Thomas Levin – Alex Rider

By starrymag | June 4, 2020

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been working on?

A) Right after “Alex Rider” I went into production on a new Danish drama series by the Avaz Brothers which will be titled “ALFA” and is scheduled to open next year. I am currently shooting a new Irish/UK-drama series created by Kate O’Riordan for RTÉ and BBC Studios. We are – like everyone else – on hold right now, but hopefully we will begin shootings in a not so distant future.

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the series “Alex Rider.”

A) Basically, it’s a story about a teenager who is forced into working for a special branch of the MI6 and thereby becomes a spy. In my opinion, it’s a great coming-of-age story with very high-stakes. The premise is colorful, but there’s a constant sense of reality surrounding the story and there’s also a very honest depiction of ordinary teenage life combined with this brutal world of killers and secret-services that I find quite original and very appealing.

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) I had just signed with my UK agency and wanted to work more internationally and then this came up. I think it was my second casting after having signed with them. I read the first episode and thought it was absolutely terrific. And I fell in love with the character instantly. Add that to potentially being part of a big international production with some of the best people in the business. I just worked as hard as I could to get the part.  And, fortunately, I got it. I felt and still feel very blessed and privileged to play this character.

 

Q) How was your character Yassen Gregorovitch originally described to you?

A) A very capable, intelligent assassin with a complex background and a very complex relationship to the lead character. What’s not to like?

 

Q) Was there anything you may have added to this role that wasn’t in his initial breakdown? 

A) You always add something, but the material is so good. Guy Burt has written some great scripts and Andreas Prochanska – our conceptualizing director – is really, really good. So, it’s a collaboration. And then Anthony Horowitz had written a whole book in the Alex Rider series called Russian Roulette that basically tells the story of how Yassen became the man he is, when we meet him. A lot of my usual preparation was basically done for me by Anthony. It was so inspiring. If I have added something, I can’t really tell what that might specifically be.

 

Q) What kind of physical or stunt work went into preparing for your role?

A) I wanted to have a physical readiness that was completely relaxed at the same time. Like a big cat. A panther maybe. So, I decided to work with a boxing coach and a martial arts coach. Mainly to figure out posture and balance. I enjoy to work out myself and have always done a lot sports and I just kept on doing that. I didn’t want Yassen to be buff. Just ready and elegant. That’s deadly to me.

 

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working on this show?

A) I was actually a big fan of Stephen Dillanes work and had been paying attention to his work since I saw him in The Hours many years ago.  When I showed up for the first table-reading there was a lot of familiar faces from the screen. But I didn’t know anyone personally. Vicky McCLure, Andrew Buchnan, Ace Baathi, Liam Garrigan, etc. Top actors! And then Otto Farrant and Brenock O’Connor and the other wonderful young actors in the show. I didn’t know them, but what a joy! They just blew my mind. I am so impressed with their talent, their craft and their discipline. And they are very kind, funny and open. They are truly amazing and Otto, playing the lead, has shown such courage and really taken a lot on his shoulders. He’s the one carrying the show. He has wonderful combination of vulnerability, intelligence, charm, humor and good looks. I hold him very dear on a personal level as well and I think he will become a huge star when people see he’s work in this.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming “Alex Rider?”

A) I think my first day of shooting must stand out as the most memorable. I didn’t know what to expect and I showed up on this huge set and had to kill someone. A big intense scene at night in London in an abandoned warehouse. I pinched my arm, feeling like the luckiest man on earth and went to work.

 

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming?

A) I have my routines. I would go back to the hotel and work out in the gym. I like to do the jump-ropes. It’s meditative. Clears my mind. And then back to work and preparing for the next day. I like that. That sense of routine. That’s the privilege of being away from your “normal” life. You can dive into your fantasy world and devote your full attention to that.

 

Q) What do you think it is about “Alex Rider” that is going to make it a fast fan favorite series?

A) The combination of action and real emotions and real behavior.  It’s just a really good story and it is well told.

 

Q) You’re also a writer and director. Do you have any upcoming films you’ve got in the works that you plan to helm?

A) Not really at the moment. During the lockdown I’ve begun to write a bit again and something might come out of that. But, for now, it’s mainly the acting muscle that is fully up to speed.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of you and the work you do?

A) Thanks a lot. Without you it would be impossible to do what I love to do. It’s as simple as that. So, thank you very much.