Maple Ridge actor Dakota Daulby is finding his acting groove. At 19 years old, the soon-to-be acting school graduate is seeing himself on television, acting alongside Falling Skies’ veterans on the show’s fourth season. We had the pleasure of doing a Q&A interview with the up and coming actor, where he chats about his acting inspirations, his ruthless role in Falling Skies, and other upcoming projects.

You found your love for acting at a young age. What or who has been your greatest inspiration throughout your career thus far? 

Inspiration for me has always been something I’ve found within myself. I find the work of Jake Gyllenhaal and Heath Ledger riveting and fascinating in terms of performance, but I don’t try to model myself after them. If I had to boil it down I guess I find a drive in the knowledge that these actors worked hard and dedicated countless hours to being successful. If these guys were willing to dedicate themselves, and I’m willing to dedicate myself, then my career can be just as successful. The biggest inspiration is getting that next project, whether in acting, writing or directing. There are five thousand jobs available on a given day so I want to be able to say that I lowered that number every time I step into a room and perform. 

You graduate from acting school this year. How has your schooling prepared you for your next step in the film and television industry?  

I graduate from my two year acting program at New Image College of Fine Arts this September. It’s crazy because it feels like I just started the program yesterday. It’s also scary because that safety net which schooling provides is just about to pulled out from under me. With that said, I do feel ready for it though. I remember being on set for the feature film Black Fly, where I played the lead. It was a massive project and I have to admit I was nervous a few times. Whenever that happened I kept thinking back to everything my teachers taught me. At the end of the day I’m ready for what lies ahead, though. My training has given me the tools to be successful. I’m anxious yes, but I know if I follow the advice and avoid the mistakes my teachers have warned me about, then I’m ready to continue building on my current success. 

You had a role in the Leo Award-winning Sitting On the Edge of Marlene as Drew. Tell us about that experience.  

Sitting On the Edge of Marlene was such an amazing experience. Ana Valine, who is the writer and director, is an extremely gracious artist. As a writer and director myself I know it can be difficult to “loosen the reins” on your script because after developing it for years these pieces of artwork become like your child. Ana though was great in trusting us as performers. She allowed us to bring our own ideas and suggestions to our characters, which I find is the mark of a great director. By allowing us the freedom to do this, the actors become invested, we become passionate and strive to make the film the best it can be. I’m extremely excited and optimistic to see where the film will go and what other awards it could win as it releases in the coming months.

Photo credit: Bettina Strauss

You can be seen as Kent Matthews in this season of TNT’s Falling Skies. Can you tell us about your character?  

I will be seen as the ruthless yet charming, if I do say so myself, “Kent Matthews.” This season is different in that the characters are all separated at the beginning of the first episode. Unfortunately, for Tom Mason’s (Noah Wyle) youngest son, Matt Mason (Maxim Knight), he finds himself in a re-education camp run by yours truly. It was such a fun experience getting the opportunity to play such an interesting and antagonistic character. When you’re bad you don’t have to follow the same guidelines as the good guys. You get to be unpredictable and wild and people will love or hate you for it. I’m excited for people to see the character develop because he is extremely passionate about his ideals and is certainly unforgettable. Hopefully the audience will be left questioning their own loyalties and consider switching sides, because I have to say, being bad has never been so much fun. 

What was the dynamic like on-set? Off-set?  

It was a lot of fun working with Maxim on set, he’s a talented and really nice kid. He’s super genuine and we spent a lot of time just chatting up. But when the director calls us in, that friendship has to take a back-seat and I become “Kent” and he becomes “Matt,” and let me tell you, those two aren’t BFF’s that’s for sure! We’re both professionals and we know when it’s time to work, it’s time to work. But when the director yells “CUT!” we’re back to talking about video games and parkhore.

You can next be seen in the horror thriller Black Fly. Can you share details about this project?  

Yes, Black Fly is my most recent project and I’m very excited for it to come out. It was cool to be part of a film that is based on a true story, especially one that is as dark as Black Fly is. I think it’s going to become an instant Canadian classic and have a large cult following. It’s a dark and emotional horror/psychological thriller, but with beautiful writing and cinematography. Jason Bourque, who is the writer and director, was a dream come true for an actor. He allowed me and my on-screen-brother Matthew MacCaull to really delve into our characters and trust our chemistry. We all worked our asses off and gave everything we had towards the project. Matt, Christie Burke, who plays “Paula” in the film, and myself would spend fifteen hours a day on set and another five after that preparing for the next day. It takes hard work and dedication to do a project like that. Not only to do it, but to do it well. Like Sitting on the Edge of Marlene, we’re all super proud and jazzed to see this film explode. 

Your first feature film, in which you are the screenwriter, is going into production soon. Is it a passion of yours to switch acting for screenwriting, or do you hope to balance both going forward?  

I think it’s important for artists to get involved in as many aspects of the industry as possible. I’m not a patient person when it comes to my career so I like to take as much of it into my own hands as possible. Part of that is my writing and directing, and I’m fortunate enough to be doing just that in the coming months on a new project of my own. As I continue to grow and increase my skills I want to do more of this as a way to independently support my acting. Acting will always be number one but I figure if I can do it all, then my career is in my own hands. I can shape the kind of acting career I want for myself. 

If you could transport yourself to any fictional realm, which would it be and why?  

Oh that’s easy. I’d transport myself into the Game of Thrones world right away. I'm absolutely obsessed with mid-evil world and all the elements that go along with that. Castles, crowns, swords and Armour are really the reason why I love acting. I wish I was a Roman and I’m desperate to play one. I think when I get the chance to do that I’d be able to die a happy man.  

If you could be any ice cream flavour, which would you be and why? 

I’d want to be chocolate and vanilla swirl. It’s my favourite ice-cream in the world and if I was made of it I could simply eat a little bit of myself every day. McDonald's took the swirl ice cream off their menu and I was so disappointed. Honestly, if anyone knows where you buy it I need to know.

_____________________________________________________

Falling Skies airs Sundays at 10/9c on TNT, and on Super Channel in Canada.

For more information on Dakota Daulby and his upcoming projects, visit his social media links below.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram