Words by Carol Wright | Photography by Justin Wu
We spoke with actor Anand Desai-Barochia about his role in The Outpost and future projects.
When did you become interested in acting?
I was 10 when I caught the acting bug. My primary (elementary) school teacher gave me the lead role in our graduating play. It was a cross between Phantom Of The Opera meets Rocky Horror meets Frankenstein. Growing up with the casual insecurity here and there, I was rather large. Some would say morbidly obese but who’s putting children in boxes… Imagine Phantom blown up by a tire inflator. That was me. I looked in the mirror, saw fat Phantom. It was love at first sight.
How did the opportunity to be in The Outpost come about?
In November of last year, Barbara Stordahl and Angela Terry brought me in for the role of Garret. I read the pilot and immediately fell in love with Janzo. I asked my reps if I could switch roles and casting graciously said yes. The initial audition went well and then I came back in to read for our showrunner, Jonathan Glassner. A short while later, I got “the call.”
What was your favorite part of shooting the first season of The Outpost?
The freedom to explore and experiment with the character. Janzo is definitely an interesting individual. Thanks to Dean (Devlin), Glassner, Marc Roskin and our directors, they allowed me to play. There’s nothing more an actor can ask for.
Who are some actors you hope to work with in the future?
I’d love to work with the folks I look up to. I tend to enjoy an actor’s commitment to character work. Eddie Redmayne is truly brilliant in any film I’ve seen him in. He transforms. Johnny Depp as Willy Wonka and Hilary Swank in Boys Don’t Cry. I’d love to share the screen with these guys just to watch and learn more than anything else.
Can you share anything about upcoming projects?
Yes! The Outpost has just started to roll out (stateside on The CW and globally on the SYFY channel). Aside from The Outpost, I’m supporting Matthew Modine in the upcoming crime drama Foster Boy, and share lead in Eli Roth’s next horror movie Lake Mead.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
I don’t wish this profession upon anyone apart from those who genuinely want it. (Not for the Instagram likes). If there is something else you like more than acting – DO THAT! This job isn’t for the faint of heart – to go through the amount of rejection day after day and sometimes year after year makes for a strong strong individual. That being said – if you keep at it, create your own work and remain focused, when it does happen… The reward is tenfold everything you went through to achieve it. I promise. Contact me on social media at any time to ask work-related questions. If we can’t help each other on the way up… you know how the rest of it goes.
You can contact Anand by following his social media: @ananddb