interview by JANA LETONJA

Actor and musician, Eliot Sumner, is currently starring in the highly-anticipated Netflix’s series ‘Ripley’, which was released on 4th April. Eliot is also set to star in ‘Cry Wolf’, an adaptation of Hans Rosenfeldt’s book of same name, and previously appeared in Guy Ritchie’s ‘The Gentleman’ and Cary Joji Fukanaga’s ‘No Time to Die’.

Eliot, we can currently watch you in Netflix’s series ‘Ripley’. Tell us how you got cast on this series and what attracted you to the script.
Avy Kauffman is the casting director on ‘Ripley’. The first time I had read for her, I think it was February 2021. The scene I was sent to tape was the scene in the apartment when Freddie hunts down Dickie’s address to find not Dickie but Tom in the apartment. From what I read in the dialogue, I could hear the tone of it immediately. I could hear his arrogance, his entitlement and his relentless suspicion of Tom. Steve wrote to me personally to tell me he was giving me the part. I am forever thankful I got to be his Freddie.

How would you sum up this series and your character Freddie?
‘Ripley’ is really a masterpiece. It’s the best thing I have ever seen. The more I watch it, the more I pick up on the genius that is Highsmith and Zaillian combined. You see Ripley’s world under a microscope. To me, Tom is a romantic, he loves beautiful things, he appreciates the beauty of life more so than Dickie, Marge and Freddie. As a viewer, you want Tom to have it all regardless of his actions. On paper Tom is a conman, but if you look closely, you’ll find that all the characters tell lies to themselves and misrepresent who they are in the world. Freddie is definitely not a playwright, Dickie isn’t an artist, Marge is not a writer and inspector Ravini seems to lie about where his wife comes from.

In the book, Highsmith describes Freddie as hideous. He’s rude to waiters, he’s impolite and most of all, he’s everything that Tom Ripley despises.  

How did you prepare for this role and how do you usually prepare for new roles?
I have to say it’s very funny slipping into Freddie shoes. There was a lot to play with. I’ve always been drawn towards despicable characters with an ugliness to them. I’m not sure why.

What kind of roles and projects challenge you the most creatively?
I like a healthy balance of taking direction and self-intuition. Once that mutual trust is established, I believe creatively you can take things anywhere.

I recently finished filming a Swedish western called ‘Vargasommar’ (‘Cry Wolf’) directed by Jesper Ganslandt. I speak Swedish and Russian throughout the whole series. Sometimes the dialogue would change over night, which leant itself to the bewilderment of my character. I really trust Jesper. At this point, I would follow him into a battlefield blindfolded. Same goes for Zaillian.

Where do you usully draw inspiration from when approaching new acting projects?
Music is always my first source of inspiration. I think you can go anywhere psychologically with music.

Who would you describe as your biggest idols in life?
Mum and dad, Radiohead, Trent Reznor, Steve Zaillian, James Bond.

You are also passionate about fashion. What do you like the most about it and how would you describe your style?
I’ve started to get quite into Neapolitan tailoring. I loved working with Maurizio Millenotti on ‘Ripley’. I also like how Paul Newman dressed. 

After ‘Ripley’, what next projects are you currently working on?
‘Vargasommar’ (‘Cry Wolf’) will be coming out hopefully the end of 2024 and I have a few music projects I’m working on as well. 

TEAM CREDITS:
photography RITCHIE JO ESPENILLA
styling MARC FORNE
grooming AYUMI YAMAMOTO
interview JANA LETONJA