Actor Freddy Carter started his career on stage having attended drama school before starring in the Netflix series Free Rein as Pin. Already working on the 2017 feature film Wonder Woman, Freddy will also be appearing as Ellis in the upcoming film Heretiks. In the midst of a busy rehearsal schedule for his role in a play due to premiere in March, we find out how he got into acting, what drew him to Free Rein and what he’s currently working on.
Is Free Rein your first regular role and what’s the experience been like so far?
Yes and it’s been amazing. It’s been nice to spend such a long time with a character. I feel like I know Pin inside out now.
You play Pin in the show, how would you describe the character?
He’s described in the show as a ‘Moody Horse Boy’ which pretty much sums him up. But I hope it’s also clear that he’s got a good heart and believes firmly in always doing the right thing. He just finds ‘people’ quite difficult.
When did you find out you’d got the role of Pin and how long after did you start filming?
I remember very clearly having just landed at Edinburgh Airport for the Fringe and getting a voicemail from my agent telling me to turn around and come back again! I started filming four days later.
Was there anything in particular that drew you to the role?
I loved Vicki and Anna’s sense of humour (the wonderful writers of Free Rein), but I also liked that Pin was an outsider with lots of unanswered questions about his past.
Do you have to be away from home while filming, and if so, what do you miss most?
Yes, we film in North Wales and, weirdly, I miss the tube and being able to easily get around. You have to order a taxi a few days in advance up there!
How long does it take to film one series and is it fun on set?
Around three and a half months. Very fun. Busy but very fun!
What’s it like working on a show where the majority of the cast are young?
It’s great, there’s a seemingly unending stream of energy and excitement!
How long were you on the set of Wonder Woman, and where did the filming take place?
Only a couple of days but it was brilliant. We filmed at the Warner Bros Studios in Leavesden. I’d never seen so many people working on a film set – hundreds of actors, supporting artists, crew, stunt people. It was great to be a part of.
Is there anything you can tell us about your upcoming film, Heretiks?
I’m not sure how much I can say, but I did see some clips recently and it’s looking great!
What was your first professional acting role?
I was in a trilogy of Shakespearean History plays directed by Sir Trevor Nunn. I think I played over twenty-five parts in the three plays!
How did you get into acting?
I never really wanted to do anything else. I debated over going to university to give myself a safety net but I knew I wouldn’t have been happy so I auditioned for drama school and very happily spent three years at The Oxford School of Drama.
Were there any actors you watched growing up who encouraged you to start an acting career?
My big brother – Tom Austen, and when I was fifteen I saw Mark Rylance on stage in Jerusalem by Jez Butterworth, that was hugely inspiring.
What would your dream role be?
I’d love to play a real person in a biopic.
What’s your favourite aspect of acting?
Working with different people all of the time. I love the excitement you get [or feel] when you first start working with someone new.
Do you have any advice you would give to young actors?
Don’t take anything too seriously. I’m guilty of it, it’s hard not to because you should care deeply about what you’re doing but try to enjoy it as well. Otherwise, what’s the point?
Do you have any roles coming up this year that you can tell us about?
I’m currently rehearsing for a play called Agnes Colander that’s going on at the Theatre Royal, Bath.
Freddy Carter is represented by David Lazenby at Vivienne Clore http://www.vivienneclore.com
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