Ian Bohen can currently be seen as Ryan on the critically acclaimed series ‘Yellowstone’, which will be returning with the second part of the fifth season very soon. Best known for his role as Peter Hale in MTV’s hit series ‘Teen Wolf’’, he reprised his role in ‘Teen Wolf: The Movie’, which was released on Paramount+ on 26th January.

Ian, you are one of the main stars in Paramount’s series ‘Yellowstone’. The series will be soon returning with the second part of its fifth season. What will we see the series returns with the new episodes?

The new season will pick up right where it left off with the fracturing of the characters. Half of the bunkhouse is leaving along with Rip, who is now away from Beth. The governor is away from the ranch in Helena and Kayce and Monica are also somewhat displaced. The season will be about getting everyone home safely where they belong.

In the series, you portray Ryan, a cowboy wrangler. How exciting is it to star in a neo-Western series and to portray a cowboy?

I wanted to be a cowboy since I was a little kid spending summers on my grandfather’s farm in Wisconsin. Getting to play one in the mountains of Montana and shooting this show has been a dream come true. It’s certainly a once-in-a-lifetime kind of opportunity. I don’t look at it like a job, it’s an entire lifestyle now. I’m very grateful.

‘Yellowstone’ is one of the highest-rated series right now. What contributed to its popularity and success in your opinion?

The show is so successful because it’s made for the cowboy, rancher, farmer, worker, American-West person and their family. It’s not just about them, it’s for them. When you combine that jumping-off point with relatable characters, wonderful performers and incredibly brilliant words to say, you’ll find that people will want to watch it.

This January, you reprised your role as Peter in ‘Teen Wolf: The Movie’, a continuation to the hit MTV series ‘Teen Wolf’. How was it reuniting with the cast and doing this film after all these years?

I’m still so close with my ‘Teen Wolf’ family that it doesn’t seem like we’ve ever not been united. I speak to at least one cast mate every week. But getting back to set, in costume, with all the nostalgia of the series was very special indeed. It didn’t feel at all like it had been almost 6 years.

In ‘Teen Wolf’ you played a morally ambiguous character. Why did you enjoy the challenge of playing Peter so much?

Playing a villain is so much more fun for me that a normal protagonist. Because the character commits such awful deeds, I have to find a way to make him sympathetic in the minds of the audience. He has to be relatable in some way despite his bad behavior, otherwise he’s just a ‘Bad Guy’ and that’s not really interesting. No one roots for the bad guy to come around, they wait to cheer when he’s defeated. Making Peter redeemable was one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever had the opportunity to do.

How much did your character change since the series wrapped up and up to this film?

Peter has a pseudo-immortal quality to him. Being a supernatural creature he doesn’t really age at the same rate as the others in the show and from where he started at the end of the series to now, I’d say he’s roughly the same person. Maybe a bit more cheeky.

Why do you believe supernatural series and films have been so popular for such a long time now?

Supernatural series and films stretch the bounds of your imagination and desires. The fantasy of the unattainable power and gifts of these worlds and people is incredibly desirable, especially to young people. Specifically those who feel left out, disenfranchised and that they don’t belong or are misfits. As you recall, each person in your favorite film franchise or series had to learn to cope with the pain of being different and not fitting into society. They find a community of like-minded and begin to feel a sense of home. You start there and you’re going to find a lot of people who relate. Then throw in some action and adventure and you’re going to be off like a rocket.

When you’re not acting, you love to travel. Which places and why do you love the most?

My favorite places in the world are Paris, Italy, home with my family where I grew up and New York City. But I choose to spend most of my time in Montana right now. I get the best of everything.

You’re also a very fashionable guy. Why do you love fashion? And what is your absolute favorite piece of clothing in your wardrobe?

What you wear is your mantle, your wrapping paper. What you feel comfortable in and showing the world is important to me. Sometimes I dress like a bum, sometimes it’s a three-piece suit. I mostly do everything based on feel and it varies with the season. Of course, practicality is always in play. And yes, sometimes you even dress for other people. 

Besides new episodes of ‘Yellowstone’, what do you have coming up next?

I have two films coming out that I’m very excited about. ‘Call Me Now’, that is about the life of Youree Del Harris and ‘Air Force One Down’, which is pretty self-explanatory.

interview by JANA LETONJA

photography TONY DURAN

styling BRUNO LIMA

groomer STEEVE DAVIAULT