IWC rising stars: the ones to watch

Gentleman's Journal profiles three actors with different approaches to their art, but one thing in common – great timing

Gary Houlder

‘The only method I have,’ muses Kyle Soller, ‘and it’s one that transcends all my roles, is to just do as much research as I possibly can.’ And that amounts to a lot of learning, as, for a young actor, 33-year-old Soller’s resume is surprisingly long. From his early theatre work in the West End, via films such as Anna Karenina and The Fifth Estate, to television work including The Hollow Crown, You, Me and the Apocalypse and his best-known role as Francis Poldark, the American actor has played a range of parts – and he is an expert in every single one. ‘Whether that be reading up about the time period, or a person, or – for You, Me and the Apocalypse – learning about various disaster scenarios, I just gain as much knowledge as possible – to try to become an expert on whatever that character is about. ‘Otherwise, the audience can see the chinks – they can see the fakery.’ Soller was initially spotted by the Poldark producers while performing in the West End. ‘Several years back,’ he says, ‘I did three plays back-to-back – and I think that was the most significant period of growth in my career.’ And Soller, who singles out fellow American Sam Rockwell as an inspiration – ‘I dig how interesting his choices are, working in both theatre and film’ – is soon to return to the stage. ‘I’ve just finished shooting a film,’ the actor reveals, ‘but I’m actually just about to start rehearsals for Hedda Gabler at the National Theatre with Ruth Wilson – something I still can’t get my head around!’

Kyle wears: Watch Portugieser Chronograph by IWC, £6,250 iwc.com

Gary Houlder

‘I’m really fascinated by outsiders, says Anthony Boyle, ‘I always feel drawn to them.’ A good thing, too. For, earlier this year, the 22-year-old dropped out of drama school to bring the role of Scorpius Malfoy to life in the West End’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. ‘That said,’ he continues, ‘I don’t think I’m overly like Scorpius.’ With ice-blond hair – Boyle purports to have the ‘most expensive wig in theatre’ – and a high-pitched English accent, the character of Scorpius is indeed a far cry from the brown-haired Belfastian and his Northern Irish twang. ‘The first time I had to do extensive research for a role was when I played a heroin addict in a play for Andrew Whyment,’ says Boyle, citing method actors Daniel Day-Lewis and Gary Oldman as his major acting inspirations. ‘And that was the first time it really came together for me. Ever since, I’ve had to look for the vulnerability in my roles – that’s how I form my characters. If I was to play Hitler, I’d first have to find the humour and love in him.’ So what would the actor’s perfect role be? When his 15-month spell on the West End draws to a close, where will he next work his magic? ‘I think some screen work would be nice,’ says Boyle, ‘just for a change. Something with interesting characters and a brilliant script – what more could I want?’

Anthony wears: Portofino Chronograph by IWC, £4,550 iwc.com

Gary Houlder

‘It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do,’ says Dino Fetscher, ‘the only thing I ever could do. There is no plan B.’ Fetscher, the 28-year-old star of ITV’s new supernatural crime drama Paranoid, is relishing another unusual role after and starring in E4’s LGBT anthology series Banana last year. My role in Paranoid is very different – a real departure. But that works for me, because I’m inspired on a lot of different levels, in lots of different ways.’ Fetscher, who counts classical thespians such as Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, as well as contemporary actors like Ryan Reynolds among his inspirations, says that although he respects method actors and their processes, he definitely isn’t one. ‘The way I get into the head of my characters is actually really simple,’ says the actor. ‘I just read the script over and over again, until it becomes so familiar that I know everything about every single scene. ‘Writers give you a gift,’ he continues, warming to the theme of script-driven acting, ‘and the main thing I love about being an actor is the diversity of the scripts you can read. ‘In the future I’d like to play a really physically demanding role – a part for which I’d have to take a year out and learn a new skill. But I’ve also always been obsessed with magical fiction, so I’d love to play an anti-hero, a tortured soul with supernatural powers.’

Dino wears: Big Pilot’s Watch by IWC, £10,950 iwc.com

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