Among the dozens of rising actors in Hollywood today Ashley Zukerman stands out in the roles he has landed and for the attention he has received. The actor’s latest work includes the Peacock series “Dan Brown’s The Lost Symbol” in which Ashley plays the lead character, professor Robert Langdon. You’ve also seen him in the hugely successful Fear Street trilogy on Netflix and in Succession where he potrays Nate Sofrelli, Shiv’s on-again/off-again lover. We caught up with Ashley in New York to chat about his work, life aspiration and dreams.
Giulia: How do you stay in character and how do you shift between the roles?
Ashley: It’s different for every job. Some require more immersion than others. The material dictates that, also the conditions of the work. But it’s always about finding the differences between me and the character – and research.
Giulia: The Lost Symbol is a 2009 novel written by American writer Dan Brown and you play the professor Robert Langdon who studies symbols. How about yourself , are you a believer in symbols or signs?
Ashley: Symbols are just place holders for ideas. I don’t think you can believe in them. They just exist. If by signs you mean ‘am I a believer in omens?’ do I think ‘all things are connected and have meaning outside of that which can be explained’? I don’t know. I think my very pragmatic and logical approach to life has softened in recent years. Especially during The Lost Symbol.
Giulia: How does it feel to play the young version of Robert Langdon in The Lost Symbol portrayed by Tom Hanks in the Da Vinci Code? Did he give you any tips?
Ashley: It’s a nice feeling to play someone that so many people already have a connection to. It’s an honor to have been chosen. And I enjoyed the fact that he’s a younger version of the character. So, although still connected to everything that’s come before he’s less formed, less complete, more rough around the edges – I could push him to be more closed minded, more arrogant. [More at Source]
