English actor Freddy Carter consistently leaves quite an impression — on screen and off. Strikingly handsome with enviable bone structure Freddy immediately captures attention. But beneath that chiseled facade is a consummate actor who dives deep into character work and carries each role he plays with an effortlessness that is enviable. Most recently this skill set can be seen in the Netflix series “Shadow and Bone,” where he plays Kaz Brekker, the leader of the Dregs, a prominent gang in the city of Ketterdam.

Freddy’s impeccable dedication to his performances is also evident in the Epix DC Comic series “Pennyworth,” where he played the character Jason Ripper and it’s an indication of his talent level that producers Steven Speilberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman tapped him for their upcoming Apple Studios project called “Masters of the Air”.  When he is not practicing his craft Freddy is exploring other creative outlets like photography. And he has also started to step behind the camera, directing short films. With Netflix’s recent announcement of a second season of “Shadow and Bone,” Freddy talks with ODDA about his intense portrayal of Kaz, other layered roles he has played and the art that is at the heart of it all.

CHARLENE FRETT: Can you tell me a little bit about your childhood? Because your older brother, Tom Austen, is an actor as well, is it safe to say that acting runs in the family?
FREDDY CARTER: I don’t think so. I think Tom and I are the black sheep really because no one else in my family is in the arts or sort of performers in any way, apart from my dad who is just a very good storyteller. He loves gathering people and telling them one of his many stories. So I think we probably get it from him.

C.F. You went to Queen’s College in Taunton and graduated at Oxford School of Drama in 2015. Is it true that acting is all you ever wanted to do growing up?
F.C. Apart from playing rugby and cricket for England, yeah, it’s all I ever wanted to do really. I think I briefly wanted to be a policeman but it had too many rules so I became an actor, there were no rules.

C.F. Let’s talk about some of your acting roles. You played Jason Ripper in the Epix DC Comic series “Pennyworth” as well as Tom in the Channel 5 series “15 Days.” Both of these characters you portray, at least from what I can see, are quite intense, daunting even, similar to your recent portrayal of Kaz Brekker in “Shadow and Bone.” Have you used your previous experiences in playing Jason Ripper and Tom to possibly shape the character of Kaz? Do you find yourself drawn to these types of intense and intimidating characters?
F.C. I’m definitely drawn to them but I also think I have a face for them (laughs). I have a sort of resting, intense face that sort of lends itself to those people who are going through it or for those intense, dark characters. For me, they’re all very different because the source material for each of them is very different. And with Kaz, there is so much to get into in the books that it doesn’t really feel like they influence each other. Although, watching them back, there’s definitely something about these dark guys (laughs).

C.F. Speaking of Kaz Brekker, your presence and portrayal of him is quite amazing; the look, the eyes, the jawline, and even your mannerisms in the show are quite similar to the character’s description in the book. The stark and intense demeanor you have as Kaz creates a very impressive introduction in the first episode and even throughout the series. What are some things that get you into that zone or space as Kaz Brekker? Do you stay in that character continuously on set or is it easy for you to bounce out of Kaz once the camera stops rolling?
F.C. I was always quite eager to bounce out of it, because it’s such a…somber, dark place to be. So it’s not very helpful to be in a work environment in that place [inside the character] — unless you’re a gang leader like he is. So I would always try to bounce out of it. I use music quite a lot, I have quite an extensive playlist that I would listen to as I was learning lines or rehearsing just in my flat. I would spend a lot of time listening to that music and that was really helpful.

C.F. Do you relate to Kaz in any way, whether that is his thought process or the internal conflict he has with himself sometimes? Or is there any character in “Shadow and Bone” that you do relate to or understand more?
F.C. We are very different in loads of ways. The resonance isn’t ready to descend with me necessarily like it is with Kaz. I suppose the thing with him for me is his loyalty and how important loyalty is for him. He builds this little family around himself and expects loyalty from them and gives it back to them. I think yeah, we are pretty similar in that retrospect.

C.F. In regards to all the roles you have played, including Pin in Netflix Original series “Free Rein,” what are some things that you learned (whether that’s from the characters or the experience) that you can’t help but take with you as you continue to advance in your career?
F.C. Ooh, that’s a good question. I think something that a lot of the characters I’ve been lucky enough to play have in common is not knowing where they fit in, either being outsiders or putting themselves on the outside and deathly looking for their place in society, in a group or in a workplace, whatever it may be. They are always looking for where they fit. So I think that forced me to explore that myself and where do I fit and where do I want to fit in the world. And I’m not saying I’ve figured it out, but it’s been interesting to think about that.

C.F. Switching a bit of gears here, you also have a love for photography. I especially love the ones you take of not only yourself or when you travel, but of Caroline Ford and some of the cast of “Shadow and Bone,” including Jessie Mei Li and Kit Young as well. How did you become interested in photography?
F.C. It started on film sets because there’s just so much waiting around, and I thought, you know, you are in a place where there’s normally quite a lot of photogenic people, wearing interesting things, in a beautiful place, with lots of nice lighting so…(laughs). It’s kind of all set up ready for you to go and there’s so much time and actors are normally pretty good about you dragging them into the sun and taking photos. So it started as that and it sort of grew into something that I became more interested in and I wanted to learn about the history of it all and the science behind film photography. It’s really fascinating.

C.F. Do you aspire to become a professional photographer as well or is it more of a hobby for you?
F.C. I never plan to be a professional photographer! (laughs) It’s very much a hobby for me. It’s nice to have a creative outlook that isn’t also paying my wage. It’s nice to have something that I have autonomy over and I just take photos of what I want and when I want. That’s what I like about it so much.

C.F. I have to say, I love the short film you wrote and directed called “No. 89.” When she said “Why don’t we sit down” with that tone and she had that look, I couldn’t help but laugh and say to myself “oh, the irony!” What inspired you to write and direct this film?
F.C. It came from a conversation with a friend about breakups and how shitty they are basically for everyone involved. And it then got us both thinking about who might enjoy breaking up with people and how they might monetize that and it was just a silly concept that turned into this film.

C.F. Are there any particular actors or idols that inspire you? Who would you love to work with in the future?
F.C. I mean…the list is probably too long. I’m always really impressed by actors who jump behind the camera and direct. That’s what I would like to do in the future. People like Greta Gerwig, Emerald Fennell…there’s a guy called Jim Cummings who makes his own independent films, narratives. So I think that’s really impressive, when people are on both sides of the camera.

C.F. Currently, you are filming Apple Studios’ “Masters of Air,” produced by Steven Speilberg, Tom Hanks, and Gary Goetzman. Can you possibly talk a little bit more about this series and the role you will portray?
F.C. I’m not allowed to say too much but all I can say is that yeah, it’s made by the same team who made “Band of Brothers” and “The Pacific” so it’s got an incredible pedigree; same writers, executive producers, and all of that. And I grew up watching those shows so it does feel like a little bit of a dream come true to be working with them.

C.F. What advice can you give to up and coming young actors such as yourself who not only have a passion for acting, but desire to become successful in the industry as well?
F.C. I…I don’t know if I’m the best person to answer, because everyone’s journey into it is totally different and their experience with it is totally different. I think the thing that I was told quite early on and didn’t listen to was to embrace your mistakes and not worry too much about getting things “right” all the time, just do things the way you want to do them because nobody else can do them in the way that you can.

C.F. Okay, now let’s get to the most important question of the interview. Did you take up anything new and exciting during quarantine? Binge watched any shows? Gained any possible useful skills?
F.C. Well photography became my proper creative outlook because I wasn’t able to act or direct. And you know, I was writing a little bit but photography became my main one. So I learned how to develop my own film during photography and that was pretty fun.