You Got It: Brad Alexander
Boasting a staggering 92 million hour worth of views, Netflix‘s You is one of the channel‘s most anticipated shows. Based on Caroline Kepnes‘ bone-chilling psychological thriller novel, the second part of season 4 adds another twist to the gruesome murders of its lead character, Joe Goldberg. In our interview, we talk to the rising star of the series, Brad Alexander. Having started out as a model, Brad not only expands on his journey into the world of acting, but also reveals some fun anecdotes from his time on set.
Brad Alexander photographed by Terrence Seah in London, styled by Sylvester Yiu, grooming by Mario Brooksbank @ Carol Hayes, with a special thanks to Linden Staub London.
Interview and text by Can Rusen.
CR: Brad, Congratulations on your debut in You. The last season of the show was so gripping. What was your reaction when you were cast for the role of Edward?
BA: Thanks so much. Oh man, I remember every detail because I wrote it all down. My agent calls in the afternoon and casually asks ‘How are you?’ Fine, I said. ‘Yeah? You doing good?’. I’m kind of confused now, why is he asking again? Yes, I’m fine, what’s up. He asks again, ‘No… how are YOU. Are YOU ok?’ He’s putting a lot of sauce on the ‘YOU’. I’m like wait… Is this about the show?? He says ‘yep’. I start to get a little nervous. I’m thinking ok, I’m definitely in the running. He’s about to tell me I’ve got another callback, a meeting with the director, or something like that. I ask him what the next steps are; what should I be preparing for? He says ‘Nothing, you got it. The part is yours’.
It is hard to accurately describe that feeling. It was absolutely the most vivid and intense moment of my life. I spent the next 20 minutes variously shaking, pacing the room, and mumbling semi-incoherent questions to the effect of ‘are you sure?’. I was really waiting for some kind of catch. He starts mentioning a lot of, presumably very important, stuff about contracts and schedules. The words are entering my ears, but my brain just isn’t processing them, still fully caught somewhere between euphoria and disbelief. We wrap up the call and by this point, I’m on the floor in the middle of my studio. Not sure how I ended up there, but suddenly it was just me and this massive news. Out of nowhere, I just start sobbing. Up to that point, I hadn’t really granted myself the title of ‘actor’ despite getting representation and even a line in another project. I just didn’t feel worthy of it yet. But I realised this changes all that. I wasn’t delusional to think I could do it, I have something to show to the many people who took huge risks on me to get to that position, and I can finally, without guilt or unease, call myself an actor. Then the floodgates truly opened. It was all very dramatic.
What was the most fun part and the biggest challenge of bringing Edward to life?
There’s a kind of threshold for Edward in the second part where he finally gets the inclusion he’s been seeking so desperately. Everything after that was a lot of fun — he was no longer bolstered by social and academic hierarchy or anchored down by uncertainty, and thus had room to be a real person. That’s when I had the most fun with him. It was tough trying to find a physical language for Edward, though. He’s younger than me, and so is probably more uncertain about a lot of things like intimacy.
Do you remember any fun moments on set?
I don’t know that there was a single part about the entire process that I wouldn’t describe as fun — even the hard or scary stuff. We were making up stories and playing pretend, it was all incredible fun. But one day in particular comes to mind: The groups of people Joe interacts with in this season are compartmentalised to some degree, but there was one day where many of the cast were featured simultaneously so we all got to hang out together in the green room all day for the first time. It felt like a school trip. Lukas leading us all through an extensive shoulder warm up, Amy and Tilly together, meeting Charlotte, who I knew and loved as Oregon in Fresh Meat. It was a great day. The rest of the cast have become my biggest inspirations, and they’re all lovely without exception.
“ I wasn’t delusional to think I could do it, I have something to show to the many people who took huge risks on me to get to that position, and I can finally, without guilt or unease, call myself an actor.”
You've had a pretty interesting career as a model so far. How does modelling compare to acting? Is there perhaps more work that goes into acting?
It’s an interesting thing to compare. There are parallels to draw, but also many things I needed to shake off in order to be an effective actor. In modelling, the collaborative skill and art is in ‘finding the frame’ that maximises the aesthetic appeal of every element. If you take that philosophy into acting, it’s a recipe for disaster. I’ve discovered that emotions are rarely beautiful. In that, it was also quite an uncomfortable shock seeing myself act for the first time. There are a great many frames that could be fairly described as ‘not beautiful’. But this interesting U-turn happens at a certain point as a viewer where you can discover a new kind of beauty in the authenticity of a given emotional expression. So the two disciplines might have different goals and ideals, but ultimately end up in the same place.
So, what’s next for you?
We can only wonder. It’s not for us to decide, really. What I can tell you though is that tomorrow I will wake up with the same delirious enthusiasm for acting and an equal drive to develop my practice. So whatever does come next, I’ll be ready.
Finally, what do you think SID stands for?
Seriously interesting details? Salacious interview deals? I’m afraid to say, but I have absolutely no idea!
YOU Season 4 Part 2, now available exclusively on Netflix. Watch the trailer below:
