Back To One

He was Aquaman on "Smallville" and Hawk on "Titans," and now Alan Ritchson is taking on the role of "Reacher" in the new Amazon series based on the Lee Child books. Child highlighted the "blend of menace and goodwill" that Ritchson brings to the role as something that attracted him to the actor. Ritchson talks about how the super long audition process functioned almost like a workshop for him to experiment with different approaches to the character, which paid off when he landed the part and finally got in front of the camera. He tells another story of a very different audition that wasn't as successful but that changed his life for the better, and shares a valuable lesson he learned about letting go and picking your battles as an actor, plus much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Norwegian actor Renate Reinsve's performance in her first leading role, in Joachim Trier's "The Worst Person In The World," earned her the best actress award at Cannes and is slowly taking the world by storm. She embodies Julie with a levity and depth that is both grounded in a relatable reality and poetically expresses the beauty and heartbreak of life at the same time. To say it's the kind of work that changes people's lives is not an exaggeration. In this half hour, we take the microscope to her performance and lay out the factors at play in its creation. Reinsve talks about her obsession with character motivation that she developed at an early age, almost as a form of self therapy. She explains the importance of leaving the ego out and serving the piece as a whole, Trier's balance of control and freedom that made all the difference, Timothée Chalamet as spirit animal, plus much more. "The Worst Person In The World" opens in LA and NY on February 4th. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Eric Roberts will soon have more credits as an actor than anyone else who has ever lived anywhere in the world. An intensity matched only by raw talent on display in films like "Star 80," "The Pope of Greenwich Village," and "Runaway Train" established him as a respectable actor's actor in Hollywood. And, as he talks about in this episode, once video replaced film, and more people began shooting, they wanted Eric Roberts in their movies. And once he became privy to how many offers were coming in, he started saying yes. Work begot work fairly quickly, and he never stopped. I ask him how he handles non-professional crews and actors on these ultra low budget sets, and if the drain on his energy is worth it. He compares acting to exercise, sex, and kissing, talks about the art of using cue cards, tells insightful stories about Mickey Rourke and Bob Fosse, explains why "The Righteous Gemstones" is his favorite working experience ever, plus much more. Follow "Back To One" on Instagram

This is Kevin Corrigan's fourth time on the podcast (his previous episodes are #1, #67, #133). It's a yearly tradition to visit with the wise sage of indie film acting. We're catching him right after returning from his latest job in Vancouver. He highlights a few moments from that shoot that stand out for him, shares what's behind his incredible drawings of moments he loves from various performances, fails at "Kevin Corrigan Trivia" (which leads to some memories of "Walking And Talking"), talks about what makes it all "worth it," and much more. Plus we chat way too much about "The Beatles: Get Back." Follow Back To One on Instagram Check out Kevin's amazing drawings on his Instagram

Chris Diamantopoulos was always an actor. Never held another job. He was working on the stage at an early age—touring companies, Broadway—then transitioned to television, film, and eventually voice overs. Never stopped. Some highlights: Russ Hanneman on "Silicon Valley," Reinhold on "Community," Moe in "The Three Stooges," the official voice of Mickey Mouse, and right now you can see him playing bad guys in Netflix's "Red Notice" and "True Story." We recorded this interview hours before he started a new job and he takes us through what's on his mind on the night before day one. He talks about how the voice is always the aspect he starts with when building a character, why going back to Broadway in a musical after many years was so challenging, the importance of keeping himself at a place of healthy neutrality, plus lessons learned from Brian Cranston, Kirk Russell, David Fincher, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

"The Girlfriend Experience" put Riley Keough on the radar, and she's been giving us multi-layered, deeply-rooted, captivating performances ever since, mostly in indie films like "American Honey," "Under The Silver Lake," "The House That Jack Built," and now this year's "Zola," where she brilliantly walks the line of authentic nuance and absurdity in the role of Stefani. In this episode, she talks about the touchy endeavor of building the right approach for that character with director Janicza Bravo, the importance of knowing when to tighten up on prep or leave it loose, why she hates auditioning, how her spirituality enriches the work, why she's not willing to risk her mental health for the job, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Léa Seydoux was a talented young French actor when she reached planet-wide stardom with her incredible performance in "Blue Is The Warmest Color" (she even shared the Palm d'Or at Cannes, which had never been awarded to actors before). Since then she has invaded Hollywood, starring in James Bond movies and Wes Anderson films, but also continuing to turn in exceptional performances for international directors like Yorgos Lanthimos, Arnaud Desplechin, Ildikó Enyedi, and, for her latest film "France," Bruno Dumont. In this episode, she talks about the "sweet craziness" of working with Dumont, the importance of learning the "language" of the director, why their differences of approach are actual what appeals to her, how cinema saved her life, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Looking back at Scott Speedman's work in the early days of "Felicity" is a bit surprising. His acting had a wonderfully nuanced authenticity even then. Two decades later, that natural artistry has grown into a charismatic intensity and assuredness. It's on display this year in the third season of "You," the eighteenth season of "Grey's Anatomy," and the charming indie film "Best Sellers." When we spoke he had just wrapped films with David Cronenberg and Lena Dunham. He talks about working with those two very different directors, the secret to good onscreen chemistry, how fatherhood might deepen his work, and much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram (photo by Ben Duggan)

Rebecca Wisocky plays Hetty Woodstone, the deceased Lady of the Manner, on the new CBS series "Ghosts," where she's a stand-out among stand-outs in its impressive comedy ensemble. In this episode, she talks about the absolute pleasure of working on that set and the interesting ways in which the large cast, who more often than not act together in the same shot, find the "music of the scene" together. She has pretty much mastered the art of the guest star role, and has played more than her share of villains. I get her to breakdown her latest in a recent episode of "Dopesick." She talks about walking the line of behavioral specificity and story function. Plus we chat a bit about actor's safety post-"Rust." And much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Shakespeare on the stage is his first love, but Alex Hassell loves the camera and it loves him back. Currently he plays Vicious in "Cowboy Bebop," the live-action remake of the popular Japanese anime series. On this episode, he talks about being attracted to roles that are difficult, how years of stripped-down live theater work at The Factory formed him as an actor, why he's more at ease when he doesn't know what's going to happen next, his valuable contribution to Joel Coen's "The Tragedy of Macbeth," and how the particular challenges of acting on film excite him. Plus much more! "Cowboy Bebop" is available now to watch on Netflix and "The Tragedy of Macbeth" will premiere in select theaters on Christmas Day and globally on Apple TV+ on January 14th. Follow Back To One on Instagram (photo by DWGH Photography)

From "The Walking Dead" and "Punisher" to "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Small Engine Repair," "The Many Saints of Newark," and this month's "King Richard," Jon Bernthal has established himself as the hard-working, all-in, go-to, actor's-actor of the moment. In this episode, he talks about some of the elements he uses—generosity, energy management, isolation, fear-as-fuel, group strength—to do his work, the one thing all great directors have in common, why he'd be just as grateful doing regional theater, plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Ruth Negga loves words. And even someone who doesn't particularly love words falls in love with the ones spoken by Ruth Negga. It's not just her Irish accent. She uses words like a master craftsman uses tools. A profound humbleness. No pretension. Just the right tool, used at the right time, to make you understand, to make you believe. Obviously this goes for her acting work too. But, in true master-craftsman-style, there's no sign of craft. You just believe. "Loving" got her an Academy Award nomination, her "Hamlet" got raves on both sides of the pond, and now "Passing," Rebecca Hall's stunning debut as a director, has them talking about Negga's work again, this time opposite the wonderful Tessa Thompson. In this episode, she talks about the importance of gauging the atmosphere of the project, following instinct when it comes to trusting a director, the secret of playing an intoxicating character, and much much more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

After 30 years in the business, with credits ranging from "Angels in America" to the "Harry Potter" films and everything in between, Jason Isaacs has cultivated an approach to the craft of acting aimed at bringing himself fully into the moment. As he talks about in this episode, that approach involves not memorizing his lines, erasing all descriptors in the script, making no decisions before seeing what the other actors bring. "I try to do nothing. I try to be an empty vessel." In Fran Kranz's "Mass"—a real-time, one-room, four-hander where every actor shines—Isaacs plays a father of a child killed in a school shooting. He gets to play with sadness, sarcasm, vulnerability, rage, restraint, revelation, and manages to ground it all in a solid emotional realism that leaves the viewer rocked and changed. What does Isaacs have to say about how he created this amazing performance that just might be one of the best we've been given this year? "I don't remember…It's like a black out." Follow Back To One on Instagram

He already had an Olivier Award for his amazing performance as Miss Trunchbull in "Matilda" when Bertie Carvel made his Broadway debut in that unforgettable role. He went on to win a Tony the next time he stepped on the New York stage, playing a young Rupert Murdoch in "Ink." Notable recent television credits include the BBC series "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," "Doctor Foster," and in November he stars in "Dalgliesh" on Acorn TV. In this hour, I get him to reflect objectively about his process and philosophically about acting in general. He talks about why collaboration (or even the illusion of collaboration) is the key to unlock an actor's potential, how sometimes a director's "arrogance of ignorance" can actually be helpful, how he navigated the urge to share his ideas on the Joel Coen production "The Tragedy of Macbeth" (which will be out later this year), why he believes a good actor can elevate mediocre material, plus MUCH more. Follow Back To One on Instagram

"Phantom Thread" solidified Vicky Krieps as an acting force to be reckoned with. Her incredible performance in that film felt new, like a beginning of sorts. Her latest is Mia Hansen-Løve's "Bergman Island." She talks about figuring out ways to turn the difficulties of that production into opportunities to create something magical. Plus she gives us a glimpse inside her process-less process, made up of deconstruction, openness, acceptance, listening, embracing chaos, exploding the method, living with failure, holding space for the unknown, and letting intuition lead the way. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Noomi Rapace returns to the podcast (first time: Ep. 43) to talk about her new film, the atmospheric, slow-burn thriller "Lamb." Set in Iceland, which Noomi knows well from her childhood, the film's landscapes feel almost like supporting characters. She talks about using the emotions they brought up in her, and the delicate way she entered grief into the performance. After I share my embarrassing animal parenting story, Noomi matches it, and illustrates why it was not hard at all to make her motherly love for the lamb baby believable. She schools us on the importance of not sticking to decisions that are "expired," avoiding the trap of self awareness, and operating on instincts. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Julia Ducournau's new film "Titane" is, on many levels, an overwhelming cinematic experience. If you're like me, it might take a second viewing to begin to fully appreciate the astounding work Agathe Rousselle and Vincent Lindon deliver (no pun intended) to us in this film. Lindon is a seasoned actor with decades of accolades and experience in French cinema, and Rousselle is a wet-behind-the-ears newcomer making her feature film debut. But, serendipitously, as you'll gather from this discussion, that is precisely what each of them needed in the other to energize their own performances. They talk about facing fears, letting go, finding freedom within restriction, and the instinctual, trancelike experience of filming that intense final scene. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Tom Skerritt is the very definition of a veteran actor. "MASH," "Alien," "Steel Magnolias," "Top Gun," "A River Runs Through It," and countless other supporting credits in films and television grace his esteemed resume, plus an Emmy for "Picket Fences." But never a lead role in a feature film! Until now. "East Of The Mountains" just might be 88 year old Tom Skerritt's best work on the screen. It's an assured, vulnerable, simple yet extremely powerful performance, utilizing, as he describes in this episode, his "less is more" approach to acting. He talks about what he learned mentoring with Robert Altman and Hal Ashby, on the other side of the camera, that still helps his work today. And I ask him what's the worst thing a director even did to him. Get ready for a laugh and some inspiration. Follow BACK TO ONE on Instagram

The last time Alessandro Nivola was on Back To One (Ep. 37), he had just landed the role of Dickie Moltisanti in "The Many Saints of Newark," the feature film prequel to "The Sopranos," and had nearly six months to prepare the role. On this episode, he takes us from there, detailing the extensive research, geographical immersion, voice and body work that went into the preparation process for the biggest role of his career. He talks about the importance of authenticity in every aspect of the character, how "Raging Bull" played a big part in keeping him on track, why David Chase told him to ignore any mention of his character in the series, how "leaning in" to his various intimidations of Ray Liotta helped his work, and if starring in the biggest movie of the year after 25 years of supporting roles changes the game plan going forward. Plus MUCH more. (There are no spoilers in this episode. "The Many Saints of Newark" opens on October 1st in theaters and on HBO Max) Follow Back To One on Instagram

When Dominic Burgess is not stealing scenes as a guest star, he's getting raves as Jerry Summers in "Dr. Death," Ember in "The Magicians," and Victor Buono in the Ryan Murphy miniseries "Feud." On this episode, he talks about why the vibe on a set is a big factor in his work, his struggles lately gauging exactly what "gay" means as a descriptor in heteronormative projects, why he appreciates when actors don't let their unsettling methods infect others on the set, and how nearly every golden opportunity he's had recently can be traced back to something that will forever force us to put quotes around the word "failed" when speaking of auditions that don't lead to the intended job. Plus much more! Follow BACK TO ONE on Instagram

John Pollono is a playwright, screenwriter, and actor. You know him from "Mob City" and "This is Us." He wrote the film "Stronger" and the play "Small Engine Repair," which had successful runs in Los Angeles and New York. The filmed version, which he also stars in and directs, is about to open after Covid delayed its release. It co-stars Jon Bernthal and Shea Whigham. In this episode, he talks in-depth about working with those guys, the changes that needed to be made from stage to screen that served to enrich the experience, and the factors that played a part in it all coming together in an organic way. Plus much more! Follow BACK TO ONE on Instagram

Her riveting and revelatory performance in Kazik Radwanski's "Anne At 13,000 Ft." is the latest in a run of risky work by the Canadian indie phenom Deragh Campbell. In this hour, she talks about the process of sinking into Anne as the production went on and the great benefits and humorous backfires of immersing with non-professional actors in some scenes. Blending non-fiction into her performances is something she does often, particularly in collaboration with director Sofia Bohdanowicz. She talks about the character they created together, Audrey Benac, and the interesting ways performing as her has evolved over five projects. Plus how escaping from self-consciousness has helped the work and maybe even other aspects of her life. And MUCH more. Follow BACK TO ONE on Instagram

A Q&A with Dylan and Sean Penn on the opening night of their film "Flag Day" at the Alamo Drafthouse in Brooklyn, moderated by Back To One host Peter Rinaldi. August 20, 2021 Follow Back To One on Instagram

When it comes to her characters, Emmy nominee Jurnee Smollett is guided by truth. In this episode, the "Lovecraft Country" star talks about how painting in the tiny details helps her know how to live in a character, and why she doesn't need to know what her character doesn't know. She talks about why actors shouldn't be afraid to speak up when they are not getting what they need, and why she needs to express herself through acting for her very survival. Plus we go off on a pretty cool Al Pacino tangent, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Actor, rapper, writer, producer, Daveed Diggs loves wearing many hats, often at the same time. "Hamilton" made him a star. He won a Tony for it. Now he's nominated for an Emmy for his incredible work in the filmed version of the musical. In this episode, he talks about his need to find the character somewhere in his body, and why attending editing sessions for his new show "Blindspotting" on breaks from acting in the television series "Snowpiercer" was the opposite of overwhelming. He paints us a picture of his creative life in the lead-up to the life-changing experience of "Hamilton," and the times, toward the end of his run, where it was hard to find the required energy. Plus I ask him about the time I watched him make a whole quiche from scratch, and MUCH more! Follow BACK TO ONE on Instagram

After six seasons, Matthew Rhys won an Emmy for his stellar work on "The Americans." Spielberg's "The Post," and "A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood" (opposite Tom Hanks) followed, and now he's nominated for another Emmy for his incredible work in "Perry Mason" on HBO. In this half hour, he compares the experience of building (and "wrestling") his two major television characters into life. He talks about the humiliating way he learned the acting lesson that listening is just as important as speaking. He shares a few tools he uses when he can't get in the groove, explains why he's easily distracted while performing, and lists the brand new worries he's fortunate enough to have as a leading man. Plus MUCH more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

"Teeth," "Somebody Up There Likes Me," "Chained For Life," "The Good Wife," are just a few of the great Jess Weixler's credits. Ten years ago she co-stared in "The Lie" with Joshua Leonard. They played a couple with a baby and one big problem. He directed. Most of the dialogue came out of improvisation. Now they've done it again with "Fully Realized Humans." They again play a couple. This time the baby is in utero and the laughs are bigger, the situations more absurd yet also more thought-provoking. Weixler is credited as co-writer. In this episode she details the improv method they used to build the dialogue out of the circumstances in the scene. We try to figure out what Leonard meant by "the phantom leg of naturalism," and she talks about what it was like to film this indie comedy while 8 months pregnant, including one moment of empowerment prompted from an unlikely source. Plus lots more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Phillipa Soo's first time on Broadway was in the unprecedented phenomenon that is "Hamilton." She was nominated for a Tony for her portrayal of Eliza, and now she's nominated for an Emmy for her incredible work in the filmed version. In this episode, she talks about how she managed to not let the superlatives overwhelm her into paralysis during that run, and the surprising way deeper, more playable meanings began to grow out of the text. She details a few specific ways the tools she was given at Juilliard came in handy, particularly in her first New York stage production, "Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet on 1812," and why it's important to "let the little guy drive," plus much more! All of this recorded outside, in a thunderstorm, with only a tree as cover! This episode doubles as a soothing nature recording. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Jon Huertas is the first actor on the podcast to talk extensively about the "BMS Technique" for preparation. He plays Miguel on "This Is Us." His past credits include "Castle," "Generation Kill," and the new film "Initiation." He tells an amazing story about botching an audition so badly that he felt a formal apology was necessary (of course he landed the role). He talks about the importance of making different choices with every take, his mission, on the other side of the camera, to create content about Latinx people that completely avoids stereotypes, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

For the past decade, Frank Mosley has been independent cinema's go-to actor. "Upstream Color," "Thunder Road," "Some Beasts," "Chained For Life," "Freeland," "The Ghost Who Walks," are just a few examples of films that benefit from the authenticity, deep-rooted intensity, and "all-in" approach he brings to every performance. His talents extend to the other side of the camera as well. His uncompromising, visionary shorts and features have played around the world, from Slamdance to the Champs-Elysées. In this hour, he informs, inspires, and reflects on this wonderful and insane creative endeavor that he can't stay away from without getting withdrawal symptoms. He talks about his fondness for rehearsal, how directing has helped his acting craft, what he did to give himself a boost when he felt the fire going out, the important power of empathy for the actor, why he's never going to stop creating, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

It makes sense that "Cobra Kai" star William Zabka often uses phrases common to musicians, like "find the rhythm" and "in the pocket," to help describe his acting process. Not only is he a musician himself, but music plays a fascinating part in his process. The phenomenal surprise success of "Cobra Kai" is due in no small part to the depth and intensity Zabka brings to the role of Johnny, which obviously has deep roots in his career. On this episode he talks about those roots, breaking down the text until it "falls into his belly," the "rivers" that run through his characterization, the layer of secrets that "aren't intended to be discovered," and the necessity to "cut the lines" to all those things in order to lay in the moment. Plus much more! It's a fascinating talk with an actor who is delivering a performance for the ages that has caught the attention of viewers across generations. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Ben Rosenfield has only been at it for 10 years, but he already has an interesting body of work behind him—"Boardwalk Empire," "6 Years," "Greetings From Tim Buckley" (in which he played Buckley), the third season of "Twin Peaks," and last year's "Mrs. America," to name just a few. Not to mention the New York stage productions where he performed opposite Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan. Maybe this is why the 28 year old speaks with the wisdom of an acting elder. He talks about the "turning of the soil" that has to happen with the text before he builds anything on top of it, how each approach to a character has to be different for it to be creative, and why he'd like to beneficially incorporate rejection into his actual process. Plus he talks about his latest starring role, in Hannah Marks' hilarious and poignant romantic epic "Mark, Mary & Some Other People," which has brought him to the Tribeca Film Festival. Follow Back To One on Instagram

We're catching the super talented Susan Kelechi Watson at an interesting moment. She plays Beth Pearson on the network television phenomenon "This Is Us," which just finished its fifth season and announced that the sixth will be its last. On this episode, she talks about what makes a performance "leave the screen," learning the power of minimalism from watching Sade, how sometimes being a little lost "in the wilderness" is an important part of her process, why she started building her post-"This Is Us" career many seasons ago, and much much more!

Jean Smart is the very definition of versatile. The three-time Emmy winner's first act highlights include "Designing Women," "Frasier," "24," and now a new act in her career, filled with even juicier roles, starting with "Fargo," "Legion," and "Watchmen," has led to current HBO favorites "Mare of Easttown," with Kate Winslet, and a staring role in "Hacks." In this half-hour she talks about the importance of hearing the character's voice, why not being an ingenue may have helped her career, frustrating ways the industry has changed for actors, her love for her current co-stars, why studio audiences throw her off her game, and much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

On a very special DOUBLE EPISODE, Laura Donnelly and Ann Skelly sit down for in-depth conversations on their craft and the magic they make together on the new HBO series "The Nevers." Donnelly talks about an artistic breakthrough that happened in rehearsal for a play that changed her perception of herself as an artist. Skelly talks about coming to the realization, early on, that she was getting "too technical" and what she did to bring back her "sense of discomfort again." And they both talk about the fascinating ways their approach to the work complement each other, and how their mutual fondness fuels the energy they use to create. Plus MUCH more! "The Nevers" is streaming on HBO Max. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Fifteen-time arm wrestling champion and three-time Emmy nominee Dot-Marie Jones inspired viewers with her moving portrayal of Coach Beiste on "Glee," which was her third time in a Ryan Murphy universe, after "Nip/Tuck" and "Pretty/Handsome." Last year she played "Little Helen" in "Greener Grass," and now she's "Big Sexy" in the hilarious and charming arm wresting comedy "Golden Arm." On this episode she tells the story of how, as an athlete who knew nothing about acting, an opportunity propelled her into the business after hearing the words "cold read" and imagining some kind of weather endurance test. She talks about how having a very specific type has benefited her, and nearly dying last year has mostly angered her, and why she dreams of getting back on the stage in "Rock Of Ages." Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

With remarkable performances in films like "Hacksaw Ridge," "The Social Network," "Under The Silver Lake," and "Silence," Andrew Garfield has established himself as one of the great actors of his generation. And now a virtuoso performance in Gia Coppola's new film "Mainstream" solidifies that. On this episode, he talks about two transformative experiences in the theater ("Death of A Salesman" and "Angels In America") that changed him in deep ways, and what he did on the nights when he felt so emotionally drained that he literally couldn't go on the stage. He talks about why he needs to feel "called" to a role, why he sometimes wonders what the moon is thinking when it looks at the earth, and how the fear and self-loathing he feels at the start of every production became an integral part of his preparation process. Plus much much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

I first came in contact with the juggernaut that is Shannon DeVido in her hilarious portrayal of Andrea Mumford on "Difficult People." Another recurring role on the Netflix series "Insatiable" followed, and now the actor/singer/comedian gets to combine it all in the smile-inducing new movie musical "Best Summer Ever." On this episode, she talks about the passionate, super-positive, love-filled environment that fueled that ambitious production, and the ways she adjusted to a starring role after years of guest spots. She gives us a peek at what it's like to navigate the acting world as a disabled person, and why the biggest limitations she faces are not due to her wheelchair, but those in the minds of decision-makers. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Julian Kostov is a multilingual Bulgarian actor, producer, and advocate for slavic representation. He plays Fedyor on the new hit Netflix fantasy series "Shadow and Bone." On this episode, he takes us from his depressed student years, when it was folly to even dream of working as an actor, through the difficult period of the growth of his craft, recovering from big auditions, strengthened by personal breakthroughs that fuel the work, all the way through the harnessing of his ability to bring his unique spin to wonderful roles and help others with the founding of his company JupiterLights Media, which bridges Bulgarian and other Eastern-European talent to the international entertainment industry. His success is not just built on hard work, but love, generosity, and a belief in the connection that binds us all. You're going to love this actor. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Clancy Brown is a living legend of actor's actors. With nearly 300 credits, from "Highlander" and "The Shawshank Redemption" to "SpongeBob SquarePants" and "Promising Young Woman," he's morphed and adapted in this business and made it work for him. On this episode, I ask him how his approach to preparation has changed over the years. He talks about the importance of knowing the narrative purpose of your character, why "faster, funnier, louder" are directorial notes that work for him, and how he looked at auditioning as exercising his Spencer-Tracy-don't-bump-into-the-furniture muscles. You can tell he had fun playing Montgomery Dark, a creepy Crypt-Keeper-esque storyteller, in his latest, the new anthology horror film "The Mortuary Collection," but, as you'll hear, playing King Lear would really get him excited. Follow Back To One on Instagram

In this epic episode, we really get to know the talented actor Danny Deferrari, who plays Max in Emma Seligman's brilliant and hilarious new film "Shiva Baby," and I'm eternally grateful for it. He talks about appreciating the "emotional language" that Seligman speaks and the heavy life situation that was weighing on him during that movie. He takes us through his early training as an actor, his formative and important seasons at the Williamstown Theater Festival, and the trials and tribulations that brought him to his "Holy Trinity of Artistic Safety." I break down how a small performance of his was successful because I didn't even know he performed it, and much much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Billy Magnussen is a Tony nominated actor who you know from "Game Night," "Into The Woods," "Ingrid Goes West," and "Maniac." On this episode, he talks about the foundational benefits of his early stint on a soap opera, the importance of showing up for your career, his fondness for Cristin Milioti, his co-star on the wonderful new HBO Max series "Made for Love" (with stories of pestering her mercilessly when they both performed on Broadway in theaters next door to each other), and he makes an impassioned plea for the celebration of NEW works in the theater. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Lily Rabe is probably best know for inhabiting a half-dozen characters over many seasons on Ryan Murphy's hugely popular "American Horror Story" series, and recently her supporting performance in "The Undoing" had a lot of people talking, but in New York City, she's theater royalty. I pinpoint my first encounter with her greatness. It was as Portia in "The Merchant of Venice" for Shakespeare in the Park. The court scene. She details the lengths director Daniel Sullivan went to avoid rehearsing that scene, and the miraculous occurrence when they finally did. She talks about being an "over-packer" when it comes to preparation. I ask if there's a healthy way to go to dark places and still be affective, and about working with amazing young actors on her addictive new thriller series "Tell Me Your Secrets" (now on Amazon Prime), plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

"Westworld" star Leonardo Nam didn't know that I saw him perform a scene in an acting class in New York City way back when. An inventiveness and creativity were on display there that I still see in his work. In this hour, he tells an amazing story of literally coming to a crossroad in his young life, and how he boldly chose what felt right, and turned toward the pursuit of acting. He talks about the importance of finding the "play" in every role, why the costuming days are his favorite in pre-production, and how meditation helps get him "back to one." Plus much more!

You're about to hear the name Julia Sarah Stone quite a bit. The young Canadian acting phenom is turning Hollywood heads with a focused talent and poise well beyond her years. Her latest movie, the unique sci-fi thriller "Come True," which has been wowing audiences at festivals, is opening Friday March 12th from IFC Midnight. In this episode, she talks about the "playable" characteristic that helped her performance in that film, the traps actors easily fall into when they lay in the emotion while losing sight of basic aspects such as motivation, and why she always wants to be a student of the craft, no matter where her career takes her. Plus much more! She's the kind of actor that will make you want to open Final Draft and finally start writing that script. Follow Back To One on Instagram

Since playing Lau in "The Dark Knight," Chin Han has been on a Hollywood run, acting in blockbuster action movies like "Ghost in a Shell," "Skyscraper," and "Captain American: Winter Soldier," as well as work on a less grand scale for Steven Soderbergh, Gus Van Sant, and the celebrated Netflix series "Marco Polo." Now he stars in the eagerly anticipated new "Mortal Kombat" movie as the shape-shifting villain Shang Tsung. I asked him how he dealt with the history, fan passion and anticipation for the character in his preparation and how it affected him during production. He talks about his interesting process of de-linking the text and deconstructing himself as a way of building the performance. And we discuss iconic lines and how to approach their delivery, plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

She's probably best known for her Emmy-Nominated performance as FBI secretary Martha Hanson on FX's critically acclaimed series "The Americans," and now Alison Wright has breathed life into another complex character in yet another hit series—Ruth Wardle on TNT's "Snowpiercer." In this hour, she gives us a peek under the hood of her craft and we get closer to understanding how she's able to bring such naturalism and depth to all her performances. She talks about her early fascination with "The Method" that led her to the Lee Strasberg Institute, her "thought-linked" approach to the text which she developed over the years (that just might be a big part of the secret to her greatness), and I ask her about taking the challenge of playing Emilia in "Othello" for the Public Theater's legendary Shakespeare in the Park, having never touched the Bard before, and possibly redefining and revolutionizing the role forever. Plus LOTS more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Olivia Cooke had no formal training and claims to have no real process. Is she just a natural? A freak of nature? How else to explain the incredible range and astounding talent of this rising star? I first took note of her work in the black comedy "Thoroughbreds," and then Steven Spielberg's "Ready Player One" and the British mini-series "Vanity Fair." She is on fire now with three new films, "Little Fish," "Pixie," and last year's "Sound of Metal." I ask her to break down one amazing scene in the latter, and she talks about the advantages of its immersive filming process. She explains the importance of not taking herself or the job too seriously, and why she once needed to punch a wall to make herself cry. Follow Back To One on Instagram

There are several moments in Delroy Lindo's performance as Paul in "Da 5 Bloods" where I believe the voiceless (Black solders who never came back from Vietnam?) speak through him. Sure that might be hooey, but the very idea that I believe it says something about his incredible work in Spike Lee's celebrated Netflix film. On this episode, I ask Lindo to break down the filming of the gripping monologue that is the centerpiece of that performance, and about his initial apprehension and ultimate acceptance of the MAGA aspect of Paul's character. He takes us back to his first formative experience on the stage, as Herald Loomis in "Joe Turner's Come and Gone," and tells a vexing story of the first time the word "Oscar" was being tossed around him. Plus lots more! Follow Back To One on Instagram

Christina Anthony plays Denise on the ABC series "Mixed-ish." She generously gives us a fascinating inside look at working on a sit-com from the point of view of an actor who is totally new to the process. She tells the story of sitting at a table read 90 minutes after being cast on the show following years of struggling through 100+ fruitless pilot auditions, talks about how her Chicago theater roots still pay dividends in her work, getting used to the idea of rotating directors, knowing when to speak up about issues with the script, and how she's ready to be your next action hero. Plus much more! Follow Back To One on Instagram