There’s a moment in Urchin, the new film starring Frank Dillane and directed by Harris Dickinson, when his character breaks out dancing, out of nowhere. It should be a liberating moment: Dillane’s character, who has spent his life bouncing between prison and life on the street, is seven months sober and beginning a new chapter of his life with a job, a new girlfriend, and a subsidized room in a hostel to call home. Then, he’s offered some ketamine and he takes things too far.
Dillane’s exuberant, off-kilter performance won him Best Actor in the Un Certain Regard category at Cannes this year. It’s a big step up for the shy British actor whose prior claims to fame were supporting turns in Fear the Walking Dead and the Wachowski sisters’ queer, sci-fi epic for Netflix, Sense8. After Urchin, he’ll appear in the upcoming silver screen adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility alongside Daisy Edgar-Jones—a sure sign that his Cannes bona fides are soon to pile up.
How did Harris Dickinson find you?
I auditioned for him. Shaheen Baig is an amazing casting director and has been really supportive of me. Harris sent over the script, but in the auditions, we also worked together on some improvisations. In one of my interviews, I was doing a lot of tai chi and breathing exercises, which he mentioned was part of why he chose me. I think he was looking for someone to take the thing and throw it on its head a bit, or at least give him something to work with. I always empathize with my characters. I take them very seriously. I don’t judge them. The subject matter of Urchin can be perceived in a certain way, so I tried to give it all my heart, empathy, and dignity to make it feel real.
What was it like to work with someone who was in the director’s chair for the first time?
Harris was very clear about the story he had written. He had a strong vision of the characters, the themes. It was intimidating at first. He is an amazing actor, he’s younger than me, he’s better looking than me… I’m joking. But those were the initial things I had to overcome.
I asked him early on, “Why aren’t you playing the damn part?” But he said he liked what I was doing. He didn’t want to act in Urchin; he wanted me to do it instead. He wanted to direct. Once I had settled into myself, it was a great joy to work with him because he’s so brilliant. He held space for me. He had a clear vision of what he wanted to create, and he was not daunted by the subject matter.
As a director, his notes were all really practical, which is helpful to me as an actor. He’d say, “That’s too basic,” or, “I’ve seen that, let’s try something else,” rather than just tiptoeing around the point. We could be really upfront with each other. He’d be really honest when something was working, too. It just felt fluid, playful, and joyful. I wanted him to have a good experience, too. I didn’t want to bring him too much crap. I made sure to have my ducks in a row.
I think some people can get insecure. What do you think? Do you like this? Do you like me? We as actors are quite sensitive, of course, and we can lean on directors, I suppose. I wasn’t trying to do that.
You have a dance moment in the film that felt very Harris. Can you tell us a little about that scene?
It’s a bit of a dark moment. Mike has a very particular kind of physicality. I would bop along like this, and Harris really liked that. He would come over and make some suggestions and dance with me too. He definitely is a physical actor, and he encouraged that in me when I was embodying the character, too.
What is the first thing you do when you get on set?
Smoke a cigarette, say hello to everyone, and then, funny enough, I often dance. One of the first things you have to get over is humiliation or any awkwardness. As an actor, you’re gonna be doing silly stuff in front of these people, so I like to get into my body a bit.
What’s your favorite way to start your day?
Smoking a cigarette.
Favorite way to start a sentence?
“Um.”
How do you start an outfit?
I only have a few pairs of trousers, so it all depends on which trousers I’m wearing. Sometimes, having constraints makes you more creative.
Who would you start a band with?
I actually have lots of bands. I have a solo album that I’ve finished that I need to put out. Then I have a band called Mummy’s Boy. We’ve nearly finished with another album. Then I play in a band called Pregoblin with Alex Sebly, and I’ve got Tinker Wright too.
What’s your signature way of kick-starting a party?
I’m more of a chatting on the sofa kind of guy.
When’s the last time you started a fight?
I don’t start fights.
What’s the last series you’ve binged from start to the next?
I don’t really watch much TV. Clearly, I’m spending too much time playing in bands.
Frank Dillane’s Starter Pack
- A pack of cigarettes — My favorite way to start the day.
- A sweater vest — I just like them.
- My hair – when I do a photoshoot, everyone’s got a lot of opinions about my hair.
- Black trousers — I only have a few pairs of trousers. Sometimes, having constraints makes you more creative.
- A good coat — I don’t know, no reason.
in your life?
