Sam Woolf, Starring in "We Were the Lucky Ones"
Look by AMI Paris
Sam Woolf, the star of the critically acclaimed limited series “We Were the Lucky Ones,” graces the cover of PhotoBook's latest issue. Known for roles in popular series including “The Witcher,” “The Crown,” and “Call the Midwife,” he has portrayed a wide range of characters, resonating with audiences around the world. With a diverse resume spanning many genres, Sam is certainly one to watch. Currently, he stars as Adam Eichenwald in Hulu’s limited series “We Were the Lucky Ones,” which tells the true story of a Jewish family’s perseverant journey surviving World War II.
Take us back to your start in acting and what inspired you to chase a career in entertainment.
My start, I suppose, was playing the worthy “Thane of Ross,” in a school production of Macbeth. I was chuffed because I’d auditioned for the earlier plays and never got in, but now I was in the older boys’ play. Serious social currency - though not as much as being tall or mean or funny. That was the first place I felt accepted and validated so I probably just kept chasing that feeling, though chasing validation alone isn’t sustainable. After your 200th audition rejection, you learn the necessity of finding some inner validation and nurturing the relationships that keep you whole. Getting external validation sure helps, though.
When looking at your body of work, there is a recurring theme of period pieces. From your roles in “Call the Midwife,” to “The Crown,” and currently “We Were the Lucky Ones,” what is the appeal of playing historical roles?
I’d love to say it was by design and that those are the roles I was drawn to because of the depth to them, but in truth it’s just happened to be that those have been the jobs I’ve gotten. I think most actors have less autonomy over roles than people think, particularly in the early years of a career. You keep trying to create characters honestly and keep your head above water when it isn’t going your way, and occasionally you’re the right person doing the right work for a part. It’s also been said to me that I have a “period face” so it could be as simple as that.
Look by AMI Paris
Whether being in film or on television, or on the stage, do you have any dream roles or genres you would love to take on?
I’d love to play a young Paul Bettany in a Paul Bettany biopic. Just so I could do his scenes in “A Knight’s Tale.” Aside from that, I’d love to do some screen horror. Stuff like “It Follows” and “Barbarian” would be amazing to do. I started out doing a lot of Shakespeare on stage so there’s some roles I’d love to get the chance to do when I’m a tad longer in the tooth. A few more years until I can play “King Lear” and there’s a lot I want to do in the meantime.
Can you compare preparing for a fictional role, versus a role based in history? What differences are there when getting into character?
Characters exist within the context of their world. When that world is historical there’s an added wealth of knowledge you can get your teeth into. Everything adds layers of texture behind the eyes, even if the specific information you have isn’t at the forefront of your mind in each moment. It’s simmering somewhere. Apart from that, in terms of getting into character, I’d say pretty similar: I try to find the point where I meet the character and where the character meets me. Then somewhere in the middle of that remember the lines and do not knock things over.
“We Were the Lucky Ones,” based on the bestselling novel by Georgia Hunter, covers a Jewish family's journey surviving World War II. How did this part find you, and what drew you to the story?
This is a story close to my heart and to my own family’s history. Jobs like this don’t come around every day and I was ecstatic to be cast, at the same time as being terrified I wouldn’t do justice to Adam and to the story.
What challenges can come with telling such an important and sensitive story?
I suppose that’s where there was fear, the knowledge of how important it is to honor the situation that these people were in. But everyone involved so deeply had this shared goal to tell this story fully, openly that we all swept each other along, and held each other when we needed holding. Having Georgia with us and being connected to her was an extraordinary thing and rought the reality of the characters incredibly close to us.
Left:
Shirt, Trousers, all by BOSS
Right:
Coat, trousers, all by BOSS; shoes (left image) by AMI Paris; (right image) Manolo Blahnik trainers
In “We Were the Lucky Ones,” you star with your co-star, Joey King. What was the experience of working together, and can you share any memorable moments from the set?
Joey’s amazing to work with, she’s a giving actor. And we laughed a lot when we weren’t working, which is a necessary release when handling subject matter that is extremely emotionally raw. There were a lot of memorable moments, right now what comes to mind was a time we had to repeatedly wait inside a car for the rig to be driven back, we couldn’t get out, so we watched an early internet viral video called “Ladder Goat” that I’d forgotten about. I think there are photos somewhere of laughing in a totally deranged way, I think I had tears streaming down my face. Early internet, fantastic stuff.
Tell us about your role as Adam? What was the process of researching this character, and how does it differ from previous roles?
Adam is a thorough, reserved, passionate man. That might sound contradictory but what I love about him is there’s a huge store of emotion bubbling beneath the surface for him. He was an extraordinary person, I’m in awe of him, really. I’ve never felt so connected to a character as Adam. It was an honor to play him.
Suit by Brunello Cucinelli
Shoes by Christian Louboutin
As someone with a successful career behind you and ahead of you, what advice or words of wisdom can you share with someone trying to get their start in the industry?
I don’t know if I have any wisdom worth listening to, but if I did it would be “be interested and be interesting. Let acting be your passion but not the sum of your personality. And keep your heart open and your loved ones close. They’re the ones who will help pick you up off the cutting room floor and keep you grounded if you get swept up in the wonder and the nonsense.
What do you hope audiences take away from “We Were the Lucky Ones?”
A great big dose of empathy, pain, and hope.
Jacket, Jeans, Shirt, Tie, all by Brunello Cucinelli
Please tell us about your cover for PhotoBook? What was it like shooting with David Reiss?
It was great. David’s very talented and has a relaxed energy so I felt like we could go to fun places together. He was honest enough to dial me back when I was getting too theatrical. Not that you can ever be too theatrical. (I needed to stop waving my arms like I’m hailing a cab).
Social Media.
Instagram: @samwoolfactor
Jacket, Trousers all by Tiger of Sweden
Shirt by Delos
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Sam Woolf
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: David Reiss
Fashion Stylist: Olga Timofejeva at The ONLY Agency
Groomer: Charlotte Yeoman
Stylist Assistant: Jannelle Williams
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview Questions by Ethan Engh, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
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