Jack B Anderson

At the age of 12 Jack B Anderson got the acting bug.  Fast forward to 2020 and the London born actor is tipped to be a household name.   A rising star in both theatre and film he has worked with acclaimed director Ron Howard and  has starred in several BBC productions, including his best known role as the teen wolf Matei, in the critically acclaimed and award-winning fantasy drama 'Wolfblood'.  Here’s what he had to say when Blowout caught up with him.  

When was the moment you realised you wanted to be an actor?

I was about 12 years old, when i started secondary school i just had the buzz for it and from then tried to be in every production i could haha. 

What would be your ideal role?

One that allows the best journey, the best new experience and a role that takes me to a place I have never been. 

What actor do you admire most?

Dicaprio has been a role model for me for many years, still is. but there are a bunch of actors who over the years have become just as inspiring. Brad Pitt in inglorious bastards and since i've just admired those choices and Christophe waltz, what a man. 

You’ve done both Stage and film, what do you prefer?

They are different beasts and when doing either, I'm happy, just love performing and put it together. I actually just had my directorial debut with my play Syndrome, being back at the theatre putting on a live show has been a magical experience but acting wise, if i had to choose, I'd say say film, TV as every day/scene is different, and i can get bored easily if its not challenging or new to explore. 

What are the different challenges that they bring?

With film and Tv you could be asked to jump in at any point of the story to get it filmed, you always have to be emotionally available.... Its not as straight forward as with a play where you perform it from beginning to end allowing the emotions and feelings of the characters to brew and build up, that in itself can be a challenge, doing the same thing again and again for long period of time. 

What are some of the greatest challenges that being an actor bring?

I feel bearing your soul, your truth with no shame or embarrassment to who you are, in turn allowing yourself to bring the best and truth to the character your playing. That's a great challenge for anyone, especially actors, they do it for so many and enough to convince them. 

You starred in the period drama, ‘Genius: Picasso’ which was Produced by Ron Howard, what was that like? 

To be on a show where people like Ron are so heavily involved in creating it, to see what they have done and brought together, turning up to see the set they have built and the world they have created has been a true inspiration to me, that taste for quality and detail. I've wanted to bring to my directorial stage play Syndrome and the reviews have made me feel i've achieved that. 

What would you like to be doing in 5 years time?

More creating, more travelling, and more new stuff :)

And what’s next for you?

I'm going to finish up the play Syndrome at the end of February, and then work starts on the Documentary surrounding the Play and it's topic to explore to the true understandings of what happened in the plays narrative. That's a side project for my Production company but I'll be turning myself back to some new acting roles soon :) 

When you think back to all your hopes and aspirations to become an actor, how does the reality compare to the dream?

You can create your own reality, that represents your dreams. And what i thought of acting as a kid, only over time and hard work have those dreams come true and the feeling i get when i do what i love, when I'm doing my dream for real. There is no comparison. Feel complete. 

But to keep that, we just have to keep striving and working and fighting for our dreams. It's the only way they materialise. 

Jack directs the play Syndrome which runs until the 29th February - https://www.actorscentre.co.uk/theatre/syndrome 

Jack is wearing suits by Joshua Kane @joshuakanebespoke

Words Kylie Olsson

Photos Erica Bergsmeds

Suits by Joshua Kane

Make up Ninni Marklund Mighty using Delilah