VIEWTIES SPRING 22: RUPERT YOUNG COVER

MAY 22

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THE TEAM Publisher | Editor-in-chief | Producer | Designer | Writer

Vanesa Miraglia

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CONTENTS NO. 106 - SPRING 2022

FEATURES

ON THE COVER RUPERT YOUNG

BY MARK CANT FOR VIEWTIES

Rupert Young.

Editor's letter Welcome to the Spring issue! This season is all about renovation and that's why you'll see a slight change in our issues. Nothing very drastic really, we've just been a little bit more creative and fresh for you to go on enjoying the features we've organized and selected for your entertainment. We want you to connect with your favourite artists finding the beauty behind the lens, hoping that you enjoy the experience as you read the pages of our magazine. Viewties is written for the fans, the talent and the art lovers who loyally read us every issue. Remember this is a fast read digital publication to celebrate art and value the talent, to know the other side of the story. One artist at the time.

Don't miss any of our issues, as Viewties goes on bringing you the latest on film and television introducing artists whose passion is to make you feel something with their work and dedication that bringing a project / character to life requiere. As I always say, If I can take something from my job, I strongly believe you will take something from it too. Enjoy the ride and prepare your heart for being touched by our content.

Happy month!

Founding editor-in-chief @vanmiraglia

R up ert

Young.

We're very honoured to sit down with the fantastic Rupert Young to talk about his brilliant performance as Jack, the handsome but mysterious addition to the Featherington family in the phenomenally successful Netflix period drama, Bridgerton.

The fact that this character isn’t in the novels gave Rupert the freedom to create to surprise the audience. The art of bringing this character to life is shown so beautifully on screen. He was well guided, but he was also fully connected to the role to the point of understanding him completely.

Focusing on the experience of joining a juggernaut Netflix show like this one, Rupert and I discuss his feelings on season two and his way to the role, as well as his career to date, season 3 and his next step on stage as Larry Murphy in the smash hit musical Dear Evan Hansen.

Photography.. Mark Cant Styling. Ellie Witt - Hair and make-up. Maria Comparetto Words.. Vanesa Miraglia

V: To begin with, I would like to know a little bit more about your story on how you've become the talented actor you are today. Could you please tell us what was your introduction to acting and how did you make this a possible profession to chase?

RUPERT: I was brought up in London and was lucky enough to be taken to the theatre in the West End regularly from a very young age. Me and my siblings put on loads of plays for my poor parents at home and then as soon as I was able to, I performed in plays at school. I always saw acting as a hobby until I was directed in the musical Guys and Dolls by an incredible teacher Paul Clarke who told me I should go to drama school and become an actor. I applied to and got into LAMDA where I spent 3 years and got an agent before I left and started auditioning and got my first role in an ITV drama Island at War. I then continued on the rollercoaster that is the acting profession. I have been lucky enough to get pretty much steady employment since then.

V: Now that we are remembering your beginnings, I would like to ask if you feel that your acting style has been shaping over the years, or if you even noticed that something has changed along the journey. How would you describe your maturity as an actor after all this time performing?

RUPERT: That is a hard question. I still feel like a beginner even though I’ve been acting for nearly 20 years. What never goes away is the first day nerves and trying to not hold yourself back especially when you start a new job with new people. I think experience is a wonderful thing and I’ve been fortunate to work with some incredible people who I have learned from just by watching and talking to them. What I love about this industry is how you get to learn from so many. You become friends with people of all ages and walks of life and you get to play and learn from all of them. I have definitely tried to not worry so ...

much about what others think as much as I used to. What I’ve learned through years of doing it is that almost everyone in the room is nervous and think they aren’t good enough especially the good ones. The more work you do at home the more confident you feel when you arrive on set.

V: Along your career you have played characters in very interesting productions, one of my favourites are Marcus in The Secret Garden, Sir Leon in Merlin and now you have joined the cast in one of the most popular Netflix’s series, Bridgerton. What was your reaction when your agent called saying that you’ve got the part in the show? Did you feel any kind of pressure?

RUPERT: When my agents called to tell me I got a recall I was so surprised as I had sent my audition tape in 4 months earlier (before season one had been released) and I had assumed they weren’t interested. So getting recalled was amazing but it added more pressure as I was now auditioning for one of the biggest shows on TV. When of both my amazing agents called me to tell me I had actually got the part I was just in shock and completely overjoyed, I just couldn’t believe it. A couple of days later I was doing a read through over Zoom and saw the cast and producers which was terrifying and tried to remember how to speak! I was so lucky my first day on set was a rehearsal day so I got to meet the entire cast who are truly the loveliest group of people and made me feel so welcome before I actually had to be on camera. It was also so lovely to be around people again having been stuck inside during lockdown for so long. I still spent the first couple of weeks waiting for the producers to tell me they had made a mistake and they were going to recast! Luckily that didn’t happen and I was able to have the most wonderful time.

V: This is a character that is not in the novels. So, I was wondering, how did you research the role and approach it?

RUPERT: He isn’t in the novels so it was great to be able to play a character that none of the readers of the novels knew and had their preconceived ideas of. When I met Chris Van Dusen, the fantastic creator and writer of the show, he told me that Jack is a charming and seemingly perfect guy but that he isn’t all he seems as we’ll discover later in the season. I read up about the period and what was happening at the time in London but most of the work came very naturally once I put on the incredible costumes designed by Sophie Canale and had my make-up and hair done by Lara Prentice and then stepped on to the incredible sets. We were also lucky to have the fantastic dialect coach Jane Karen on set to make sure we were always saying things correctly.

V: You said that some of your character’s characteristics are quite similar to your own. Does this mean that you were given more freedom to add your own spin onto the character?

RUPERT: When I first auditioned for the role I instantly felt I understood the character. I felt that I knew what tone I wanted him to have and to play up the niceness and humour of him. I knew that he was not deep down the most honest of men but I wanted to steer away from that so that audiences like him and then when they discover he’s dodgy, it’s more of a shock. There was definitely a freedom to bring my own spin to the character whilst always being guided so beautifully by our directors and writers to make sure we were staying on the right path.

V: What was the most challenging scene to shoot for you and why?

RUPERT: There were a couple of scenes I had with Polly where the relationship between Jack and Portia was developing that was hard to get right. Trying to navigate the shift in their relationship and keeping it truthful was hard, however after rehearsing with the incredible Polly Walker who was a joy to work with and being guided by the fantastic director Tom Verica they ended up being some of my favourite scenes to do and the ones I’m most proud of.

V: What did you do on set between takes? Are you the kind of actor who stays in character, plays pranks or just chill?

RUPERT: Usually I’m either chatting and being silly with the odd prank thrown in or I’m sleeping in my trailer. I love talking to people when I’m not on set. I hate going into my trailer and being on my own as I tend to overthink a scene coming up and I get into my head. I’ll usually have a little power nap after lunch.

V: Do you get used to being recognized on the street by fans and the love you get over social media? How do you deal with popularity? What keeps you down to earth?

RUPERT: It’s really nice when people recognise you and want to talk to you about my work. I remember as a child being so excited meeting actors and being able to do the same for others is an honour. You never get used to it but it’s so nice to hear feedback from people. It’s nice to hear from people on social media and it’s crazy to see the reach of shows I’ve done, especially ...

Bridgerton. It’s still hard to comprehend just how many people have seen it around the world.

I feel pretty grounded but being with my family and friends is a great way to be kept in check!

They are always going to make sure I don’t get carried away or big headed.

E x p e r i e n c e i s a .. . w o n d e r f u l th i n g

V: How has the show helped you grow artistically as an actor?

RUPERT: During lockdown it was hard to imagine ever being on a set again and I started questioning whether I would be able to do it again. What I learned on Bridgerton was to try and simplify what I do and not to overthink or over plan what I’m going to do. I worked very hard on the script at home, learning the lines inside and out so when I got to set I could be as relaxed and open to what was in front of me. It also helped that I got to work with phenomenal actors. It was such a gift to work on the series for 8 months and to be able to really get lots of opportunities to work on scenes.

V: What’s next for you, Rupert? Is there anything in the pipeline that you can talk about?

RUPERT: I am currently back on stage in London in the musical Dear Evan Hansen which I was in before the pandemic shut us down. Then after that I don’t know yet.

V: What are you looking forward to in season 3? How would you like your character to evolve?

V: This last question is a little bit personal to me, as my nationality is Argentinian, I like to ask the people I interview what they know about the country, their art and culture. This way we mix both cultures and somehow feel we are unified by the arts. So, have you ever seen or experienced any type of art / culture from Argentina?

RUPERT: I am very excited to see what’s in store. I don’t know which Bridgerton is going to be the next focus yet but whoever it is I can’t wait to see their story unfold. I don’t know yet whether I’ll be returning but I would love for him to go back to America and somehow come into money whether that’s by actually finding a lucrative mine or just marrying a wealthy American then to come back to the Ton and pay the investors their money back and become a part of civilised society again.

RUPERT: I’ve always wanted to go to Argentina. It’s definitely high on my list of places I would love to visit. Being asked this question has made me realised how badly I know the art and culture of Argentina. I saw The Secret in Their Eyes which I loved. I’m now going to watch as many Argentinian movies as possible so next time we chat I will be better prepared.

If you have any recommendations they would be warmly received. We also did Argentine Tango classes at drama school if that counts!!

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