N I C H O L A S P I N N O C K
Interview} John Russo
Photographs by} John Russo
Location} The Baccarat Hotel NYC
Produced by} Ken Waller for Photohouse Productions
Grooming} Gentlee Men’s studio
Styling} Cannon represented by the Cannon Media Group
JR: You are having such a wonderful career and have been part of many incredible projects. From “Django” to “The Book of Clarence” and now “This Town”. In looking back at your career which characters have stood out to you as being your personal best work?
NP: It’s hard to choose just one because what I’m drawn to are the complexities and dynamics of each character within the given piece. I fall in love with all of them. There are things about John Ellis in Django that I haven’t found in any other characters in the same way. Deuce Williams, from This Town, had very unique insights for me as a character, which I hadn’t played before. Obviously Jesus, from Book of Clarence, was the most iconic role I’ve ever played; to Aaron Wallace in For Life, where I played 5 different versions of him within one episode sometimes. Then there are characters on-stage, which have given me so much to explore over time, that it really is hard to just choose one.
JR: In the comedic biblical “Book of Clarence” you play the mysterious Jesus. How was it playing the ultimate role, the son of God?
NP: It was not only a pleasure, because working with Jeymes Samuel, and the entire team was to date, one of the most unique experiences I’ve had. But to be gifted such an iconic role in a film that I believe will go on to have a cult status, for me has been such a career highlight.
JR: In “This Town” you play Deuce, a father who is desperate to keep your son off of the streets of Birmingham. How did you prepare for this role? Have any experiences in your personal life help you resonate with this character?
NP: Deuce is an easy one as he reminds me of a lot of people from my Jamaican family. Accent wise, it came natural to me, because I grew up hearing that as a child and throughout my adulthood. Where I found a connection with Deuce was he was fighting alcoholism. Although I’m not an alcoholic, I fight mental health issues every day, and I found a link between those two states of mind that allowed me to understand where Deuce was coming from and how to access that aspect of him.
JR: The word on the street is that your show has an incredible soundtrack. There are great songs across the six episodes by Desmond Dekker, Bob Marley and Prince Buster to Blondie, Tubeway Army and Siouxsie and the Banshees. There’s even some Stiff Little Fingers, Tom Jones and Leonard Cohen on there. Historically great soundtracks have social immortality and create one more aspect to the project for fans. What impact does this soundtrack have on the show? Are you a fan of the music?
NP: I’m a big fan of the music. That’s the music I grew up hearing. I think music has a language and a universality of its own, so wherever you are from, if you understand that time of Birmingham or not, the music will allow you access to that world., the people, who they are and what they are going through. The music is not only enjoyable to listen to, but especially around that time, a lot of the songs used in the show are political and had a message that could transcend culture, age and nationality.
JR: It is obvious that people resonate with your roles you are playing. On our shoot, a man went out of is way to shake your hand. How does this feeling of adornment affect you? Does this motivate you to keep delivering epic performances?
NP: Yes, absolutely. The fact that I can connect with an audience through the performances that I deliver is my job done. Everybody likes a pat on the back from their boss, and I see the audience as who I’m doing this for. If they are happy, then it motivates me to keep going, stretch myself, grow, and strive to deliver performances that are worthy of their attention.
JR: You have filmed all over the world, are there any particular places that stand out to you as a place you could easily live?
NP: Iceland. I loved filming Fortitude there. it was amazing. You could turn around 360 degrees and at some point in that rotation you would see a waterfall. There aren’t that many people, which I quite liked, and it’s quiet and peaceful and surrounded by nature.
JR: If there is one thing you could change about the current entertainment industry what would it be?
NP: Hierarchy. I would dismantle the hierarchy on set. This notion that some people are more important than others and we should be treating everyone the same. We are all there collab for one common goal, which is to make whatever the audience sees on screen the best it can possibly be. From the people who supply and maintain the trailers to executives who make the decisions and put up the money. We are all doing our part to work towards the same goal and outcome. I’ve encountered a few times when background actors weren’t allowed to eat during lunch, until certain people had their lunch first, and it angered me. I told them to go eat and questioned why these things happened. After a long explanation, I still don’t think things like that are acceptable in the industry.
JR: If you could go back in time and have a meal with a famous actor who has passed, who would it be and why?
NP: I had a meal with a famous actor who has now passed and it was everything. Michael Gambon was an inspiration and having sat down with him several times and shared many conversations, there is nobody else I would choose.
JR: In 50 years when an acting class is studying your body of work ( and they will be) what is the one thing you would want them to know about you?
NP: That my aim in delivering every performance that I ever had was to move people’s emotions, challenge their way of thinking and at the same time, entertain them to a point where even if they hated my performance, it left a lasting impression on them.
To learn more about Nicholas follow him @nicholaspinnock