IN CONVERSATION WITH DAVID RYSDAHL
interview JANA LETONJA
David Rysdahl is a dynamic actor whose career spans television, blockbuster cinema, and independent film. He currently stars in Noah Hawley’s ‘Alien: Earth’, which debuted on 12th August on FX and Hulu in the US, and on Disney+ globally. Known for his standout turn as Wayne Lyon in FX’s ‘Fargo’, David will next lead the Blumhouse feature ‘Soultm8te’, a spin-off of the hit ‘M3GAN’ universe. His credits also include ‘Black Mirror’, ‘The Family’, ‘Nine Days’, and Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’. Beyond acting, David is a writer, producer, and passionate environmental advocate, with creative projects in development alongside his partner, Zazie Beetz.
‘Alien: Earth’ brings a beloved sci-fi universe to television. What first drew you to this project?
Noah Hawley. I’ll follow him anywhere.
Noah Hawley has a distinctive storytelling style. How did he shape the tone of ‘Alien: Earth’ on set?
Noah has this ability to get to the heart of these iconic movies. He examines how they made him feel when he first watched them and tries to replicate that feeling for the audience. Everyone working on ‘Alien: Earth’ was a huge fan of the movies. We felt indebted to the Xeno loving community and worked to respect the lore while pushing it in a fresh direction. We were constantly referencing those first couple movies, stealing as much as we could from acting style, to set decoration, to wardrobe, to hair and make up. Personally, Arthur got his shirt inspiration from Harry Dean Stanton and his beard from Tom Skerrit.
Sci-fi often reflects real-world anxieties. What do you think ‘Alien: Earth’ is saying about the present moment?
‘Alien: Earth’ might be the most relevant show I’ve ever been a part of. Our society is dealing with severe inequality. We have billionaires trying to live forever and corporations blinded by greed and fear. The climate crisis is making us face our toxic relationships to the other species on our planet. And we are on the cusp of what some believe will be a transhumanist future. I love that the show grapples with all these themes without giving easy answers. And selfishly, I love that I could put all of my own personal anxieties about the future into the character of Arthur. It was a nice release.
Next up, you’re set to lead ‘Soultm8te’, a spin-off in the ‘M3GAN’ universe. How does working in horror compare to sci-fi?
Both projects examine humanity’s relationship to AI, to tech and the internet. ‘Alien: Earth’ examines it through an ethical lens, creating a dark allegory about the dangers of corporate greed and selfish ambition. ‘Soulm8te’ is a more personal story dealing with addiction, intimacy and relationships in the age of AI.
What can you tease about this project? What can the fans of ‘M3GAN’ expect?
‘Soulm8te’ is a mature take on intimacy and addiction in the internet age. Humans are already having relationships with AI, and this story takes that reality a step forward. The movie is also really absurd and fun in the same way that ‘Alien: Earth’ is absurd and fun. You need a little sugar to help the medicine go down.
You and Zazie Beetz are developing projects together. What are you looking for in the projects you want to bring to life?
As actors, we are drawn to complicated characters. People who transcend the easy moral judgement of “good or bad”. And we are drawn to creators who build worlds, specific lenses that feel fresh. There’s that saying that every story has been told, just not by you. We love scripts that feel like they are extensions of the writer. No one else could have written it.
How has living in New York shaped you as an artist?
I grew up in a small town and though I love the town I grew up in, I craved the anonymity that New York City gave. In NYC no one cares what you do or what you wear, as long as you stay out of their way. I loved this freedom, especially as a fresh 22 year old trying to figure out who the hell I was.
You’re passionate about the environment. How do you bring that commitment into your work and platform?
I don’t know how you can tell stories about today and not talk about the climate crisis. Our relationship to nature is a reflection on how we see ourselves and our place within nature. And the relationship that currently exists is toxic and will lead to our destruction. In many ways, I think ‘Alien: Earth’ is an examination of this relationship. I want to add that I always feel a little strange taking the spotlight on climate when there are so many scientists, activists and community leaders doing the work. I love shining the light on people like Dr. Ayana Johnson from Urban Ocean Lab, and groups like 350.org who are filled with everyday people combating the climate crisis through local politics.
How do you balance working in such intense genres with personal downtime?
I have a bit of an addictive personality and I’ve been known to obsess about work. I used to place a lot of my self-worth on success, but this industry has a way of humbling you, a way of forcing you to face your demons. My community of friends and family, especially Zazie, have helped me see there’s a lot more to this precious life than an acting role.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through acting?
Acting means being told “no” 95% of the time. Rejection used to be very difficult, but through years and years of practice I’ve gotten much better at not taking it personally. I’ve gotten a lot better at being grateful for the life I have.
CREDITS
photography TOMMY KHA
