If persistence had a poster child, it might be Nicholas Duvernay. Before his recent success, he toiled at the kind of gigs well-known to any aspiring actor in LA—doing, as he puts it, “whatever kept the dream alive.” That determination paid off. His breakout came in the form of 2022’s romantic musical Purple Hearts, a performance that opened the door to his role in the third season of The White Lotus.
Hollywood’s newest male ingenue is less preoccupied with mystique than momentum. His latest, a high-profile adaptation of Reminders of Him by romance novel juggernaut Colleen Hoover—alongside another rising star, Tyriq Withers—Duvernay is navigating how to deepen and refine his craft amid the cacophony of our nonstop digital age.
What is the best advice you’ve received about performing?
This is a tough one, because as an actor, you receive so much great advice. One of my teachers recently told me, “You prepare for what you expect.” That really stuck with me. It applies to scenes the same way it applies to real life. When you’re talking to someone, you’re usually expecting or hoping for a certain response. Leaning into that expectation grounds a scene in truth, because as humans, we’re always expecting something.
What is the biggest challenge an actor faces today?
Everything moves incredibly fast. You might spend four or five months filming a project, wait a year for it to come out, and then it lives in the cultural conversation for maybe a month or two because there’s so much content being released. The market is oversaturated. On top of that, over the last several years, between Covid, strikes, fires, and other disruptions, there’s always been something slowing the industry down and making it harder to maintain momentum and consistent work.
Tell us about the character or role that inspired you to become an actor.
I don’t know if there was one specific character. Growing up, my dad would constantly channel-surf. This was before streaming, and he’d just stop on whatever movie was already playing. One morning, it was a Western. I don’t remember who was in it, but I remember a man on horseback chasing a train. At the time, I didn’t even know acting was a job, but I was completely captivated by the story and by the character’s relentless pursuit. That feeling stuck with me.
What is most thrilling about your upcoming project? What new skills did this character force you to develop?
My next project is Reminders of Him, and what excites me most is the story itself. It’s heartbreaking and deeply captivating. It wrecks you, but in a beautiful way. I just saw it for the first time last week, and there genuinely wasn’t a dry eye in the theater. I also had the chance to act alongside one of my best friends, Tyriq Withers. We went from living together to working together, which is a gift not many actor friends get to experience, especially on this level. It was joyful to play and bring some of the off-screen chemistry to the big screen.
On my last project, Not Suitable for Work, I did my first true comedy, which taught me a lot about comedic pacing and preparedness. You simply can’t be funny if you don’t know your lines. With how fast everything moves, if your moments aren’t dialed in, your performance will be flat. I probably prepared more for that show than anything else I’ve ever done.
When did you last get star-struck?
I was invited to the Academy Gala, which was my first Academy event. Everyone you could imagine was there, but Viola Davis completely stopped me in my tracks. I kept glancing in her direction all night. I actually had friends at her table, so I ended up standing right next to her, but she was presenting that evening and clearly focused, going over her lines. There was never a good moment to interrupt her process. I’ll admit, I was kicking myself afterward for not finding a way to say something, but I trust I’ll get another chance.
What’s the most challenging scene you’ve ever shot?
The opening scene of the third season of The White Lotus was definitely the most challenging, but also the most fun. Emotionally and physically, it was intense going from a place of calm and meditation to full fight-or-flight mode—running from gunshots, through swampy, murky water—and then shifting from survival to prayer. There were so many layers to that scene, especially knowing it had to kick off the entire season and foreshadow what was to come. Everything had to land. To this day, it’s my favorite scene that I’ve ever done.
What’s the first movie you remember watching?
The first Transformers. I was 7 years old, and it completely blew my mind. It’s hard to beat being 7 and getting introduced to Megan Fox, giant robots, explosions, and fast cars all at once. It’s a kid’s dream. Honestly, I still think it’s a movie I can turn on anytime and enjoy.
Which star, dead or alive, would you want to run lines with?
Samuel L. Jackson. He’s one of my all-time favorite actors and someone I never get tired of watching. I’m always amazed by how loose and wild he can be, while also delivering performances that are incredibly still and controlled. I’d love to pick his brain and learn how he approaches character.
What was on your playlist during your last project?
It was completely unrelated to my character, but I listened to a lot of Mk.gee, Dijon, and Daniel Caesar. The show was filming in New York, so I also had jazz on constantly—Miles Davis, Sam Cooke, and Etta James.
What’s your favorite airplane movie, and why?
I’ve probably watched Bad Boys more than any other movie on planes. I also love vintage action movies like Rush Hour or Die Hard. Anything with Eddie Murphy. If I try to watch something too thought-provoking on a plane, I usually fall asleep.
What would be in your dream on-set rider?
Unlimited flights billed to production… easily. When you’re filming, you sometimes need to fly home for personal matters, events, or honestly, just a mental reset. I’d also want a gym membership with a sauna and weekly massages.
Which film do you re-watch the most?
The Banshees of Inisherin. I’ve probably seen it five or six times. It’s a perfect film to me. It has stellar performances across the board, it’s visually stunning, and is a story that subtly forces you to choose sides while also questioning why you’re choosing one at all.
Which jobs did you have before becoming a full-time actor?
I did everything. I worked at Chick-fil-A, was a barista, drove UberEats, ran self-tape businesses, took headshots, assisted an acting teacher, worked at a gym, and did early morning shifts at a bakery making muffins. Whatever it took to pay rent and stay in Los Angeles—whatever kept the dream alive.
Have you ever walked out of a movie theater?
My version of walking out is falling asleep. I don’t think I’ve ever actually left a theater mid-movie, though there were probably a few I should’ve. I like to give films the benefit of the doubt and see them through, hoping they’ll redeem themselves, but I ultimately just end up closing my eyes.
Grooming by Camille Evans
Photography Assistance by Cooper Burton
Styling Assistance by Mary Yermagyan
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