Deniz Akdeniz
Deniz Akdeniz an Australian actor who began performing at the age of eight and trained in musical theaters in Australia. He is known for his outstanding role as The Disney Prince Aladdin in the ABC series hit show “Once Upon A Time,” starring Jennifer Morrison, Josh Dallas, and Robert Carlyle. He also starred in the CW’s hit series Jane the Virgin, ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, and CBS’s Code Black. He currently plays Max on HBO Max’s The Flight Attendant, which is a dark comedic thriller following a flight attendant who wakes up in a hotel room with a dead man but with no memory of what happened. Deniz Akdeniz’s character gets dragged into this murder mystery when his girlfriend Annie (Zosia Mamet) is best friends with Cassie, the flight attendant played by Kaley Cuoco. The Flight Attendant is now in season two.
T-shirt by UNTUCKit
Pants by Catou at The Confessional Showroom
The first season of The Flight Attendant was based on a book. Do you like working on projects that already have source material and a fan base with it?
Anytime you work on a project that has source material it comes with a lot of pressure. As everyone who reads that material imagines the story and characters in their heads differ. So, it comes down to the interpretation of the writer adapting it and working through that interpretation. For the Flight Attendant the source material served as a launching pad for the story. Steve and the team used that as inspiration to create something unique. My character, Max, doesn’t exist in the book. It’s a pure creation of our own. So, all that pressure I was talking about didn’t really exist for me on this one, which was lovely.
What has been the biggest difference for you in filming the first season and the second one?
Being able to have the time to explore these characters and their relationship in more depth. This season we really got to dive in and see what happens when Max and Annie’s relationship is really tested. The paradigm shift between the two was so much fun to play with and showed another side to these characters. Max was finally able to grow and find his voice in the relationship. If it weren’t for certain outside threats from the Diaz, it was hard to see if the relationship would survive. Plus, this season Max is right in the middle of the mystery and mayhem. Which is dangerously painful at times for Max but heaps of fun for me.
Wide Rib Tank + Pleated Tapered Trouser by Club Monaco
Do you have any desire to work on projects back home in Australia?
I love working on Australian stories. I was extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to do that early in my career. However, back when I was in Australia the opportunities for someone of my ethnic background was slim. Those stories weren’t being told or were, but most of the time as simple stereotypes. In addition, roles that could be ethically ambiguous weren’t going to minorities. I can see that it’s slowly changing, but unfortunately it wasn’t possible when I was there. That’s a large part of why I moved to the United States. There’s still a lot to be done in the United States, but there is more opportunity and willingness to show representation in TV and film. I really hope to be able to get back to Australia and tell more stories one day.
Are there any actors you would love to work with?
Oh man, too many--all of them, including Oscar Isaac, Natalie Portman, Gary Oldman, Toni Collette, Michael Fassbender, and Tom Hardy. I was extremely fortunate to work with one of my all-time favorite actresses recently. I just wrapped a film with Julia Louis-Dreyfus, called Beth & Don. It was such a surreal experience. I’ve always been such a huge admirer of her work. Then to be able to sit across from her and just play was mind blowing. She made it all so easy and was so lovely. I honestly had the time of my life. To be able to tell stories and create with people of that caliber are just dreams coming true.
Short Sleeve Linen Plaid Shirt by Club Monaco
Pants by Catou at The Confessional Showroom
Shoes by Florsheim Shoes
Hat by Stylist own
What can you tell us about the season finale of season 2? What should the fans expect
The finale is going to be a rollercoaster. It honestly keeps you guessing till the very end. They’ve done such an amazing job of building this season towards the climax. You won’t know what’s going to happen next. And it’s going to be worth the wait. Expect, danger, death and delightful fun.
How do you prepare yourself for emotionally taxing scenes like your fight with Zosia’s character Annie?
We were actually really excited for that scene. It was a different side to these characters than we’ve seen before. They can’t be cute and fun all the time. People aren’t like that. We all have our moments, relationships are put on the edge, tested. Zosia herself is so sweet and felt awful for the actions of Annie taking off the ring. So, when we got to this scene almost every take before she was like “I’m sorry, Annie’s the worst, I’m sorry.” When you have a partner like Zosia, even what should be the most taxing or difficult scene is easy. She’s so on top of it and available that you are able to let go and just play.
Summer Wave Camp Collar Shirt by Club Monaco
Suit by AKOBI at The Confessional Showroom
Are there any ways in which you relate to your character Max?
I love Max's superpower, his ability to hack anything. I am quite tech savvy but nowhere near what Max is capable of, like not even close. I really enjoy gadgets and tools, a little too much. Any little device that can make my life simpler is something I need to have. Like how could I exist knowing it’s out there and I do not have it.
What do you like to do when you're not working?
When I’m not on set, I'm usually working on developing films that I’d love to share with audiences soon. All in various stages of development. To take a break from all of that I do love to bake. I really enjoy the process of it all. I love to bake cookies and am slowly dipping my toes into more cakes and treats. With a huge, sweet tooth it’s quite dangerous, but I love it when I’m able to bake for others. I actually baked more than 200 cookies once for the crew while filming Flight Attendant. It was a great way to bake a number of different recipes without having to eat them all myself.
Jacket by Teddy Vonranson
Turtleneck by Teddy Vonranson
Pants by Catou at The Confessional Showroom
Boots by COS
What's a typical day like on set for you?
A lot of it is maintaining stamina for the day, to be honest. They are such long days that you really have to manage your energy throughout. And with this show there’s always some danger around the corner. So, with such high stakes you have to be able to keep up that.
I noticed you don’t have social media, is there any reason that you chose not to partake in it?
No, I do not. Social media isn’t something that comes natural to me so I really haven’t spent the time to get involved. I find it can be an amazing tool to connect with audiences and share wonderful experiences. One day I might take the plunge but for now I’m enjoying the peace and quiet of not being connected.
T-shirt by UNTUCKit
Pants by Catou at The Confessional Showroom
CREW CREDITS:
Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Michael Creagh
Talent: Deniz Akdeniz
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon
Groomer: Luis Guillermo Duque using Oribe for hair and MAKE UP FOR EVER for makeup
Photographer’s Assistant: Mikkel Schwitzer
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Sahar Kariem, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
