Peckham-Raised Actor Mark Ebulué Speaks On His Recent Films, Inspiration and Multi-faceted Career [Interview]

Photo by Chris Mann

Mark Ebulué is a versatile, classically trained theatre performer, voice and film actor with a long list of credits, such as his roles in Netflix's anime series Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix and DSS Agent James Dawson in the global live theatre production of Fast & Furious, which included a stop at London’s O2 Arena. 

The South-London-native has also performed in multiple Shakespeare plays such as Macbeth, Hamlet and Othello, putting his classical training and theatrical talents to great use. An astronaut named Gordon in the Sci-Fi Thriller Slingshot is Ebulué’s most recent work, starring alongside Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne.

Ebulué’s disciplines are not only limited to the stage, recording studio or big screen, as the actor is also a qualified bodyguard, medic, MMA Krav Maga Instructor, and received army cadet training in Naval school and college. 

Photo by Chris Mann

In an exclusive interview with New Wave Magazine, Ebulué discusses his upcoming feature film starring Scarlett Johansen, Northstar, how he began a career in acting, and how he juggles his double-life as an actor and his other impressive career pursuits. 

What initially inspired you to start a career in acting? 

You know, it was quite random. I used to see plays with my father when I was a kid. He used to take me to see Shakespeare plays. I had kind of done everything that I'd wanted to in my life up until that point, and I just kind of thought, well, you know what, let me just give acting a try. So initially, I kind of got into it late, but I did go through the traditional route of going to [Italia Conti]. The funny thing was, how I initially got into it was when I joined my naval school's drama club because I lost a football bet.

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You most recently played Gordon in the Sci-Fi, Psychological Thriller Slingshot. What did that role mean to you and how did it differ in intensity from previous roles? 

It's crazy because the themes of the film are so big and serious, but like, the set was just so calm. Honestly, the director [Mikael Håfström] was great. Casey [Affleck] was so relaxed and chill. 

It was a great experience. It was one of those jobs I wish I just had more to do because everybody was just so cool, and we all really just got on.

It was a really great set and I had a lot of fun on it. I've been doing acting for a while, but I just mainly did TV and theatre and a little bit of video games. So, to get my first movie under my belt, it was something I think that will live with me for a while. 

Are there any ways that you relate to Gordon personally? Were there any challenges you faced when trying to embody him? 

He’s actually quite funny, I'm quite funny. Well, maybe I’m not that funny, but I like to think I am. The writing was just so good, so I was able to really get a sense of who Gordon was, and just tap into that. He has a thing for food, he's always eating, I'm always eating, so there was that correlation too. 

The film has a few dark twists and turns. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but there are a lot of plot twists. I think the challenge when you are in a movie that is quite heavy and serious in certain themes, to come in and have a bit of a comedic role is kind of difficult because the film has its own DNA. I think that was the biggest challenge for me, but it was a joy.

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What would you say has been your most fulfilling role as an actor? 

It's a weird one, actually, because I don't have a most fulfilling role. There are roles that have given me moments that I occasionally go back to and think, oh, wow, that was amazing. When I did Fast and Furious live, I opened at the O2 in front of 15,000 people. And then, the first time my dad saw me on TV, which was in BBC’s Casualty, you know, that was actually a real moment for me as well.

How do your film and TV acting roles differentiate from your voice acting ones? 

It’s always different for me, whether it is stage, film or voiceovers, because the script is always different. My preparation relies heavily on scripts. There was a character [Marcus Holloway] for a Netflix animation called Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix.  I had to play this American character at two different stages of life, and they wanted me to display that in the audition. 

My preparation for playing that character heavily differed to Gordon, because Gordon doesn't go for any kind of time loops or jumps. For voice over roles they usually have a brief with character references, Marcus’ were the likes of Morgan Freeman and Idris Elba. I always reference the brief and do what the script is actually demanding of me, and bring some options to the director. 

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Once I found the voice of Marcus when he is the age of 50, which he is for 80% of the time in this version, it was more about finding out ways to sustain the voice, because I had to pitch it a lot lower than my normal register. 

What changes in the industry are you excited about that you’ve noticed as you've worked through different projects?

I would say streaming platforms like Netflix, when I left drama school 13 years ago platforms like that didn’t exist, and jobs were more slim. The way content is now as a medium is more readily accessible, and as a result there's more demand and opportunities for script writers, producers and actors. Also, now self-tape auditions are more popular, which most people hate, but I don’t mind them. 

Who were your inspirations, growing up and throughout your career?

When I do think of playing the super heroic dudes, I think of my dad. For the longest time that's who I kind of emulated, respected, and wanted to be. Both my mum and dad have always been that noble reference for me. Even if I feel like no ones rooting for me, there's two people I know that want me to cross that finish line, that for me is what pushes me to be the best I can be. 

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How do you balance your work as an actor with your work as a bodyguard? 

There's actually a lot of similarities I think. it's a transferable skill, I think as a bodyguard a lot of people think it's just about standing in front of bullets, right? And there's definitely an element to that, but you're also working with people and working in a team, and communication is very, very important. People have to like you, communication really is a big part of what we do. I also work as a medic too. 

If you could talk to yourself from 13 years ago when you finished drama school, what would you say to that version of yourself so far in your career?

Wow, that's a really good question, I would say to not be afraid to be authentic and to bring your experiences into the room. I think when people who do have dual lives, they have to kind of think, well, I need to be an actor now, and I need to kind of negate everything that happened before that which I kind of feel like is a disservice to yourself. The intricacies of your baggage make you the performer that you are. 

Do you have any upcoming projects that people should keep an eye out for? 

I think the next role would be a Kristen Scott Thomas film called Northstar, but I’m not sure of a release date just yet. and I will be in season 3 of Foundation, which is due to come out next year.