Actor Nathan Mitchell shot by Rebecca Eady
Over the past year actor Nathan Mitchell has captivated audiences around the globe with his performances in the romcom film “Twist of Fate,” the Lifetime biopic “The Real MVP: The Wanda Durant Story” and the heart-pumping drama “Newlywed and Dead.”
In addition to the recently released films, Mitchell also took on pivotal roles in episodes of several critically acclaimed series such as the six-time Leo Award winning series “Motive,” the action adventure drama “Timeless” starring Abigail Spencer (“Mad Men”) the Joey nominated crime dramedy “iZombie” and the miniseries “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl.” Needless to say, 2016 has been incredibly busy for the highly sought after actor who is clearly hot on everyone’s radar right now.
As quickly as the projects above began hitting screens, Mitchell was already deeply entrenched in the production of several new ones. He’s obviously not the type to sit around and bask in the glitz and glamour of his past work. In 2017 audiences can look forward to seeing him take to the screen in the lead roles of Zee in the sci-fi action film “Scorched Earth” from BAFTA Award nominated director Peter Howitt (“Laws of Attraction”) and Cole in James Nunn’s (“Eliminators”) “The Marine 5: Battleground.”
The Canadian-born actor’s Trinidadian-Jamaican heritage have endowed him with an exotic appeal that is nearly impossible to turn away from, it’s no wonder that Rachel, played by Karissa Tynes (“UnReal”), falls head over heels for him in “Twist of Fate.” While his inimitable talent is definitely the driving force behind his success, it doesn’t hurt that Nathan Mitchell is major stud as well.
Mitchell first made his way onto the scene nearly a decade ago when he landed the recurring role of Jeffrey on the family comedy series “Aliens in America.” While the series offered Mitchell the perfect venue to showcase his light-hearted and lovable side on prime time television, his work since has revealed him as an actor with astonishing depth. He knows precisely when to go deep, and when to hold back, and he always leaves us wanting more.
Anyone who looks at Mitchell’s collective body of work would be hard pressed to call him anything other than dynamic. Mitchell’s long list of recurring lead and guest star roles in an impressive range of hit television programs have proven his capacity for bringing characters to life within every possible genre.
From sci-fi series such as TNT’s Primetime Emmy nominated show “Falling Skies” and The CW’s People’s Choice Award nominated show “The Tomorrow People,” to action-packed crime series including the Golden Globe nominated show “Covert Affairs” and the nine-time Gemini Award winning show “Flashpoint,” as well as the hit drama “Cedar Cove,” Mitchell is one of the rare few in the industry who are impossible to typecast.
Over the years Mitchell has shared the screen with household names such as Golden Globe nominee Piper Perabo (“Looper,” “Covert Affairs”), three-time Golden Globe nominee Andie MacDowell (“Four Weddings and A Funeral,” “Sex, Lies and Videotape”), Gemini Award winner Stephen Amell (“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows,” “Legends of Tomorrow,” “Arrow”) , BAFTA Award winner Thandie Newton (“Westworld,” “ER,” “Rogue,” “Crash”), Screen Actors Guild Award winner Larenz Tate (“Ray,” “House of Lies,” “Rush”) and others.
Although the actor has gained worldwide attention for his work, for him, acting is not about fame, it is about peeling back the layers of the human psyche, discovering more about himself and finding out what makes people tick.
He says, “The more I truly explore my roles the more I become aware of different facets of myself. There’s a huge psychological component to it.”
To find out more about Nathan Mitchell make sure to check out our interview below. You can also find out more about his work through his IMDb: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1756121/ and see what he’s up to through his instagram: @itsnatemitchell
Where are you from?
NM: I come from Mississauga, Ontario. An amazing city just outside Toronto. One of the things that make it really special is how multicultural it is. It’s a got a cool downtown core and a lot of different suburbs.
When and how did you get into acting?
NM: My first lead role in a school play was the jumping off point. I was in 8th grade and they were casting for “Oliver Twist.” I heard some cute girls were going to be in it. So naturally, I decided to audition. It was a musical. Did I think I could sing? No. Did they cast me anyway? Yes. I played the role of Fagan, essentially the Pied Piper of bad guys. The British accent came surprisingly easily. I didn’t find true love. But it opened me up to how rewarding acting could be. Every time I was onstage it was just this constant joy. It’s been a part of my life from then on.
What was it about acting that made you realize this was the career for you?
NM: What’s appealing about acting for me is that it’s an art form that requires genuine connection with other people. You really have to listen; you really have to let yourself be affected by the other person to create something dynamic. When you’re that tuned into someone else you have this fun, meaningful experience. I also find that the more I truly explore my roles the more I become aware of different facets of myself. There’s a huge psychological component to it. You’re taking the script and deducing how one would act based on the circumstances. You’re always learning about human nature. It’s very fulfilling. Then there’s the script itself. You get to take someone else’s words and put your thoughts, your heart, and soul into them. Your art and their art combine to make something special. There’s something magic about that. When I realized that acting was all of these things, there was nothing else I wanted to do.
Once I was performing this monologue. I started stomping one foot on the floor. I looked down and suddenly the floor became the ocean. There was this beautiful coral reef beaming with life. Full of different colors, the sand was white, and there were fish swimming around. I wanted to immerse myself in that world. I wanted to go on an adventure in it. And then I realized that that ocean was myself. My inner world. And by exploring acting, I would explore myself. That was the moment I was in.
What was the first onscreen role of your career? What was it like playing the character?
NM: My first onscreen role was in a show called “Aliens in America.” It was a recurring guest star role. I taped my audition in Toronto and they flew me out to Vancouver to shoot it. I played Jeffrey, a jock who was a loveable combination of a puppy-dog and an asshole. I was the on-off boyfriend of Claire Tolchuk played by Lindsay Shaw. She wanted to be more popular so dumped me in hopes of upgrading. Like any Sophomore in love, I waited on her lawn and blasted ‘In Your Eyes’ till she came down and gave me a nice PG hug. A few episodes later I decided she was too clingy so I ended it in between classes. Nice and clean. She was crying but I was cool, so whatevs. Playing the character was a blast.
You’ve done quite a few television shows over the last few years, can you tell us about a few of them?
NM: In my episode of “Motive,” detectives were trying to solve the murder of Avery Bowman. I played Russell Bowman, her husband. There was a weight to this character because he is dealing with the most monumental loss of his life. We get to see some of the happy times they had as a couple. But then you’re dealing with the heaviness of going through such a deep loss. Russell’s role in the story was key, because he’s the loved one who is left behind. He’s the one who needs closure. He has to deal with losing the most important person in his life. Seeing how he handles that is just as interesting as solving the murder itself. Those two parts of the narrative keep you on your toes. Kristin Lehman, the lead of the show directed that episode. She was fantastic to work with. She knew exactly what she wanted and was so present as a scene partner. I felt supported through the whole process.
Still of Colton Hayes (left) and Nathan Mitchell (right) in “Arrow”
“Arrow” was an awesome show to be a part of as well. The whole team is great. I worked most with Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy, and J.R. Ramirez. I played Isaac Stanzler, the abandoned protégé of a vigilante named Wild Cat. I came out of the shadows to frame Wild Cat for giving up on me and leaving me in the hands of criminals. It was exhilarating getting to be a part of the DC Comics Universe and bring comic book lore to life. The relationship between Isaac and Wildcat was important because it was a huge parallel for Oliver and Roy. It was kind of a dark prophecy. It showed Oliver what Roy could become if he was abandoned. Isaac’s showdown with Roy was epic for a couple of reasons. The fighting sequences were off the chart. But one of my favorite shows is the animated series “Young Justice.” Roy Harper is also a character in that show and goes by the name of Arsenal. During our fight I got to call him Arsenal for the first time in the series. So I effectively named a super hero. I was nerding out inside. Especially since he was one of the coolest super heroes on one of my favorite shows.
Can you tell us about some of the film projects you’ve done?
NM: I had a blast shooting “Twist of Fate.” It’s a romantic comedy about two people who are scared to get back into the dating game. Both are heartbroken, and they find each other in the most unlikely of ways. I played Zack, owner of an up-and-coming coffee shop, and Jeff’s right hand man. I’m the one pushing him to get back out there. Zack fancies himself a Doctor Love. What he doesn’t expect is to fall for someone while he’s out on a mission for Jeff. During the film he goes from a chill dude with nothing to lose, to someone who actually has to put his heart on the line to get what he wants. Farhad, the director was really focused on the relationship between the characters. He gave us a lot of freedom to play within the scenes, we found a lot of comedy that way. I really enjoyed my dynamic with Ryan Kennedy and Karissa Tynes. “Twist of Fate” is one of the most lighthearted projects I’ve ever done. You watch it and it makes you feel warm inside.
Still of Nathan Mitchell as Zack in “Twist of Fate”
They are all very different, what made you choose to participate in these projects?
NM: In regards to “Arrow,” how are you gonna say no to being in the DC Comic Universe? It was an automatic yes.
In the case of “Motive,” I had worked on the show once before and the script was fantastic. So coming back was a no brainer. I feel really lucky to have guest starred in an episode Kristin was directing.
“Twist of Fate” sounded like a really light hearted and fun movie. Coming off “Motive,” I thought it would be a great change of pace, and it was.
You get approached all the time to work on projects with people, what makes you pick one role over another?
NM: It can be a different thing each time. Sometimes you really want to work with a director, sometimes it’s the script or the cast. Sometimes it’s all of those things. And sometimes you just get presented with too good of an opportunity to pass up.
Do you feel that you get cast to play a certain type of character more than others?
NM: No, I feel that there’s a healthy variety to my roles. I’ve been able to play a broad spectrum of characters and I’m really happy about that.
Out of all your productions, what has been your favorite project, or projects, so far and why?
NM: I can’t pick a favorite. They’re special for different reasons.
What is your favorite genre to work in as an actor?
NM: When I was younger I loved comedy. In TV and film, most of the focus is on drama where I come from. But as time has passed I’ve found myself really loving situations where I get to play the comedy. So I guess it would be both. Or the holy grail. The sweet middle between the two. Dramedy.
What separates you from other actors? What do you feel your strongest qualities are?
NM: I don’t like to compare myself to other people. I don’t think it’s necessary. But there are certain qualities that I try to practice and bring to my work consistently. I really value being spontaneous (within reason). I love to let impulse and intuition guide the discovery of my work. Being able to scrutinize my work in a healthy and honest way, so I can get better next time. And letting myself relax and have fun once I’ve done all my preparation. If I do stand out, I hope it’s for those things.
Have you been in any commercials or music videos?
NM: I’ve done a number of commercials. Some of my favorite have been MasterCard and Lexus. I also did a Chivas Regal commercial with Don Cheadle this summer. It was awesome. But that goes without saying.
What are your plans for the future?
NM: I want to keep developing my craft. Keep making art. Keep working on amazing roles. And spend more time at Venice Beach.
What do you hope to achieve in your career as an actor?
NM: I want to create a body of work that affects people on a visceral level. I want to tell stories that are artistic, entertaining and even challenging. I want to inspire people through my work. Ultimately I want to get to a place where people watch my performance and they feel it in their soul.