Q&A

GN: Your latest project, The Last Frontier on Apple TV+, places you alongside Jason Clarke, Haley Bennett, and Dominic Cooper. What initially drew you to the role, and how did you prepare to portray such a complex father–son dynamic within a high-stakes narrative?

TB: The Last Frontier checked a lot of the boxes for what I was looking for in a project; a great cast, an amazing creative team, and the opportunity to do something on a larger scale. I spent a lot of time with Jason Clarke, Simone Kessell and our directors, discussing family dynamics and figuring out what Luke needed, not only for himself, but from his parents. We shot the episodes out of order, so having a full understanding of my character arc was important and those conversations were absolutely necessary.

GN: Having worked with a wide range of accomplished actors from Kevin James and Taylor Lautner to Ryan Phillippe, what have you observed about the different creative approaches seasoned performers bring to set, and how have those experiences shaped your own craft?

TB: There’s a confidence and well earned gravitas with seasoned actors, which is really inspiring to be around. They’ve learned how to take initiative and fully understand what they want to get out of a character. As the saying goes, “iron sharpens iron”, and the only way to grow is to surround yourself with people who are more experienced than you. I try to be a bit of a sponge on set and soak up whatever knowledge the veterans would like to impart.

GN: You and your brother both portrayed the same character at different ages in, ‘For All Mankind’ a remarkable coincidence. How did sharing a role in that way influence your understanding of character continuity and the emotional evolution of performance?

TB: Teddy had booked the role of “Shane” on For All Mankind before I did. We honestly act nothing alike, but the close relationship we have made it quite easy for me to portray him. Continuity is so important, and it only comes through familiarity with the characters and through a shared vision.

GN: In Home Team, you stepped into a story inspired by real-life events. What responsibilities do you feel an actor bears when portraying a character rooted in truth, particularly within a family-centered narrative?

TB: Authenticity has always been the primary focus for me when stepping into a character’s shoes, especially when the character being portrayed is based on a real person. Since Home Team was a loose adaptation, I had to figure out what kind of a person Connor was in real life, and how this semi-fictionalized version of him would have reacted to the situations he was in. I felt an onus of responsibility to take creative license and fill in the blanks, while still staying true to the real Connor.

GN: You have an impressive background outside of acting competitive go kart racing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu among them. How have these physically and mentally demanding disciplines informed your sense of focus, discipline, and resilience as an artist?

TB: Getting beat down and making the decision to show up again, over and over, has been good preparation for the nature of the film business. Sport has helped me become better at dealing with loss and handling rejection, I’ve undoubtedly become more resilient. As my dad would say, the most important thing is “time in the seat”, which applies to all of my pursuits.

GN: Many actors can pinpoint a pivotal moment that redefined their understanding of the craft. Can you share a formative experience early in your career that continues to guide your approach to performance today?

TB: When I was 12, I shot a short film where I was the lead. I was a bit nervous, as it was my first time as a “1” on a call sheet. Prior to the shoot, the creative team had let me know that I was an independent creative force, I was allowed to make my own decisions, which was a first for me. Despite my age, they treated me with the upmost respect as an artist - enabling me to bring my own take on a character. My love of filmmaking has grown immensely since then, and I’ve been chasing that spirit of collaboration ever since. All it took was one truly positive experience to set me on this creative trajectory, hopefully for the rest of my life.

GN: You’ve spoken candidly about early nerves and moments of self-doubt. As your career progresses, how have you learned to manage pressure and maintain composure within demanding professional environments?

TB: When I realized that I truly had nothing to lose, I was free to fail - I stopped being quite so insecure. As a perfectionist, I’m always having to battle against an impossible standard I’ve set for myself, but the more projects I do, the more confidence I have in my ability to deliver.

GN: Beyond acting, you’ve expressed a growing interest in writing and storytelling. What kinds of narratives most resonate with you creatively, and how do you envision exploring them in the future?

TB: I’m absolutely in love with character driven, slice of life films. My biggest aspiration is to write and direct my own projects; I’ve written multiple screenplays so far and plan to keep writing more. Whenever I have questions to ask, frustrations I’d like to air out; screenplays have acted as a very therapeutic thing for me in difficult times. I try to watch a film a day, which isn’t always attainable, but that’s the mindset I try to keep. I’m most inspired by auteur directors such as Terrence Malick, Abbas Kiarostami, Akira Kurosawa and Wong Kar-wai.

GN: You’ve said your ultimate goal is to “move and inspire” audiences. In an era where entertainment often competes with constant distraction, what does meaningful storytelling look like to you?

TB: “Quality over content” is a slogan I like to use, which I think sums up my artistic mission pretty perfectly. Art is meant to be provocative, it’s meant to start conversation and make the audience feel something, challenge the way they think. A quote I love is, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”

GN: You began your career at a remarkably young age, and your trajectory continues to ascend. How do you remain grounded amid success, and what guiding principles help you navigate the balance between ambition and authenticity?

TB: I think it’s one thing to be an actor, and another thing to be a guy who just happens to love acting. I’m a person who is seeking deeper truth and to discover what is authentic, both in a character and in my own life. I’m very very close with my family and they’ve made sure I don’t become overwhelmed by the lifestyle that oftentimes comes with this profession. Separating from it all and finding a place to just get away and be alone is so very important.

GN: Finally, what does the word “Goodnight” mean to you, both as a phrase and perhaps as a reflection?

TB: “Goodnight” to me means the start of a new day and the beginning of a new chapter!

Images courtesy of Lensbymi

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