By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) Please tell us the premise for the series “The Institute.”
A) “The Institute” is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. It follows a group of gifted children who are kidnapped and held in a secret facility where they’re experimented on for their abilities. The series is part sci-fi and psychological thriller, and explores themes of power, control and resilience all through the eyes of these kids.
Q) How was your character, Tony, originally described to you?
A) My character, Tony, is an orderly at the Institute who assists Dr. Hendricks (Robert Joy) with the experiments. He was originally described to me as “a cheery talk-show host type, but with a dark undercurrent.” By the time we started shooting, that take had evolved a bit, but it remained a reference point we returned to throughout the season.
Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t in that initial breakdown?
A) Yeah, Tony didn’t initially have as intimidating a presence. I wanted Tony to get under the audience’s skin, to really irritate them. My goal was for viewers to feel a fraction of what the kids were feeling. If they ended up hating him even just a little, then I knew I was doing something right. I wanted to make sure there was always this underlying sense of danger and tension that contradicted that smile. I wanted the audience to feel that underlying threat in every scene.
Q) What was it about the series or the role that made you want to be a part of it?
A) Having the opportunity to play a villain has always been a goal of mine; it’s always my favorite character and I think it’s a really exciting challenge. It can be tough to pull off a good villain and that challenge really excited me. Plus, the chance to do it in a Stephen King story was something I could never pass up.
Q) Certainly, there are some standout actors as part of the show. Were you looking forward to sharing a scene with someone(s) in particular?
A) I got really lucky with an amazing cast. I was genuinely excited to work with everyone, but I especially enjoyed the opportunity to work with Robert Joy and Mary-Louise Parker. Watching them work firsthand was a real privilege; they’re incredibly talented and I learned a lot. I was also really hoping to get a scene with Ben Barnes. I’m a big fan of his work, but alas, we will have to wait a little bit longer for that scene.
Q) You’re obviously in great shape already. Did you have to switch up your workout routine in any way to prep for the stunt work involved?
A) I actually did, yeah. Early on, I was told they wanted Tony to feel physically imposing, big and menacing. So, I got to have some fun with that and really focused on lifting heavy and putting on some size. I worried a lot less about cardio, which was a nice change of pace.
Q) Every episode of “The Institute” is a must-watch, but is there a certain scene or episode you are proud of the work you put into?
A) Episode four was my personal favorite to shoot. I really loved the work I got to do in those testing scenes. I think we got pretty dark in that episode, which was a lot of fun to dive into, in that weird, twisted Stephen King kind of way. I also think that it’s a very impactful episode in the season and a tipping point in many ways.
Q) With such an intensity to the show, how did you shake off a long day of filming?
A) That’s a great question. Recently, I’ve gotten it down to a science. I order food as soon as I leave, so that it arrives at my apartment at roughly the same time that I do. I then take forever finding something to watch while my food gets cold, only to ignore the movie and get stuck doomscrolling for an hour and a half before I eventually snap out of it and start looking at the script for the next day. [laughs]
Q) You have a penchant for being a part of sci-fi and dramatic series. Is there something about these types of shows that draw you to them?
A) Absolutely! Since I was a kid, I’ve always gravitated toward sci-fi, fantasy and superhero stories. I wasn’t a very confident kid growing up and the heroes in those stories always inspired me. Those kinds of movies sparked my imagination and became my go-to whenever I needed comfort or escape. So, any time I get the chance to work in those genres now, it’s really special. It feels like I get to tap into that same childhood wonder, but from the other side of the screen.
Q) We loved seeing you on “The 100,” “Charmed” and “Vampire Academy.” What are some of your favorite projects that you have been a part of?
A) “The 100” is definitely one I look back on fondly. It was a real milestone and turning point in my career. The character had a great arc and it was such a fun role to step into. I learned a lot on that project, a lot of the process was still new to me, it really leveled me up as a professional and really motivated me to grow.
Q) What are the other recent projects that you have been busy working on?
A) I’ve been fortunate to stay busy. I’m currently shooting a new project that I’m really excited about, though I can’t share too much about it just yet. Lately, what I’ve really been enjoying is trying to develop a few of my own stories. It’s been a lot of fun building something from the ground up and exploring the kinds of characters and worlds I’d want to see on screen. It would be a really cool experience to actually bring one of these projects to life and shoot it.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?
A) Honestly, just thank you! I don’t take any of this for granted and I’m so grateful to everyone who’s supported me and the work I’ve been a part of; it means a lot. This career can be a rollercoaster, but I love it, and I love telling stories. I spent years just working away, trying to improve while also trying to convince the people closest to me that I could actually be successful in this industry. Now, I’ve had the privilege of working on some really cool shows that have been released around the world and to know that there are people out there who genuinely enjoy my work and are rooting for my success is such a rewarding feeling. I’m excited to keep growing and sharing more stories with you.