Tommy Rodger is an English actor and singer born in South West London and best known for his portrayal of Timmy in the 'The Cursed'. This year he will appear as Jordie Rietveld in Netflix's 'Shadow and Bone' and will also portray Domenick in Catherine Hardwicke's 'Mafia Mamma'.
Hello Tommy! Tell us please what was the starting point for your career?
— Acting began for me at a very early age. My family are a collection of creatives in their own different ways, whether that’s through music, dance, writing or acting, and that part of myself and my two older sisters was most definitely nurtured and developed by my parents. Self-expression and the enjoyment of ‘playing’ through art has been a constant in my life.
At the age of 9, the head of the theatre school I had been attending suggested I audition for the role of Gavroche in Les Miserables on the West End. I had never done an audition before, but I decided to give it a try. The audition day began with me lining up alongside a vast number of other boys all singing the same song we had all prepared, one by one, and by the end of that day, after quite a brutal process for some of the guys, I had booked my first professional job. It was pretty insane and actually I was really quite lucky, looking back. The right place, the right role, the right time.
This then created somewhat of a domino effect, leading to a theatre career from the age of 9 - 15 years old, developing into a theatre, film and TV career from then up until the beginning of COVID, and that’s when everything came to a holt. I had just turned 18 and my years of being at school were over. I had now reached a point in my life where I had to make a crucial decision. Did I really want to be an actor? It was important that I asked this question because up until this moment acting was something that I just did without really thinking too much about it. Those around me seemed to think was alright at it, it was fun to be a kid with an actual job and I got to work with a bunch of cool people, but I don’t think I had truly asked myself whether I acted because I genuinely loved acting, and after some thought I found that the answer was YES! I am passionate about the craft itself.
Now, after a few more years of delving into this craft of acting and dedicating almost all of my time to it, I think I have finally figured out why I do what I do - why it matters to me. I believe that to live the story of your life as YOU, truthfully and passionately, is the greatest action one could ever choose to partake in, and the vulnerability of the storytelling involved in acting and filmmaking and theatre seems to, in my opinion, communicate that message every time. This is what I hope everyone takes away from the work I do.
Are you currently in the theater or are you focusing on starring in movies?
— At the moment, film and TV has seemed to be a focus for me, but not for any particular reason. The opportunities that are out there for me right now seem to lie in that area, but I don’t have a preference and would love to find myself back in theatre again. I definitely miss the community aspect of rehearsing and performing a play with a group of actors that become your family for a short time. Also, theatre allows you to live the life of your character from start to finish in one evening, but it’s unheard of to shoot a whole film in one take. Screen acting, however, allows for very intimate and authentic moments with another actor that you wouldn’t be able to achieve on stage, due to the size of the audience. I don’t think you have to choose between them - both are important in their own right.
What is your favorite role which you have played?
— My favourite production that I have been privileged to be a part of was an adaption of Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ at the Barbican Theatre in London, where I played the role of Jem Finch. Timothy Sheader, our director, and Robert Sean Leonard’s portrayal of Atticus Finch had a significant impact on my 14 year old self, challenging me and giving me an insight into what makes a great performance.
You are a singer and a songwriter, right? Tell us a little more about that. What is your musical genre? Where do you get your inspiration for writing songs from?
— Music is arguably just as important to me as acting. My desire to sing and be a musician comes from my mother, who began gigging with her acoustic guitar from the age of 13 and has passed her joy for funk, soul, folk and country music down to me. However, the idea of songwriting, although it appealed to me, never actualised until more recently because I never felt like I had anything to really say. Over the past few years, the people that have entered my life and the events that have been brought with them, have inspired me to put words to page and now I have a collection of songs that I enjoy sharing to anyone who would like to listen.
Do you listen your own music in your daily life?
— No I don’t tend to listen to my own songs, just the one I’m working on at the time. However, there are moments where I look back over what I’ve written.
Your filmography includes such popular projects as «The Cursed», «The Alienist», «Goodbye Christopher Robin», «Victoria», and «I'll Find You». Which one is the most memorable project for you?
— My most memorable project on screen would have to be ‘The Cursed’. I will never forget this particular scene where ‘Timmy’, my character, has a very intimate conversation about a truly terrifying experience that has left him traumatised. The energy that is felt in a room during scenes of that magnitude is electric, especially in the silent moments and, despite that day completely tiring me out, I had a strong desire to get back to material of that kind as soon as possible when reflecting the next morning.
We will see you soon in the second season of «Shadow and Bone». Are you excited to be a part of this fantastic story? Can you share your impressions with us about the filming?
— It was such a privilege to be part of Shadow and Bone! My first day filming was particularly enjoyable for me, as I felt it was the first time, as an actor, that I could display a more playful side to myself through character. Regarding what you should all expect, all I can really say is, in the terms of my part to play in Season 2, be prepared for an exploration of ambition, responsibility, love, loss, deceit, truth and fear.
In which projects will we see you in the future and can you tell us about them?
— The only future project I can mention at the moment is ‘Mafia Mamma’, directed by Catherine Hardwicke and starring Toni Collette. This is the first comedic film I have been a part of and it tells the story of a suburban mother who unexpectedly inherits her grandfather's Mafia empire. The new genre of filmmaking I experienced created an atmosphere of fun and laughter that I found incredibly refreshing.
If you can play any existing character, which one would you like to choose and why?
— The existing character I would love to play is Edmund from the play A Long Day’s Journey into Night. Although, the character is very different to me in some ways, I relate to his perspective on the world and the poetry of his words is quite beautiful.
We’ve noticed that every your post on instagram starts with the words “I guess”. Can you tell us a story about why you post that way?
— Oh there’s no real reason. I never know what to caption my posts with and I guess I just like phrases like ‘perhaps’ or ‘I guess’ or ‘seems to be’.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any other hobbies?
— Apart from music and acting, I definitely have an interest in fashion, particularly 1930s Oxford Bags and wide-collared 70s shirts. Creating a sense of uniqueness that feels true to yourself through clothing has always been something I have gravitated towards. My time outside of film, TV and theatre is spent teaching acting in a local secondary school and also directing the students there, while also spending a great deal of time with those close to me in my life. I am definitely someone who needs to be in the company of others.
Your favorite movie?
— Shutter Island.
Favorite TV series?
— Right now it’s Andor on Disney+.
Favorite book?
— The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Your favorite quote?
— ‘It was great mistake me being born a man, I would have been much more successful as a seagull or a fish.’ - A Long Day’s Journey into Night by Eugene O’Neill.
