IN CONVERSATION WITH DINO FETSCHER
interview by JANA LETONJA
Dino Fetscher is a dynamic Welsh actor whose career spans acclaimed work across television, film, and stage. The latest chapter marks his biggest moment yet: this winter, he stars in the West End transfer of Cole Escola’s Broadway sensation Oh, Mary! at the Trafalgar Theatre, and he is currently appearing as a series regular in Sky’s gripping new crime thriller Under Salt Marsh. An Olivier-nominated performer and passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ representation, Dino brings depth, wit, and emotional fearlessness to every role he inhabits.
top BIANCA SAUNDER
trousers HRRNN
shoes JIMMY CHOO
bracelet SLJ
Oh, Mary! took Broadway by storm. What excited you most about joining its West End transfer?
Getting to do something so unapologetically and brilliantly ridiculous was the biggest draw. I’ve come so close to a lot of big roles in comedy, so it’s something I’ve been itching to do. When Oh, Mary! came along, as soon as I heard about the play, before I’d even read it, I had this feeling that it had to happen, it was kind of cosmic. Taking audiences on this absurd ride is the greatest thrill and the most fun I’ve ever had on stage.
Cole Escola’s reimagining of Mary Todd Lincoln is wickedly dark and wildly funny. How would you describe the tone from inside the production?
It’s a tricky one to describe as I truly believe a lot of the play’s success lies in its uniqueness. It is a rambunctious, relentless, ridiculous comedy. Incredibly camp, twisted and very clever with big heart. The play is a love letter to theatre. I would say it is both utterly absurd and incredibly earnest.
The play blends camp, history, and chaos. How do you prepare for a performance that demands so much tonal agility?
With great guidance from the wonderful captain of our ship, Sam Pinkleton, our director and living playwright, Cole Escola. Although the play is undeniably an out and out comedy, every single character is genuinely trying to achieve something, their motivations are firmly rooted in truth. My character doesn’t think he’s in a comedy, he believes everything he does. Finding that level of commitment amidst the absurdity and intense physical nature of the show was key for me.
You’ve worked on powerful dramas like ‘The Normal Heart’. How does the comedic engine of Oh, Mary! invigorate you as an actor?
In many ways it invigorates me in the same way as ‘The Normal Heart’ did. Both shows take audiences on one hell of a ride, transport them, change them. With Oh, Mary! specifically, so much of joy of the play lives in the surprising twists and turns of the story. Hearing our audiences literally gasp and howl as things unfold is indescribable. It’s something I don’t think I will ever get bored of and will never forget.
Another upcoming project of yours, Under Salt Marsh is already being called one of Sky’s biggest dramas of 2025. What drew you to this story?
It being a Welsh show before anything else. It’s the first time in my whole career that I’ve had the opportunity to film in my own country, that in itself was exciting. I also loved the script. It’s an intense character, relationship driven crime thriller, set against a stunning Welsh backdrop, and Claire’s writing is excellent. After I met her and we discussed the role, I knew I wanted to come aboard and work with her and Mary Nighy on the project.
The series explores grief, secrets, and the darkness beneath a tight-knit community. What can you share about your character’s place in that world?
I play Gareth Morgan, an ecologist, relocated from South Wales to the island in the north of Wales. He’s a bit of a lone wolf, an outsider. The series’ events unfold in the shadow of a fast approaching once in a generation storm. I’m there, employed by the council, to offer professional advice on how to best keep everyone and the fragile ecosystem of the salt-marsh safe. But things go awry when a familiar face, Detective Eric Bull, arrives a to investigate the second disappearing of a child in the last few years. Gareth is the voice of sanity and reason in the show, he is a light in the dark and a big part of the show’s beating heart.
How was the experience of filming in a fictional Welsh coastal setting, especially as a proud Welshman yourself?
Utterly delightful. When your film set is the verdant rolling hills of North Wales, it almost makes you forget about all of the icy rain and wind machines, of which there were a lot. I spent most days of the job soaked through, screaming into fans the size of a small elephant, but luckily, I love all the pyrotechnics. Working with a predominantly Welsh cast and crew was magic. Welsh people are a special breed. I hope to be filming back in Cymru again soon.
Is there a role in your career that fundamentally changed you, professionally or personally?
I would say playing Felix Turner in The Normal Heart was a huge personal and professional shift for me. Beyond telling such a seminal piece of queer history on the biggest stage at our national theatre, and being nominated for an Olivier, delving into Felix really changed me. Immersing myself into that world of the early 80s in New York, of everything that happened, of what we went through as a community gave me such a profound awareness for the liberties that we have today. We truly stand on the shoulders of giants. It’s the proudest I have ever been, doing that play.
Looking back on your career so far, what’s one role or project that surprised you - either in how it challenged you or how it changed your perspective?
Definitely playing Stanley in ‘Humans’. Having to get into the psychology of a humanoid robot was immense fun and a huge challenge. I was met with so many limitations playing a robot - facial expressions, physical movement, vocal choices. It was initially very intimidating, but soon became one of my all-time favourite jobs to date. It taught me so much about my craft and was some of the most fun I’ve ever had in front of a camera. I was so heartbroken when we didn’t do another series.
What kind of character or genre would you love to tackle next that you haven’t yet explored?
I’ve been stepping into film more and more as of late and am loving it. I have done a few films lately, Control by Robert Schwentke with James MacAvoy and Julianne Moore, and Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die by Gore Verbinski with Sam Rockwell and Juno Temple, which opens in cinemas in February. Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die is a high-octane, dark comedy, action movie about AI. I’m a huge fan of both directors, so it was very exciting to work with both of them. I’m very fortunate in that I have explored most genres in my career, but I am yet to do a horror. I’d love to work with Ari Aster one day, I’m a big fan. I’ve also got my eyes peeled for something in a lovely indie film. It’s up there with horror as one of my favourite genres. Something with the likes of Andrea Arnold, Lukas Dhont and Sam H Freeman and Ng Choon Ping, who made Femme, would be a dream.
What’s currently inspiring you outside of acting: books, art, music, or rituals that keep you grounded?
At the moment, I’m really enjoying classical and Celtic music and have been learning some beautiful pieces on the piano. I’ve also started exploring calligraphy, which has been so much fun. I love writing letters and have a typewriter, but I also want to write by hand. Sadly my handwriting is currently more like an 8-year-olds, so calligraphy is my way of sprucing it up. I’ve also been learning BSL (British Sign Language) for a while, though I fell off the wagon during the play. Now that I’m back in more of a routine, I’m excited to get back into it. I really love it.
TEAM CREDITS:
photography DAVID REISS
styling STEVEN HUANG
hair and makeup TERRI CAPON
interview JANA LETONJA
