Lewis Reeves

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With a slew of performances in some of the most critically acclaimed projects over the past decade, Lewis Reeves is still pinching himself to make sure this isn’t all a dream.

Not many actors have had the variety of performances that Lewis Reeves has, but it speaks to his deft and meticulous approach to every role he tackles. Whether it’s DC Jake Collier in Unforgotten or David in I May Destroy You, Reeves brings a dynamic touch that elevates the characters and projects he’s involved in. Now he’s gearing up to play The Boogieman in Netflix’s critically acclaimed show The Sandman.

In conversation with 1883 Magazine, Lewis Reeves discusses joining the Neil Gaiman project, working with Boyd Holbrook, what he’s manifesting for himself this year, and more.

2022 marks 10 years in the business for you! How would you say you’ve grown and developed as an actor between then and now?

Getting my first TV job was magical. All those years of studying and me— Lewis—was going to be on a TV show. I was over the moon and very grateful for the opportunity. Our Boys was also so magical to see my name in the west end…I had to pinch myself at times but it came with a massive learning curve for me in so many great ways. I learnt a lot from the team around me in terms of my performance and working on my craft. I also learnt a lot about the industry and how to perhaps curb expectations, humble myself and always remain professional. The show was a great success and the show caused great attraction because it’s a brilliant show by Jonathan Lewis but also because some of the lads’ fame from other projects brought in the crowds. We had Mathew Lewis from Harry Potter and Arthur Darvill from Doctor Who. 2 incredibly big and loyal fan bases plus David Grindley directing meant we had a good pull. At stage door sometimes it was like we were the Beatles with how packed it was, signing autographs and taking pictures I think in my naive young mind I thought “well this is great, I’ve gone straight from drama school to a tv job to a west end show, I guess…next stop Hollywood!”…this was very much not the case.

2 months after this brilliant show had finished with all its glowing reviews and hype I was selling ice creams opposite the theatre where my face and name had been plastered above it. It was tough to take but a great lesson as it kept me sharp, hungry and ready for my next opportunity. I’ve never forgotten that humbling lesson and I keep it with me when things are going well so I stay grounded but equally when they’re not going my way as well. I know if I keep focused and do the work I won’t be selling ice creams for too long. So painful though when you’re asking a person what flavour of ice cream they want and someone goes “wait aren’t you that guy from that show? What are you doing here?!” Ouch! It’s humbling but ouch!

You studied at the Royal Welsh School of Music and Drama. Why was it important for you to get the fundamentals of acting rather than just taking a few acting classes and trying your luck?

Everyone’s process is so different and there is no right way into the industry but for me drama school was brilliant. I entered a pretender. I had my all blacks my Stanislavsky quotes at the ready I thought I had the game locked down. I was gonna be the Deniro from Doncaster. I got torn apart time and time again not in a bad degrading way but they just weren’t buying what I was selling and if honest I wasn’t either. The school and head of acting at the time used to crack on about finding that spark that is you and bringing that to the character it took me about a year and a half but I found it and it was incredibly liberating and exciting. I accepted who I was I guess and how the world sees me. When you know that you can build and absorb people’s energies in a way that when performing people believe it. It’s not for everyone but I’m very grateful to the Royal Welsh for my time there and in particular Dave Bond my head of acting. A very cool guy.

What I love most about your work is that every project you pick is different than the last. Have you always prided yourself on shapeshifting into new ‘types’ of characters with every new project? Is it something you’ve always aimed to do?

I just take what I’m given if I am honest. I just feel grateful for the job that’s fallen my way and I chuck myself into it and leave nothing in the rehearsal room. I’m bold and if that boldness turns out to be dog shit well at least I was bold with my choice and if it pays off then wicked I’m chuffed. I think what helps is that my profile isn’t massive so people don’t know me. I’ll get oh you’re that dude from that thing init? I love that. If I can sustain that, I’ll be happy.

Let’s chat about The Sandman. What can you tell us about the project and your character?

The Sandman is bonkers! Neil Gaiman is a genius in my eyes the team has done a fantastic job! I play a character called Phillip Sitz who is impersonating a cereal killer at a serial killer convention. A risky game to play and it’s probably not going to end well for Phillip. It was so ace to be in a show with so many incredible artists and I loved having most of my stuff shot with Boyd Holbrook as I think he’s incredible in his work and just a top guy to the spa with. Very kind and generous. Plus I loved Narcos so I fangirled him.

Were you familiar with the book prior?

No, I wasn’t but I’m aware of Neil and his work. A friend of mine bought me the comics as a gift and I was blown away by them. How did someone fathom this? I thought. I was also so relieved with it being so vast that they decided to make it a TV show and not a film. As there’s so much to explore.

Was there anything you did to prepare for your character?

Nothing out of the ordinary I just go over it as much as I can stomach it, especially when it’s an American accent. I Get it in my bones and just play and have fun when on set and see what the director likes. The greatest hurdle was that I had full-blown influenza when shooting and we were in the middle of the pandemic so I was freaking everybody out. Haha. We shot in this quite awful hotel in Heathrow though it looks on camera to be very nice. I’d spend the night having baths and taking as many supplements as I could to fight this Illness then I’d wrap myself in towels clean myself up and wait for as long as I could in my room before they wanted me on set. I’d then head shivering to set a huge sweaty cold coughing mess and then boom action. Doctor theatre would get me through then I’d pretty much collapse in a corner until they needed me again. I can remember being half high on the meds in and out of a nap and falling asleep in a chair where Stephen fry was being so lovely and talking to me to take my mind off of things. It wasn’t until he left that I realised I had snot down my chin. It’s the glamour of my work that keeps me going.

Out of all the characters you’ve played — from I May Destroy You to The Midwich Cuckoos to everything in between — what piece of advice would you give them?

Well, a lot of my characters are pretty troubled people so I’d either avoid them like the plague or possibly very politely suggest that they get therapy.

Your directorial debut Harry The Hamster premiered earlier this Spring. What was it like developing the project? What was it like being on the other side of the camera — was there anything that you found challenging that you weren’t expecting?

Well after SHOWTIME acquired a film of mine called Lola it gave me a great sense of confidence to make more. I’ve written and produced and those films have done well in their own right. So why not give directing a go too? I love independent film, it’s an absolute hustle and grind, the days are long and generally, there is bugger all money but putting out your art is just incredible. People get to see through your myopic lens and how you take in the world and that’s just pretty cool to me. The whole process of taking something that’s in your head and sharing it with incredibly talented people like DOPs, animators, editors, producers etc is at times incredibly painful but so rewarding when you see what they have produced but that they’ve also added new life they’ve to your story with their take on it, I find that pretty electric.

Lastly, if you could manifest something for yourself this year what would it be?

If I could manifest something I guess it would be that more work comes closer to home. I have a beautiful wife and two beyond-amazing daughters who are 3 years and 5 months old. My life is with them, especially at this moment as they are so young and I don’t want to miss them. And if the work is further a field that they can come with me. Like a job in the new lord of the rings in New Zealand would be insane and an amazing adventure for us all!…so nothing much but if I could manifest a job in the gargantuan world of Peter Jackson and J. R. R. Tolkien then that would be lovely.