Nathan Mitchell

GN: You began your career as a classically trained stage actor. How did that foundation shape

the way you approach your roles today?

NM: I wouldn’t say it was classic in the traditional sense. But I did receive an amazing education from

the drama program at Cawthra Park Secondary School. It was a very grounded, down to earth

education. We really benefited from studying alongside different art forms. You’d see your

classmates’ art pieces on the walls, hear their music in the hallways, and there were so many

amazing dance shows. That exposure really inspired me and encouraged me to go deeper into

acting. In drama class we covered so many subjects and genres from Commedia D’elle Arte to

Shakespeare and Theatre of the Absurd. We would read plays, then sit in a circle and reflect on

them. We even got to write and act in plays of our own. Most of the time I just felt like I was having

fun. But by my final semester I realized I’d learned a lot.

GN. You’ve portrayed such a wide range of characters across television and film. What draws

you to a role?

NM: I love characters with a unique voice that I feel some kind of resonance with. If I can see an aspect of

myself in the character that I can really heighten and use to bring them to life I get really excited

to play them. I love when characters have relatable flaws or contain contradictions that puzzle you

but pull you in at the same time. I’m also drawn to a story by the quality of the writing. So much

attention goes to actors and directors, but writers are really the backbone of this industry. It’s

through their words that all of this happens. And I have a deep appreciation for writers who have

put a lot of thought into subtext, character arcs, and the overall structure of their story. When

you’re working with a great script the words feel like honey coming out of your mouth.

GN:: You’ve continued to embody Black Noir in The Boys. How has that experience evolved for you

over time?

NM: When I first got this role I was told this character would never speak and that we would never see

his face. I accepted that whole heartedly and jumped in. It’s funny, when you give your heart and

soul to a character they begin take on their own reality after a time and they become real in a way.

The deeper I dove into Noir, the more that happened. When we got to the day of his death scene. It

felt like someone was dying that day. It was in the air. When the original Noir died, I mourned him.

And then the next season I got to play a new version of the character that actually talks. So it’s been

quite the journey for me.

GN: With the final season of The Boys arriving, what emotions come with closing that chapter?

NM: Nostalgia, Gratefulness, Sadness. But at the same time, I feel so thankful. There are a few things I’ve

really wanted in my career; to be a part of a cast that feels like family, to tell a great story that the

world could see, and to play a superhero. This show has given me all three in one. It truly has been

so, so special. A once in a lifetime opportunity. I am so proud of what we’ve created. And I am so

thankful to have gotten to share this experience with such wonderful people

GN: In Ginny & Georgia, you portray Zion, a very grounded and emotionally present father. How

did you connect with that character?

NM: My youngest sister and I have a 14 year age gap, which is pretty similar to Zion and Ginny. So

energetically I came to this character with a feel of what that dynamic was like. Growing up I was a

big brother, but also an authority figure. So I could kind of go back and forth between those roles. So

if I needed to lay down the law and say ‘hey, this is how it’s gotta be’ I could do that. But at the same

time the responsibility of that wasn’t on me, it was on my parents. I could also occupy the role of the

chill, fun big brother and just be there for her in that way. And given the dynamics of Zion, Ginny,

and Georgia, that’s also what Zion does in the early seasons. As we get into Season 3 and onwards,

the way he shows up as a father starts to change, but my dynamic with my youngest sister gave me

the blue print.

GN:. You’ve worked across genres from superhero series to grounded dramas. How do you shift

between such different worlds?

NM: Honestly it hasn’t been too difficult. There has as always been at least 1 -2 months between

productions. So I’ve had enough time to wind down, reset, and switch into the other character

before the next Season. Now if they were filming at the same time, that would be a different story.

It’s a little more difficult to go from having your guts ripped out in a violent action series to

comforting your teenage daughter in an entirely different genre. But I’m sure I would’ve found a

way.

GN: Looking back at your early roles, what do you think has changed most about you as an actor?

NM: I think as the years go on, and your training deepens, and you spend more time on set, you learn to

inhabit yourself more fully. You become more grounded, surer of yourself. You start to trust your

instrument more. You do your scene analysis and you let your instincts and intuition guide you. I

think I’ve become a fuller version of myself. I think all the ingredients that were there at the

beginning are more mixed together and integrated now. And I can only hope to keep going in that

direction.

8. You’ve been part of long-running and culturally impactful projects. What does success mean to

you at this stage in your career?

NM: I’ve been so fortunate. For most actors, whether a project is successful or not is really out of our

control. There are so many factors that come into play. For me success is playing meaningful roles

in well told stories that can impact a wide audience. But it’s also about the day-to-day experience of

being part of a great team and environment. Enjoying the material you work on and the people you

work with. You can be on the most successful show in the world but if you’re miserable everyday it

doesn’t mean much. But I am thankful to both shows for what they’ve given me.

GN: Outside of acting, what inspires you creatively or keeps you grounded?

NM: I love listening to covers of my favourite songs on Youtube. Seeing musicians make art out the songs

they’re inspired by is really special to me. It’s like you’re taking something you love, bringing it

inside you, remixing it, and sending it out to the world. It’s this really interesting process that allows

me to experience my favourite songs in a different way. That’s one of the things that inspires me

creatively. As far as what keeps me grounded, I find activities that challenge me, connect me to my

body, and encourage you to stay present are really good for that. It could be basketball, hiking, even

just sitting quietly in nature. I also love playing board games with family and friends. Risk is my

favourite.

GN: What does the term Goodnight mean to you?

NM: Goodnight is the ‘See you later’ before you go to sleep.

Photographer: Jonny Marlow

Styling: Caitlin Pope

Grooming: Simone