TOM TAYLOR — VESTAL

“Creating character playlists helps me get into the right headspace. I choose songs that resonate with the character to enhance my performance. ”— Tom Taylor

Photography LIZ VAN CAMPENHOUT Styling KYLE SCOTT LAWSON Interview VIOLETA NICOLA. Sweater FIORUCCI, shirt NANUSHKA, trousers PALOMA SUAREZ STUDIO.

Hailing from the picturesque county of Surrey, England, Tom Taylor’s passion for acting blossomed at a young age. Growing up in a lively household surrounded by four siblings, Tom's flair for performance was nurtured from an early age. It was during acting, singing, and dancing classes that his passion for acting ignited. The joy of learning and exploring the art form set him on a path that would lead to his first breakthrough at the age of 12. The Last Kingdom became a turning point for Tom for two reasons. First, donning Viking attire for his role made him fall deeply in love with acting on set. Second, the show’s director Nick Murphy saw his potential and helped him kick off his career by arranging interviews with several agents. Then, in 2017, Tom had his breakout role in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower. With a brooding intensity and captivating screen presence, he breathed life into the young protagonist, captivating audiences and earning praise for his raw talent.

Tom's dedication to his craft is evident in his diverse range of roles. With projects like The Bay, a crime drama that allowed him to delve into the gritty and authentic portrayal of real people, he continues to push his boundaries as an actor. Each new character presents a unique challenge, and Tom approaches each role with a tailored preparation process, diving deep into disparate characters' mindsets and emotions, like Ryan, the rough drug dealer in Path to Ecstasy, and Luther, the playful character of Love at First Sight. With his remarkable talent, dedication, and willingness to explore diverse roles, Tom Taylor is a rising star. As he continues to evolve professionally and personally, his commitment to growth, communication skills, and the pursuit of excellence will undoubtedly propel him to greater heights in the acting industry.

Shirt, jacket, and pants FIORUCCI, shoes GRENSON.

Violeta Nicola __ Reflecting on your journey in the acting industry, can you share the pivotal moment when you first realized your passion for pursuing acting? What sparked that realization and set you on this path?

Tom Taylor __ I grew up in a bustling household with four siblings, constantly engaged in playful performances for our parents. During my early years, when my mother enrolled us in acting, singing, and dancing classes on Saturdays, I discovered my passion for acting. Those classes became the catalyst for my love for the craft. At 12, I landed my first significant acting role in a production called The Last Kingdom. I was dressed as a Viking for the part. That's when I deeply fell in love with acting.

VN __ What was that like? To be 12 years old for the first time on a movie set?

TT__ I remember just being completely overwhelmed with everything; I couldn't believe what I was doing. I still now can't believe it sometimes when I'm walking onto a set. It is even more nerve-wracking when you are 12 years old. No one in my family was in the industry, so I didn’t know what to expect on a film set, but it was just so exciting.

VN __ With your current project, The Bay, what aspects of the project or story intrigued you and drew you in? What made you excited to be a part of it?

TT __ I'd never done a crime drama before, so that was really interesting for me. I wanted to be part of something like that for a while now. I really enjoyed the thriller genre. And I love the grittiness of The Bay. It's a real show about real people, and I love telling real people's stories.

VN __ We'd love to hear some behind-the-scenes stories or memorable moments from your time on the set of The Bay. Are there any anecdotes or experiences you'd like to share with us?

TT __ On set, I developed a close bond with Eloise, my on-set sister, and we formed a genuine friendship off-screen as well. We fell in love with Mor Bay, which is the place where The Bay was filmed. It's a really interesting city, and the coastline is stunning. Often after filming, we'd just walk on the beach and talk. I clearly remember how nice it was and how much fun we had on those walks.

VN __ Discovering that you got the role must have been an exciting moment. Could you describe how you found out? Did you receive a phone call or an email, or was it in person? We're curious about the emotions and reactions that followed.

TT __ My agent called me with the news, and there was an immediate rush of excitement. Getting a call from them usually means good news, as it is rare that they call with bad news. I can't recall the exact details of what I was doing then, but I won’t forget the feeling of joy from that phone call.

VN __ You have some exciting projects coming out soon, such as Path to Ecstasy and Love at First Sight. Is there anything you can disclose about any of them to the fans?

TT __ Well, I play two completely different characters in Path to Ecstasy and Love at First Sight. In Path to Ecstasy, I play a drug dealer, a really rough guy. I play a completely different character in Love at First Sight, where I worked with Haley Lu and Ben Hardy. I play Luther, a silly character who's the life and soul of the party. I really loved filming Love at First Sight. I worked with Dexter Fletcher, who is an incredible director. It was a fun experience to switch between these two extremes. There were a few months break between playing the two characters, which gave me time to adjust and prepare for each role.

VN __ When approaching a new role, what is your process for preparing? Do you have any specific techniques or rituals that you follow to delve into the character's mindset and bring them to life on screen?

TT __ Approaching each character is a unique process for me. There isn't a fixed method that I follow every time. It varies because different characters require different approaches. I find myself delving into deep and intense places for some roles, especially those with intense emotional journeys. A certain level of preparation is needed to portray the emotions and experiences of such characters. On the other hand, with more lighthearted and relatable characters who go through fewer hardships, the preparation is comparatively less demanding. I review the shooting schedule and analyze all the scenes, identifying the days that require more focus and attention.

These are the moments when I know I must set the right tone and ensure I am fully immersed in the character's world. When there's a big emotional scene, I set the right tone by immersing myself in the character's world. It may involve listening to character-specific music or engaging in rituals. Staying focused is crucial, especially during emotional scenes. I aim to be fully present and embody the character's emotions.

VN __ Do you make playlists for each character you play?

TT __ Creating character playlists helps me get into the right headspace. I choose songs that resonate with the character to enhance my performance. The playlists serve as a personal escape from the noise and distractions on set. I can focus and connect with the character's emotions by listening to the music. It keeps me grounded and prevents me from getting distracted by the noise around me. It's very easy to get distracted on film sets by the noise of life.

VN __Looking toward the future, is there a particular genre or type of character that you're eager to explore? Can you envision your dream role and share what it would look like?

TT __ I would love to play a character who is completely nuts, to be honest. It would be liberating to portray someone so detached and messed up. I feel like playing a psychopath; it would be oddly liberating to play someone who's totally unhinged, totally messed up.

VN __ Throughout your experiences in the acting industry, what are some of the most valuable life lessons you have learned? How have these lessons shaped you both personally and professionally?

TT __ The most valuable life lessons have been the communication skills I've learned on film sets and how to deal with people. You walk in there and can't help thinking, “Oh God, I hope I do this right.” But it is all about how you bounce off the director, the other actors, and the rest of the crew. And if you can't communicate well with them, get your ideas across, and listen to what everyone's saying, it's just a mess. It's like going into an office where people don't like each other. So I feel like communication skills and, getting your ideas across, being open to ideas from everyone, are life lessons I learned from acting.

VN __ As you continue to evolve in your career, are there any artists or fellow creatives you would love to collaborate with? Who inspires you and sparks your curiosity?

TT __ I have a deep admiration for Bob Odenkirk. Working with him would be a dream come true. His performances are captivating, and he embodies his characters with such authenticity. It's evident that he's always fully immersed in the role, constantly thinking and delivering his lines with precision. He's never stood there acting; he is his character. When it comes to collaborating with other creatives, I'm particularly interested in exploring independent projects. The pace can be relentless in the TV industry, leaving little room for experimentation. I'd love to work on independent films or projects with more flexibility and time for character exploration. However, independent projects often have budget constraints, so finding the perfect balance between time and resources can be challenging. Ultimately, what I desire is the freedom to delve into characters. In many cases, there's only one take to get it right, and by the time you realize other possibilities, the production is already moving forward. In the future, I hope to have more opportunities to explore characters and have the creative freedom to express myself fully.

VN __ As your platform grows and your influence expands, are there any causes or social issues that you deeply care about and wish to raise awareness for in the future? What impact do you hope to make beyond your acting career?

TT __ Growing up, my family faced numerous illnesses, and I personally experienced my own health challenges as a child, leading me to seek treatment at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Because of these experiences, I have a profound desire to raise awareness for charities that support individuals and families dealing with illnesses, including Crohn's disease, which both my dad and sister have. Living with an illness, whether it's your own or a loved one's, can be incredibly challenging. Providing the necessary support's not always easy and can be emotionally difficult. I believe it's crucial to shine a spotlight on these charities and the people who find themselves in these situations. No one should feel alone in their journey.

VN __ Reflecting on your journey as an actor, what are some of the most profound lessons you have learned about yourself and the art of acting? How have these insights influenced your approach to your craft?

Coat AGRO STUDIO, shoes GRENSON.
(left) Total look CONNOLLY.

TT __ The Last Kingdom played a significant role in my life as it introduced me to director Nick Murphy. Meeting him was a turning point for me because, as a young actor, I didn't have a clear direction. Nick recognized my potential and encouraged me, saying that I had the ability to pursue a career in acting. Not only did Nick believe in me, but he also arranged interviews with agents, leading to the opportunity to meet the agent I am currently working with. And the relationship I have with my agent now is phenomenal. I am grateful to Nick Murphy for his guidance and support.

VN __ When was the point where you were like, “I can seriously make a career out of this”?

TT __ The moment I did think: “Hang on a minute. This is getting a bit ridiculous,” is when I did The Dark Tower. I was the lead kid in it, and I was flying to Los Angeles and South Africa. I was like: “This is crazy. I'm just a random kid, and I'm in South Africa making a Hollywood film.” That was like the pinch-me moment, I guess. But I don't think I'm ever gonna have an I-made-it moment, but I have had several moments where I thought: “This is gonna be amazing. This is gonna be huge.”

VN __ Looking ahead, what personal goals have you set for yourself as an actor? Are there any specific areas of your craft you are eager to explore further and develop?

TT __ When I was 12, I had a big dream of winning an Oscar by the time I turned 21. That didn't happen. My perspective has evolved since then. Now, my focus is on collaborating with talented individuals and being part of remarkable productions. I aspire to take on transformative roles that allow me to showcase my range as an actor. One of my goals is to establish a reputation for being a skilled and versatile actor. I believe it's important to strive for improvement and growth in my craft continually. By setting this goal, I can keep pushing myself to become better with each project I undertake.

Photography Liz van Campenhout, Stylist Kyle Scott Lawson, Makeup Flo Lee, Stylist Assistant Marta Jimeno,Talent Tom Taylor (Public Eye Communications)