Resident Evil has to be the most successful video game turned movie franchise ever, how does it feel to be alongside Mila Jovovich in the final instalment?
Mila is THE embodiment of the ultimate female action star, so I was incredibly honoured to share scenes with her. She is a remarkably talented woman, and working with her was a pleasure, I just tried to learn from her what I could.
Have you been a fan of the Resident Evil franchise in the past?
Yep, I used to play all the video games and I’m a huge fan of zombie stories, so I had seen all the previous 5. Paul kick started the zombie revolution back into the public consciousness with the first film, so from the moment I got the chance to speak with him about this project I was on board.
Merlin was such a hit on television, how has the experience between Film and Television varied?
Merlin was such a tight knit group, both cast and crew, that I don’t will be replicated. Because I was working with those people for three years you become part of each other’s woodwork. Films are shorter in life span by design, so they’re more intense experiences. On TV there is more of a chance to explore a longer deeper arc of character, but Film is so visceral that you are just hanging on for the ride.
You’re developing quite a broad body of work in acting, modelling and writing – do you have a favourite area?
I love acting, and I love film making and writing. I am just trying to make stories, and I work very hard in my free time to try and create projects because it helps me grow, and because I want to work with creative people that I admire. If I can continue doing this then I will be very happy.
When it comes to being an author, how do you establish ideas for your novels? Where does it all begin?
I sometimes see an entire story from beginning to end just from watching a person, or correlating a newspaper story with a moment in time. I don’t know, I’m always thinking about people and events, and sometimes art sparks it, sometimes music. I need to move though, when I’m moving is when my brain thinks clearer, either through traveling, running, or just walking through a city.
With so many projects on the go, how do you keep across them all? Do you work on them all at once or do they happen in stages?
Acting is usually more linear, you move from one project to the next and have the time to streamline that character and the thought process. With writing, I’ve been working on some scripts for 4 or 5 years, but I won’t work on them for maybe a year or two, other times I write a novel straight through in a few months, or a script in a few weeks. But it depends. I have a plethora of stories sitting around that are unfinished that I will work on when something sparks them.
The areas you work in seem to be quite action packed, are there any other genres you are keen to work in?
I would love to do some comedy. My mum wants me to do a romantic comedy so that my grandmother can have a good laugh with it.
Quick Fire Questions, Zombie’s or Wizards?
Wizards, because they’re basically hipster magicians aren’t they.
Swords or Guns?
Swords, more masculine and fairer in a fight.
Seaside or Riverside?
Seaside, I grew up by the sea, and if I go long periods without seeing the ocean I get unhappy.
Tea or coffee?
Coffee, all day every day.
Interview by Ian Casey
Photography by Andrea Vecchiato
Hair by Stan Watts @ The King’s Canary Salon, Make up by Gloria Penaranda
Styling by Valentina Tiurbini
Clothes: Denim jacket by All Saints, Sweater by Reiss – Jacket by Anthony Morato, Sweater by American Vintage – Leather jacket by Schott, hoodie by AmericanVintage – Leatehr Jacket by Raddar7, sweater by Reiss.