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Talent: Dimitri Leonidas
By Richard Pérez-Feria / Photography by River Chad

It takes a moment to realize that British actor Dimitri Leonidas, who’s so expertly handling a chariot in Ancient Rome in the new series Those About To Die (Peacock), is the same man whom a decade ago memorably portrayed Private Sam Epstein in George Clooney’s directorial epic The Monuments Men co-starring Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett and Bill Murray. It’s been quite a ride from then to now.

Directed by action-is-my-jam legend Roland Emmerich (Independence Day) and starring the one and only Sir Anthony Hopkins, the new take on the gladiators of yesteryear Those About To Die highlights is what Leonidas says first drew him to his character, famed playboy chariot racer, Scorpus.

“The scenes they sent me showcased such a cool depiction of Ancient Rome,” Leonidas says. “It was like Gangsters In Rome.”

But the sure-fire hit series wasn’t without its share of challenges for the London-born son of Greek and British parents. In fact, the very notion that he was an expert chariot racer was most daunting of all.

“I have quite a fear of horses,” Leonidas says. “I had a lot of ground to cover to get to a point where I felt comfortable with the horses. The other actors and I had extensive training and then we graduated from carriages to four-horse chariots. At the end of filming, it was sort of magical realizing we mastered it and to just to see how far all of us came. But, yes, chariot racing is insane.”

Besides his well-received turn in The Monuments Men, Leonidas has spearheaded a number of other roles over the past decade including Jon Stewart’s directorial debut Rosewater as well as the series Riviera and The One (Netflix). Most recently, he portrayed Hober Mallow in the Apple TV+ science fiction series, Foundation.

His career began just as impressively co-starring with Michael Fassbender in Centurion followed by roles in Sinbad, Doctor Who and the Spanish film, Animals.

It’s fascinating to watch this accomplished thespian tackle the role of Scorpus, an actual historical figure. The action on-screen is thrilling to be sure, but off-screen this talented actor is so ready for more. And what could be more thrilling than that?

Given your well documented previous fear, is it fair to say that horses have now become your friends?
Having spent a year working with horses I now fully appreciate why some people dedicate their lives caring and working with them. They are beautiful animals. Humans and horses have a long history of coexistence and cooperation. We owe them a lot!

You’ve worked with some of the most iconic actors of our time: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Matt Damon, Bill Murray...now, Sir Anthony Hopkins. Is there a trait they all share professionally or does each actor do their own thing?
I have been incredibly lucky to work with some great actors. It's hard to get a complete picture of an actor's process as a lot of prep happens prior to filming and often in private. I can speak to the work that happens on set. Every actor has to become comfortable in stepping into a world of uncertainty, commiting to something and if it doesn't work, commiting to something else. It's about being brave and often letting go of things that felt right in your prep work but aren't working at the moment. While every actor faces similar obstacles I think the best actors have navigated their own way through. We can borrow tips and tricks and lean on the wisdom of others, but I think building confidence in your own process is really important. And that doesn't mean having all the answers, sometimes it's the confidence to say 'I have no idea what I am doing.'

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How would you describe your new series, Those About To Die, to someone who asks you if it’s like the movie Gladiator with Russell Crowe?
Those About to Die and Gladiator are both epics set in ancient Rome. Both deal with the disparity of power between slave and emperor class and highlight the mobs thirst for blood and entertainment. In terms of themes and context, they are very similar but tonally they are quite different. Those About to Die has a large cast and storylines that fill different elements within the world. Gladiator is a much more singular story.

You were an extra on Charles Sturridge’s Fairy Tale: A True Story when you were ten years old. Was there ever any question you’d be an actor?
That's right, I was also an extra in a Jean Reno film called The Visitors. I remember it really vividly, the set was this medieval castle, a fake pig was being hog roasted over a fire and music was played as myself and the other child extras ran around in the scene. When we weren't needed we would spend most of the day in a holding room. Just hanging out passing the time. I would keep an eye out the window where you might spot an actor travelling to and from set or see the camera guys unloading equipment. I always wondered who or what was at the centre of it all. I was too young to understand how any of it worked but I remember thinking there must have been a centre point, where all these sets and studios and important people are conjured from. I'm still looking for it.

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What was the one role you auditioned for and really wanted and didn’t get? Every actor I know has a few of those that still smart.
I suppose the most painful one was for the lead in the play Equus (horses again). I was ninteen at the time and had a meeting with the director who was leading a UK tour of the play. I spent many days working on a scene and the audition went really well, the director asked me to stay behind and read another scene. On a Friday evening I was with some friends, my then agent called to say I have been offered the role. My mates congratulated me, and we celebrated. It felt like such a big moment, I was at the very beginning of my career and had all the anxiety that comes with that, landing this role felt like a sign I was going in the right direction. The weekend of joy ended with another phone call on Monday from my agent. There had been a misunderstanding. I had been offered the understudy...I turned it down, watching someone else perform it every night while I am on standby felt too traumatizing. I had to go back and tell all my friends and family that I didn't actually have the role. Brutal.

What do people tell you when they recognize you? Is there a consistent comment or question they pose?
I don't get recognized very often and when I do it's never for the same thing. Sometimes it's Foundation, sometimes Monuments Men, sometimes The One—a show on Netflix. For that reason the interaction is always a bit different. I remember working with Iwan Rheon at the height of Game of thrones' popularity. He played the evil Ramsay Bolton and watching people go crazy meeting him was very funny. They were sort of enthralled and sort of terrified.

Have you ever thought about acting with your two actor sisters on a project?
I would love to work with my sisters on a project. It would be fun! (If we don't just argue the whole time). I think at some point it will happen, maybe it's something we need to write ourselves. Honest and accurate depictions of siblings on screen are really entertaining. I loved Wes Anderson's film The Darjeeling Limited, the inner politics between the three brothers was really well told. Just got to convince my sisters now!

What’s one surprising thing about you?
I have five godchildren! How mad is that. To be fair one isn't a child. Rob is my brother in law and in order to get married in a Greek church he first had to be christened. We had to take a paddling pool to the church to baptize him in, he stood in it while I rubbed sacred oil on him. The others are kids and babies, Delphi, Gianluca, Daisy and Scarlet. The last two I have yet to christen! I can't put into words how proud I am of being a Godfather to all these beautiful kids. Such an honor.

Are you tough on yourself or are you a positive affirmation person?
I have a good balance and a positive outlook. I recognize what dedication and motivation can achieve. I do push myself to make the most of every opportunity, or the chance to learn a new skill. I also know there are times where you have to give yourself a break. There are these Wim Hof breathing techniques I use when I feel a bit overloaded. They are life changing. Shuts off the noise and brings you into the present.

Complete this sentence: In five years, Dimitri Leonidas is...
In five years Dimitri Leonidas is throwing a huge party for all his godchildren, which likely maxed out at five but who knows! I'd like to think I'd be a step closer to developing and making my own films. Oh and in five years Dimitri Leonidas wishes he had bought more Bitcoin.

CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Dimitri Leonidas
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Interview by Richard Pérez-Feria
Photographer: River Chad
Fashion Stylist: Melvin Sanders
Groomer: Raquel Moreno
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine

Cover Story: Dimitri Leonidas