about both queerness and neurodivergence really center around how painful those things can be. Those are real stories, and they’re important, but I also just want to see people like myself in every genre. I want wisecracking superheroes who just happen to be neurodivergent or tough action stars who end up with another woman instead of a man. The most privileged groups of people have had power fantasies for so long. I want it to be our turn to have our own.
What does being non-binary mean for you personally? How has it shaped the way you interact with others?
Frankly, I could talk about this for hours, so I’m going to try to keep this relatively short. My experience with non-binary identity comes primarily from being a lesbian. There’s a long history when it comes to lesbians and our existence outside of the gender binary, and the concept of being a butch just felt right to me. I like getting to pick and choose what aspects of gender I want to perform and create my own way of existing, instead of trying to conform to the standard of either masculinity or femininity. I just do what I enjoy. It’s freedom.
Can you share a memorable moment or funny story from filming “The Accountant 2” that stands out to you?
Well, on the first day, I startled Gavin pretty badly by asking him if one of the scenes in the original film was improv. It was right before I went home for the day, and I went up and said that my favorite part was when Ben does this awkward little wave after shooting someone, and asked if that was improv. Gavin got quiet for a second and went, “How did you know that?” It turns out he hadn’t told anyone it was improv, but always loved that moment and never found the right time to bring it up.
Where does your passion for entomology come from? What are your favorite insects right now and why?
I’ve been into insects my entire life. My best friend since preschool will tell you many stories of me picking up bugs off the ground and putting them on people. I like to think I have a lot in common with insects—we’re small, easily underestimated, and often misunderstood. My favorite insects are beetles! They’re so diverse and important to how the ecosystem functions. It’s crazy seeing how different each species is. Also, I have a pet rainbow stag beetle, and he would pinch me if I said anything else. My favorite beetles are the American Burying Beetle! They’re endangered, and I’ve been donating some of the money I get from acting to their conservation.
What’s a song or artist that you currently can’t stop listening to, and how does it inspire you in your work?
Apparently, my top artist this month is Fiona Apple, which doesn’t surprise me at all. I listen to her music like I need it to breathe. She’s genuinely one of the best poets of all time, and her music has this visceral quality that makes it so very cathartic to listen to. I love The Cure, as well as just Robert Smith in general. I got to see My Chemical Romance after they got back together, which was life-changing for an emo teenager. I remember literally sobbing on my floor and calling my dad when the news broke that they were together again.
What’s coming next for Presley Alexander?
I’m the lead in a horror film shooting this fall, which I think is going to be something really special. I can’t wait to be able to talk about it more, but for now, all I can really say is that I play a feral little girl with claws trying to find a family. It’s genuinely been a dream of mine since I was a little kid to be in a horror movie, especially one with cool prosthetics! We’ve got a dream team coming together to shoot in upstate New York in the fall, and it’s going to be incredible.