Actress Arienne Mandi chatted about starring in “The Night Agent” on Netflix, and the digital age.
The synopsis is: The hunt for a CIA agent accused of leaking secrets puts Peter and Rose in the crosshairs of a ruthless intelligence broker and a deadly war criminal.
Experience in ‘The Night Agent’
On being a part of “The Night Agent,” she exclaimed, “It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was a well-oiled machine. The writers were always on set and so was Shawn Ryan. It was a very collaborative experience.”
“Shooting in New York City was so cool and unbelievable,” she noted. “I loved it. I had the time of my life there.”
Working with Marjan Neshat in ‘The Night Agent’
Mandi had great words about working with Marjan Neshat in “The Night Agent.” “Marjan played my mom. While we didn’t have a lot of time to connect, but when we did, it was very profound,” Mandi said.
Playing Noor Taheri in ‘The Night Agent’
On playing Noor Taheri in “The Night Agent,” she said, “I was drawn to her perseverance, and also her ability to flirt with Javad to get what she wants. She totally turns it on when she needs to get what she wants.”
The digital age
On being a part of the digital age, she said, “It’s a love and hate thing for sure. I really pride myself on being very present in day to day interactions. I enjoy face-to-face conversation. If I had the option, I would always pick up the phone vs. text. That is more my style.”
“Also, the connection that it provides is great. Social media allows to have connections with fans from all over the world. Hearing their feedback on why they loved Noor is really cool,” she acknowledged.
“Overall, if it is used as a tool, it’s great,” she added.
Daily motivations as an actress
Regarding her daily motivations as an actress, she said, “I love telling stories of layered, complex people. For me, when I was a kid, I would watch movies and TV, I was so swept up in it and so moved by it.”
“I love a good true story, but moreso, my style is escapism. I want to watch something that takes me to another place,” she noted.
“I want to do the same when I am telling stories. I want to transport people and take them on a journey,” she noted.
‘Break Even’
Mandi recalls doing the film “Break Even,” where she starred opposite Brent Bailey (as Sebastian), and Erik Fellows as the crazy recovering addict and daredevil Dash. Tasya Teles and Alisa Reyes also played their love interests Jaq and Rosie respectively, while Mandi played Maddy.
“That movie was fun,” she admitted. “Erik Fellows and the cast were all great.”
Future plans
“Workwise, I have a film that I have coming up that I am filming in Kentucky,” she said. “I am really excited. I love traveling to places that I’ve never been to. I am looking forward to sinking my teeth into that.”
“Right now, I am enjoying hearing the feedback from ‘The Night Agent’,” she noted. “The global feedback is insane! It just blows my mind.”
Career-defining moments
Mandi is a firm believer that adversity makes us stronger, so she feels that the adverse moments have molded her into who she is today. “The hardest ones have definitely defined me,” she said.
“Doing the movie ‘Tatami,’ was really challenging because it was physically demanding. I was a black belt in a sport that I never trained in. I did my own stunts in that and I choreographed all of these routines.”
“I am so grateful that I did ‘Tatami’ because I have all of those skills I developed in my arsenal now,” she admitted. “I grew so much from it.”
Stage of her life
On the title of the current chapter of her life, Mandi said, “Abundance… of all the things that make me happy.”
Advice for young and emerging actors
For young and aspiring actors, she encouraged them to “be their most authentic selves.” “There is no other ‘you’ in this world, and whatever sets you on fire, chase that down like a hungry dog,” she said.
Superpower of choice
If she were to have any superpower, it would be to “time travel” and “move through time.”
“I would love to go back in time and observe things and lend a word to myself and whisper in my own ear,” she said with a sweet laugh. “That would be really nice.”
Working with photographer Bjoern Kommerell
Mandi had great words about working with master photographer Bjoern Kommerell. “Bjoern is wonderful,” she admitted. “Bjoern has a very specific vision, attention to detail, and his photos are very cinematic and different. I love his work; he is fun, quick, and funny. His photos are very moody, which I love.”
Success
Regarding her definition of the word success, Mandi said, “Success means integrating each experience, each shortcoming and each situation that feels horrific and making it into something great.”
“Peace of mind is success,” she underscored.
To learn more about Arienne Mandi, check out her IMDb page, and follow her on Instagram.
