HUNGRY — featuring Harry Collett, Phia Saban and Jessica Madsen

ROBYN CARA

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

A director once told me, “It’s not about you, it’s about the other person”. And that’s something I try to keep in mind whenever I’m acting. And also — to mess it up and be bold… Fuck it, what’s the worst that can happen?

PHIA SABAN

What is storytelling in your eyes? 

When you get to see something that is surprising in its specificity, funny when it’s sad (and vice versa), is strange and complicated and true, it can actually make you fall in love with life (at least for the bus ride home from the cinema).

JAYDEN REVRI

What’s one role you would love to play? 

I really love the way Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix both represented the character of the joker and I admire their commitment to the roles they were given. I would love to push the boundaries of my brain and be able to take myself inside the mind of a character like that. I also have only ever played characters that I would consider quite similar to myself, so it would be great to play someone who’s completely different.

DAISY JELLEY

Which emotion do you find the hardest to tap into?

Anger is definitely the hardest to tap into because I wouldn’t say I get angry very often. If I’m ever angry I’m usually more upset and tearful. It’s fun to challenge myself with scenes where the characters are angry but it’s also cool to research how anger shows itself in different people and play with that in scenes.

KIELL SMITH-BYNOE

Tell us about the early days of your career… 

I remember my first day on set, Whitechapel for ITV. Everyone was saying these words, speaking in TV terminology and I had no idea what anyone was talking about. Why would I need sides? I literally just had breakfast. Then I didn’t do it again for ages, like years. Fast forward to doing it almost everyday for 18 months (2021-2023) with back to back projects. I think I’ve always kept the hunger I had on my first day of my first job, just that now I know they’re not talking about Mac and cheese when they ask if I want sides.

FOLA EVANS-AKINGBOLA

What’s one role you would love to play?

I would love to be any character in a Quentin Tarantino film. Only problem is that he’s only doing one more film, so I think I’m out of luck! His characters are always so dynamic.

ZAIN IQBAL

How would you describe the earliest days of your career and navigating your dreams of entering into the acting world?

The early days were tough, especially because there is not just one way into the industry. Everyone has their own path and journey. The lack of representation can make you feel like an outsider and question whether you belong in the industry. The constant rejection can also be difficult, but you learn this is a natural part of this line of work. What kept me going was constantly reminding myself of why I am doing this.

ANNA PROCHNIAK

What does storytelling mean to you?

For me, it’s all about the connection. When I tell a story I share my vulnerability and want people to connect to it and see themselves in some characters I play. I hope it helps them accept themselves more, feel seen and less alone. Telling stories is my love language, it’s an act of service!

HARRY COLLETT

How was your journey of becoming an actor?

I didn’t grow up wanting to be an actor specifically, but always knew I wanted to perform in some way. I first started dancing at the age of six and was spotted by an agent during a performance with my dance group at a local fair. At my first audition, I was going to leave when they called my name, that ended up being my first job – Billy Elliot the musical. It all snowballed from there and now I am in love with being an actor, I couldn’t ask for anything more.

JESSICA MADSEN

One performance from film or TV that you relate to the most? 

Therese in Carol. It was the first time I saw a connection between two very feminine women represented on screen. I love how nuanced Therese’s discovery is of her feelings for Carol, there is such a pure curiosity. It’s so subtly shown, almost shyly, through the dialogue but Rooney Mara’s performance is so powerfully internal.

This excerpt was taken from HUNGER Issue 31: The Dreamers. Full story is available in stores worldwide now.