j“This is a story about young people who’ve been overlooked and never had the chance to
show people what they can do, having all this talent and all this power.”
If you haven’t watched Shadow and Bone yet, where have you been? Since debuting on Netflix
in April, the fantasy series has already taken the world by storm.
Based on the novels by the Israeli-American author Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone is a
show where prophecies speak of a chosen hero, and magical soldiers can stop hearts, summon
darkness, and bend the elements to their whims. What makes this show truly stand apart from
the rest is the sheer amount of representation. It features the LGBTQ+ characters, the drag
community, and the strong female protagonists. In today’s video, we will concentrate on
the diverse main cast that brings all the beautiful characters to life and helps viewers
feel actually represented on screen. From the relative newcomers to a fan-casting
come to life. Which one of the actors was a teacher before the big break, and who grew
up with the vampire slayer herself? We’ve got all the details for you, so don’t forget
to subscribe and click that notification bell for more stories that will fire up your heart!
Ben Barnes as the Darkling: Fan-casting for the ages
He stole our hearts back in 2008 as Prince Caspian
and seduced us alongside Colin Firth in Dorian Gray a year later. Then came a myriad of indie
films and tv productions, including Westworld, the Punisher and Gold Digger. And while the
actor seems to be a cinnamon roll and utter delight in real life, Ben isn’t afraid to
make himself Master of the Morally Grey in acting, hence being perfect for the role.
Fans were already dream-casting him as far back as 2013. As one Twitter user put it,
“god made men and sent us Ben Barnes as an apology.”
While the rest of the cast is relatively unknown, the executive producer Eric Heisserer understood
that the Darkling needed to be played by an actor who could bring a sense of history and
authority to the role while also being a viable romantic interest for the lead and a mentor
to the younger cast. Ben Barnes was the one. “If you get someone that carries themselves
with respect and has that kind of respect for everybody else, then you build a completely
different atmosphere on set,” Heisserer said.
Barnes, at first, wasn’t so sure. He’d made so many period fantasy projects that
his friends had started calling him “boy with a sword”. Thankfully, the actor changed
his mind and poured himself into the process, devouring all the novels.
He was delighted to realize that everyone else was bringing the same level of commitment
he was. Book fans must’ve been utterly excited to see such devotion from the actors.
The buzz around the show has left Barnes with a feeling of “anticipation” that he says
he hasn’t felt for a very long time. When he’s not playing beautiful, broody
men on screen and being all mysterious about his “friendship” with Julianne Hough (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UutZ_8cx-UQ&ab_channel=TheList
0.01), he’s making his music and covering songs on Instagram.
Jessie Mei Li as Alina: More than a strong female protagonist
Shadow and Bone may be Li’s big Hollywood break, but the 25-year-old Chinese-British
actor has no desire to be famous. Instead, she kind of just fell into acting after a
brief stint studying French and Spanish and nearly two years as a special-education teaching
assistant. Li initially had reservations about auditioning
for the character, whose ethnicity was changed from white to mixed-race, citing concerns
about whether the change was being made due to a diversity quota. Jessie’s apprehension
was put at ease when she was asked to perform a scene in which Alina explicitly discusses
race and her experience as a biracial woman. It convinced Li that the change “was something
to help build the world and to help build her character.”
She later said, “it was really nice for me to be able to use some of my own experience
as a mixed-race person, of being constantly othered by everyone, and bring that
to Alina’s character.” Jessie landed the role not long after making
her stage debut in a West End production of All About Eve, and she’ll next appear alongside
Anya Taylor-Joy in Edgar Wright’s Last Night in Soho. Maybe she’s the Chosen One after
all.
Archie Renaux as Mal: From a kid to a love interest for a lead
Look out for this young heartbreaker. Last year he played Ben Barnes’ stepson in Gold
Digger; this time, they’re fighting for the love of the lead, Alina. Wow, right?
Even though the 23-year-old Anglo-Indian actor already knew how much of an impact the show
would make thanks to its already existing fandom, it didn’t entirely hit Archie until
he saw the first teaser trailer. Though, the recognition was not the reason
he wanted to help bring Mal to life. For him, it was all about getting the chance to play
someone who would teach him how to be braver than he was. “I think everyone could learn
a bit about his heart and courage. He has this willingness to keep going on no matter
how tough times get,” he said. Aside from, you know, generally becoming a
better human being and actor, probably to be a big-hearted father to an adorable daughter
he shares with his girlfriend.
Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa: From Nepal to Netflix The actor was born in Nepal and grew up in
a clay house in a small village. Her days were filled with adventures, out looking for
fresh mangoes, being chased by cows, eagles, and finding king cobras chilling out in their
roofs made of hay. One of her biggest struggles was learning
to read, write, and speak basic English within four months of arriving in the UK. “I felt
I climbed Mount Everest to understand scripts and texts fully,” she said.
With Shadow and Bone, a 23-year-old Amita hit her first major role. She has previously
appeared in Doctor Who and The Outpost, so she’s familiar with genre television, but
Amita never thought she would get to star in one. “As a brown actress, I never thought
I’d have the opportunity to work in the fantasy genre on TV or film,” she told Bustle.
“Even though it’s always been my dream.” Soon the actor realized that the industry
is changing. “It still has a long way to go, but diversity is showing its power in
all forms of art.” She picked up some real-life knife skills
(and a scar) while training for Shadow and Bone, and her most prized possession is her
collection of cosy onesies.
Daisy Head as Genya Safin: Grew up with another Chosen One
Daisy Head has been steadily working on TV for years in shows like Guilt and Harlots.
It must’ve been a dream come true as the actor grew up on sets.
One particular set might blow your mind a little bit. Her father, Anthony Head, used
to bring her and her sister to watch him work on the first female-centred supernatural show
that might have been a part of your childhood as well. Yep, that’s right. Daisy grew up
alongside Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and she thinks of Buffy herself, Sarah Michelle Gellar,
as an older sister. “She was so wonderful with my sister and me, and I thank her so
much for that,” said Daisy. The actor added how she’s passionate about
what she does and how she loves being a part of something that allows people to escape
and enjoy.
Kit Young as Jesper Fahey: Failed audition for Mal or a carbon copy of the character
English actor Kit Young is a total scene-stealer as Jesper. A graduate of London’s prestigious
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the 26-year-old has plenty of stage credits under his belt,
including A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Jesper marks his first prominent role — and
it’s not even the one he had planned. Young originally auditioned for Mal, saying, “It
was the worst audition of my life.” But in a surprise twist of fate, another job of
his helped casting directors see a different side of Kit that made him a better fit for
Jesper. While many of his cast members have noted
that he is most like his character, Kit mentions that Jesper’s impulsiveness is something
he does not have but hopes to build on to “become a braver and freer person.”
Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker: Care deeply, but don’t take things too seriously
Every once in a while, an actor will get lucky to find an opportunity right out of the gate.
That’s exactly what happened to Freddy Carter. He made his on-screen debut in Wonder Woman.
While he didn’t have a huge role, the experience of working on a big production for his first
job has helped set him up for success. Freddy’s also a writer and director, making
his debut with the short film No. 89, a comedy about breakups. And judging from his Instagram,
he’s a talented photographer. Carter has accomplished a lot in a short time
frame, and he believes other young actors can do the same. When asked if he had any
advice, he said, “Don’t take anything too seriously. I’m guilty of it; it’s
hard not to because you should care deeply about what you’re doing but try to enjoy
it as well. Otherwise, what’s the point?”