Michael Malarkey is an english actor and singer, he’s 33 years old, the people know him for your character
Enzo in the tvshow
“The Vampire Diaries”, and also for your EP’s
“Feed The Flames” and
“Knots”.
We interviewed Michael and talked with him about your character in “The
Vampire Diaries”, the end of the serie, new music, Brazil, the
brazilian fans and more!
Check out the full interview:
1. What’s your favorite thing about being a part of “The
Vampire Diaries”? Is there any similarities between you and Enzo?
How would you define your relationship with the cast?
We are both intensely loyal to our friends although he’s much more
tortured than I am. I am more light-hearted and probably have more of a
sense of humour about things than he does… though I also have a penchant
for darkness and we’re both quick with a snarky remark.
My relationship with the cast is that of very close friends as I’ve been
spending time a hell of a lot of time with them in and out of season –
we are often on the road doing conventions together. It’s still baffling
to me that I’ve been here since season 5 and we are now beginning
season 8!
2. How do you think a character can be so loved and hated at the same time?
It’s anti-hero syndrome. Everyone “loved” watching the great
Shakespearean anti-hero’s – such as Richard III – and often found that
they were rooting for them. There is a darkness inherent in all of human
nature and perhaps an obsession with the “bad boys” is being able to
live that darkness out vicariously through them.
3. When the series come to an end, who and what will you miss the most about it?
It’s always rare in this industry to have a regular job and this has
allowed me to settle in one place for several years which has been a
relief after moving at least once a year for a decade, no joke. But most
of all I’ll miss the people. This cast, crew and team are some of the
most caring, charming (and crazy) people I’ve had the pleasure to work
with and though I know we will keep in touch and meet up when we’re in
the same city, I’ll miss the regularity of seeing them day in and day
out. They’re gems.
4. Of all the characters you have ever played, who’s your
favorite? And if you could play any character made by yourself, what
would he/it be like?
Jay Gatsby was a thrilling part to play. I did so much research on
that time period and gangsters and bootlegging and created an entire
backstory and yet kept those cards tight to my chest. It makes a
character that much more enigmatic and interesting for the audience to
watch and reminded me how important it is to do all of that drama-school
work behind the scenes and not just rely on what’s on the page. I had
also just come from playing in a 1,000 seat auditorium to more of a
400-seater for Gatsby, so was able to simplify and soften my choices
which was a nice segway into focusing more on television later in the
year.
5. What does music represents to you? How do you conciliate
your acting career with your musical one? Do you have any new songs
coming up?
Music is my life. If I didn’t have anything else to do I would
literally sit around drinking coffee and writing and listening to music
ALL DAY. Music is the filter through which I see the world. I hear the
‘music’ in everyday life, in relationships, in nature, in language. It’s
just how my brain works; it taps into those frequencies. That may sound
pretentious, but other musicians will know exactly what I’m talking
about.
As I write all of my own music and lyrics, much of the creation of music
can be done alone in a room. When I get the idea for a song, I’ll
finish it in a few hours. When I pin down that ever-elusive muse we work
fast and have fun racing down the rabbit-hole to the birth of a song. I
love writing more than any other aspect of it. Everything else
disappears when I’m in that headspace, for better or worse!
As far as new music goes, I’m about to go into the studio in the next
month or two to begin working on my first full length which I am
extremely excited about. Seeing the success of my first two EP’s,
Feed The Flames and
Knots,
has been amazing, but even if no one had given a shit about them I’d
still be making more music. I don’t have a choice in the matter. I’ve
written so many songs over the years and have had to trim down about 75
new songs and old favourites to a longlist of 25 and now to a shortlist
of 16. I’m very happy with the choices and can’t wait to start getting
the right musicians together and start recording them. I’m planning on
dropping the album in the summer of 2017.
6. Is there any movie or series you would like to be a part
of? What actors/actresses you would love to work with? And who would you
like to colab with in a song?
Mr. Robot is awesome. I love House of Cards. I love that twisted,
thriller, conspiracy stuff. I was down to the last two for a role in
Game of Thrones which I’d still love to find a place on if the character
is right. Although, after doing a network sci-fi show, I’d love to do a
180 and work on something much more naturalistic and gritty.
There are so many actors I’d love to work with, but if I had to pick
one it would be Mark Strong, just because I’m a huge fan. If you’ve
never seen his work on BBC’s The Long Firm you must watch it. As far as
actresses go, I’d love to work with Olivia Coleman – she’s always
amazing, but was particulary blown away by the layers of her performance
in Broadchurch. Working with great actors makes you better.
7. What are your favorite actors, movie, series, books and musicians?
How long have you got? I could spend hours answering this question. I
love Paul Newman for the intensity of his inner life, I love Jeff
Goldblum for his spontaneity and groove, I have a mancrush on Billy
Crudup. However, the reason I initially wanted to train as an actor in
the UK was because I was obsessed with British drama. I would
obsessively watch actors such as Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman & Ralph
Fiennes. I was also hugely inspired by the subtle intensity of Pacino
and De Niro in Godfather I & II, I’d watch their choices, Pacino
especially, over and over again – when I was contemplating going to
drama school.
My favourite film is Withnail & I. I watch it at least
biannually. Love a buddy film. My favourite wild card film is Wonder
Boys which is like putting on a favourite record when I watch it; I know
almost every line. There is also a filmed version of Samuel Beckett’s
Waiting For Godot with Irish actors Barry McGovern & Johnny Murphy
that is in my opinion a flawless production of one of my favourite
plays.
Favourite series has to be The Sopranos. It was my first
binge-watching series and Gandolfini’s choices are so complex and
inspiring. I loved Mad Men too. I’m a sucker for that kind of role. As
far as English stuff goes, This Is England blew my mind. Huge fan of
Shane Meadows.
Musicians is where I could go ballistic as I love music in almost
every genre. I suppose right now as I am moving towards recording, I
tend to listen to music of similar calibre and pick apart what’s going
on in the songs for extra in-studio inspiration. So, right now I’m
rotating a lot of Lambchop, Bill Callahan, Mark Kozelek, Bright Eyes and
The National….that should give you a hint as to the direction of the
album.
8. Do you remember the first time a fan someone recognized
you? How did you feel about it? How is your relationship with your fans?
The first time was actually on the London Underground when someone
recognised me from a play. I remember thinking it was so random. I was
working at The National Theatre at the time and it was my first big
break so I literally felt like a nobody. Upon retrospect, I always
struggled with intense self-doubt around that time and hearing a
strangers appreciation of my work was actually quite needed.
I feel like I have a great relationship with my fans. I used to be a
lot more in touch on social media, but I found that the responsibility
had begun to overtake my life a bit too much for comfort and as much as I
still keep in touch and respond to comments from time to time, I just
don’t have the time to read all of them and stay connected like I used
to be able to. However, it’s almost become our responsibility as artists
to do a lot of the legwork ourselves on social media which is
contradictory to art as it requires a business mind, in a sense. That’s
why I prefer apps like Instagram that incorporate imagery and an
artistic sensibility.
I love meeting the fans at conventions and gigs and giving something
back to the people that have given so much to me. I am truly humbled by
the relentless and unconditional support that I’ve received through
working on The Vampire Diaries especially. It’s also just nice to hear
the fans perspectives about the show and my character and there have
even been an instance or two when a fans insight has affected my
choices!
9. Do you know something about Brazilian music? Have you ever thought about doing a concert in Brazil? Your fans would love it!
Brazil is at the top of my list of places to play. I genuinely cannot
wait to do a set of shows down there once all my ducks are in a row.
There’s an intensity of support for music in Brazil that I feel to be
unrivalled and I have recently found out through social media insights
that a huge percentage of my fanbase is in Brazil. I look forward to
seeing you all soon!
10. How was your trip to Brazil? What do you think of the Brazilian people?
I love the Brazilian people and the food of course. The trip was very
much a whirlwind though, so I would love to come down there for a
mini-tour and spend some proper time getting to know the culture.
11. What are your future projects?
As I said, I’m about to start work on my first full-length album. I
plan on touring for the album and playing some festivals and generally
pursuing the music further, but in the meantime I will be auditioning
again for TV and Film. I’d love to return to the London Stage at some
point, but right now the plan is to focus mainly on the screen. I also
have some ideas of my own for some series which I’d like to flesh out if
I ever have any time!
12. What are your biggest dreams, personally and professionally? Where would you like to be in five years?
To be honest, I don’t think that far ahead. I feel like sometimes
having those kind of goals can help drive you, but for me it’s the wrong
kind of drive. Sometimes it is more in line with human nature to focus
solely on being in the moment and working as hard as you can on whatever
you’re doing at any given time…even if that means being someones
assistant or even a waiter. Love what you are doing, whatever you are
doing and then in 5 years time you’ll still fucking love what you’re
doing! I think that’s the secret to success….it lies in the moment. That
being said, my personal goal is fairly loose, to be able to support
myself and my family while doing the things I love the most. The one
concrete goal that I will admit to having is that I’d love to do is a
world tour with my music when the iron is hot.
13. If you could give any advice to someone who wants to be
an actor or a singer, what would it be? And what message do you want to
send to your fans?
Cultivate your inner life as a human being. Work on YOU and not just
your craft, although that is incredibly important too. I have three
rules in this business 1) be professional, proactive and deliver the
goods – there are many aspects to this rule 2) don’t be a dick – which
includes gossiping 3) HAVE FUN. So many actors are scared and
intimidated by the industry. Well guess what, when you break it all down
the industry is imaginary – it only exists because of the sum of its
parts. It will be what you make it. BE the industry and empower yourself
while at the same time being empathetic to everyone no matter what job
they have or where their path is currently taking them. You are no
better or worse than anyone else and you can always walk down a
different path. If you follow those three rules and you are naturally
gifted then I assure you, you will always be recommended for jobs by
people you have worked with before…..and I hate to break it to you, but
that’s how it works a lot of the time. And let me reiterate this: never,
ever talk shit. You’ll get it on your face.
Find Michael:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mkmalarkey
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkmalarkey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mkmalarkey/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZiMotBqM8DPUXLYinVadXA/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/michaelmalarkey
As
the season 8 of The Vampire Diaries will be the last of the show,
Michael Malarkey took advantage of his visit to Comic-Con in San Diego
teaser for the next episode!
