Actor Taylor Napier chatted about starring in the hit series “The Wheel of Time” on Amazon Prime Video.
Napier stars as Maksim, a fan favorite, alongside Rosamund Pike in the acclaimed fantasy series.
Based on Robert Jordan’s bestselling novels, he plays a highly-skilled and loyal Warder, known for both his strength in battle and easygoing, humorous nature.
How was your experience in “The Wheel of Time”?
It’s been incredible in so many ways. From getting to do epic fight scenes to shooting all over the world. I’ve been so lucky to be a part of this series. It’s really quite fantastical in the best way possible.
It’s also been great to get to be a part of something that I feel has just gotten better with every season. If we are lucky enough to do Season 4, I can’t wait to see what it brings.
Getting to know so many actors and creatives from all over the world- who are working at the top of their game has also been such a cool part of this thing.
Everyone brings their own history, culture, and creative process to the experience and I think it only adds to the unique aspect of the show.
What did you like the most about your character Maksim?
He’s pretty unapologetically himself and he wears his heart very much on his sleeve. It’s honestly been interesting and (in some ways) disappointing to see the feedback from some fans about how emotional he is.
I thought we had gotten a bit further with dealing with toxic masculinity- and judging men on being emotional in any way except anger- but it seems for some we haven’t.
I love the fact he’s someone who can cry about losing the love of his life and then kick some ass as a warrior in the next scene.
What was it like working along with Rosamund Pike?
Rosamund is just such an incredible professional and I think she set the bar for the entire cast very high. She’s interesting, she’s smart, she’s eccentric.
She also cares deeply for the project and for the cast in ways I haven’t really seen from a Number 1 on the call sheet. I think a lot of the magic we have can easily be traced back to her leadership.
How does it feel to be an actor in the digital age? (Now with streaming, technology, and social media being so prevalent).
Honestly, it’s both exciting and frustrating at the same time. In some ways the advent of technology has made it so much easier to interact with fans in meaningful ways.
It has also made it much more possible to produce your own work and get it seen by tons of people.
The problem is I feel like it’s now fallen to the actor to be a one man band in many ways. Write, direct, produce, and act. The expectation that everyone wants to be a creator or needs to be an influencer in order to succeed is frustrating because ultimately they are very different skills.
For a few years, it felt like it was swinging back in the other direction, but I think since the strikes the amount of followers you have has become a key conversation point in casting roles for certain projects.
Especially on those financed by the less… creative… side of our industry. Good doesn’t always equal popularity.
What is your advice for young and emerging actors?
Keep going. I know it sucks (it still sucks for me much of the time). Find joy in all the little moments and victories. Find all the things outside of acting you love and invest some time in them- as they will bring you happiness when the work isn’t coming.
Find a way to develop your process and hold firm to the things about your acting that you love- don’t seek validation from anyone outside of yourself. If you are happy with your work- your work will resonate with someone.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
It’s more personal moments than anything specifically business related. I remember testing for this show and being so nervous staring at the other actors in the room, but then something came over me looking at them.
I’ve always struggled with self-doubt as a performer, but standing there waiting to go in I just looked at all these other guys and thought- I can knock this out of the park.
I went in there and killed it. I didn’t get the role, but I was so happy with the work that I did that I didn’t care. There was something so freeing in that. Knowing I left it all on the table.
What does the word success mean to you? (My favorite question)
Ask me tomorrow and my answer might change, haha. But I really love to act, and stay busy acting- so I always look at my year by how many days I’m on set and actually doing what I love vs wanting to be on set, and that’s a major defining thing for me.
In terms of life? I feel like success is getting to the end of a day and feeling like that day has been lived- whatever that means.
I don’t like wasted days- we get too few as it is- to feel like a day has been wasted (that doesn’t mean that a day in front of the couch watching a show is wasted, by the way; sometimes that’s what you need).
What would you like to say to your readers about “The Wheel of Time”? (What’s the one thing you want them to get out of it).
I just want people to have a good time with it- get invested in all of these characters because I think they are all amazing. It’s a good show, but it’s a great escape- and I think that’s what we need right now.
To learn more about Taylor Napier, follow him on Instagram.
