Will Poulter Says It’s “Really Upsetting” to See Americans Forget the Country Was Built by Immigrants

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Actor Will Poulter is using his presence at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival to discuss societal issues in the US and the UK. At the premiere of his new movie, Union County, he shared his strong concerns about the way immigration is being talked about in Western countries.

Poulter shared with Variety that he feels similarly about the UK. He expressed his disappointment that many Americans seem to forget the significant contributions immigrants have made to the country.

These reactions are happening when feelings are already running high about border security and what’s happening inside the country. At the film festival in Park City, many filmmakers and actors have been responding to news about increasing violence connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Poulter understands it’s tricky being in the public eye when politics are involved. He sees himself as an actor, not someone who leads protests, but he believes he has a duty to highlight important issues and encourage positive change.

Will Poulter expressed his disappointment seeing Americans overlook the significant contributions of immigrants to the country. He added that he feels similarly about the UK, his home country. Poulter shared these thoughts with Variety at the premiere of his new film, “Union County,” a dramatic story…

— Variety (@Variety) January 25, 2026

Adam Meeks’ film, Union County, which premiered at Sundance, is a realistic and raw drama. It stars Jack Poulter as Cody Parsons, a man completing a court-ordered recovery program in rural Ohio amidst the opioid crisis. What makes the film special is its commitment to authenticity – it features actual members of an Ohio treatment center and many non-actors playing versions of themselves.

Will Poulter has been working on several projects lately, including a role as pastry chef Luca in the popular show The Bear. He also recently appeared in the war film Warfare with Noah Centineo, who he previously worked with. Critics have praised the strong connection between Poulter and Centineo in the new film, which also features Emily Meade, Elise Kibler, and Annette Deao.

I’m already looking forward to seeing what Rory Poulter does next! He’s got a really busy 2026 lined up, and I just heard he’s going to be in Boots Riley’s new sci-fi comedy, ‘I Love Boosters.’ The cast sounds fantastic too – Demi Moore and LaKeith Stanfield are also starring, so that’s definitely one to watch!

His latest role echoes his work in the series Dopesick, but this time he plays a man struggling to overcome addiction and rebuild his life. Like Dopesick, this project examines the opioid crisis, but focuses on the communities most affected and the broader systems that contribute to the problem. This experience informs his public advocacy for social justice and human rights.

I’ve been thinking about Will Poulter’s recent comments – it’s really interesting to hear his take on how immigrants are portrayed, and whether actors even have a duty to address these kinds of important social issues. It got me wondering about the power of film to shape perceptions, and if celebrities should use their platform to spark conversations like this. It’s a complex topic, and I’m curious to hear what others think about his viewpoint.

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2026-01-26 10:45