Later this year, Hans Christopher will be appearing as John Baker in the upcoming drama thriller Dreamland as well as in short horror movie The Purple Iris. With his continuous acting career, Hans has also guest-starred in a couple of TV series, Waco and Midnight, Texas, both airing in 2018. Chatting with us, we find out about his upcoming productions, filming for a TV series and directing a short film.
Are you able to tell us anything about your character John Baker in the feature film Dreamland?
All I can say is it was thrilling to be able to dive into a project like Dreamland and to dive into a character like this. I had known about the Dust Bowl from a book I had read so when I learned about this project it was a dream come true.
Do you know if Dreamland will have a UK release?
I don’t know yet. It actually just got announced this week that it will be screening at Tribeca Film Festival which is pretty cool. I’ve never been so pretty excited to be a part of that.
What is short film The Purple Iris about and where will it be released?
I can’t say too much about it because it’s still in production but I can say it’s a pretty cool concept taking place in insane dystopian future. I play the character Ryker who’s a mercenary of sorts. It should be pretty cool. It should be making the festival circuit later in the year so look out for it.
You played Randy Weaver in Waco last year, what was it like being part of the show?
Waco was an absolute thrill to be a part of. Michael Shannon and Shea Whigham were so incredible to work with and learn from, and that story was just unbelievable. There was so much that I didn’t know about what took place. It was really heartbreaking what our government did during that standoff and the one in Ruby Ridge which my character, Randy Weaver, was a part of.
Did you watch your episode of Midnight, Texas?
I did! I had a blast and found out I can play a pretty scary ghost. Fun fact was I couldn’t see anything through those contacts so I was absolutely helpless walking around set while shooting. I had to have a guide lead me everywhere.
You’ve directed a short film previously; would you like to do any more?
My dream is to write, star, and direct in my own epic western so absolutely. I’m always listening and learning on the set so I wouldn’t doubt in time I make my way behind a camera. Maybe not for a few years though.
Is there anyone you would most like to co-star with?
I would have to say it would be a dream to work with Viggo Mortensen. I’ve heard such great things about him and have always been a huge fan of his work and his process. He puts so much into every role he plays and it shows. Definitely Viggo.
Have you done any acting work in the UK?
Not yet, but I would love to. The majority of my family lives in Sweden so I wouldn’t mind working over there at some point.
Was there anything that helped you decide on an acting career?
I think it was watching artists morph into such different and interesting variations of themselves. It always seemed so incredible and inspiring to me and, as I learned more about it, I realised what it was for me – it’s the journey – with every project you take on something so different, so apart from you. Then you go through this journey, discovering things you never knew, learning about new worlds and ways of life that you had never even thought of. Then you finish whatever it was you were working on and you realise that this thing that you thought was far away from you is now a part of you, and even more has always been a part of you.
Have you ever attended acting school?
I have. Because I didn’t get into acting until my twenties, I’ve always had this sense that I have to catch up, so I’ve taken many different classes and learned some amazing and not so amazing lessons. I think what’s more important, whether you get this from a class, or a teacher, or through experience, is finding those things that inspire you to keep growing, as an artist and as an individual.
Were you given any advice before you started your career?
Yes, actually. I was told if there was anything else I even remotely wanted to do other than acting I should do that. Haha, I guess I didn’t want to hear that at the time, but I definitely understand it.
What will 2019 bring for your career?
We have Dreamland premiering at Tribeca at the end of April which should be fun. I also have a few other projects, The Purple Iris and Progeny, which will be making their way to the film festival circuit later in the year. Currently, I’m shooting an indie feature that has been very exciting to be a part of. All I can say is it’s a role I definitely haven’t played before.
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