Calahan Skogman is the Star of DSCENE’S July Digital Cover

Calahan Skogman has emerged as a rising star in the entertainment industry with his captivating performances and undeniable talent. He developed a passion for the performing arts at a young age, participating in school plays and local theater productions. Skogman’s determination led him to pursue a career in acting, and he soon found himself making waves in the industry.

In 2021, he landed the role of Matthias Helvar in the highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s bestselling fantasy novel, “Shadow & Bone.” Set in a world filled with magic and darkness, the series follows a young orphan named Alina Starkov who discovers she possesses a unique power that could be the key to saving her war-torn country. Skogman’s character, Matthias, is a Grisha hunter with a complex past and a conflicted nature. As the story unfolds, Matthias finds himself torn between loyalty and love, leading to a captivating and emotionally charged performance

He effortlessly captures the essence of the conflicted Grisha hunter, infusing the character with a vulnerability that resonates with audiences. Skogman’s commitment to his craft is evident in every scene, as he navigates the intricate emotions and moral dilemmas that Matthias faces throughout the series.

EXCLUSIVE

As “Shadow & Bone” continues to captivate viewers and gain international acclaim, Calahan Skogman stands out as a standout talent to watch. His nuanced portrayal of Matthias Helvar showcases his range as an actor and solidifies his place among the industry’s brightest rising stars. With a promising career ahead, audiences eagerly anticipate Skogman’s future projects and the depth and authenticity he will undoubtedly bring to each role he undertakes.

Calahan stars in DSCENE Magazine’s July digital cover story captured by fashion photographer Joseph Sinclair. In charge of styling was Krishan Parmar, with grooming from hair stylist John Katsikiotis.

Continue reading for our conversation with Calahan talking about his beginnings, the determination to venture into acting, his breakthrough role as Matthias in Netflix’s “Shadow and Bone” and future endeavors:

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and how you got started in acting?

Well, I grew up in a very small town called Seymour, Wisconsin. It’s very much middle of nowhere America. I did a few school plays and was in the choir growing up, but mainly I was focused on athletics.

Though, even then, writing and films and art were the real aspects of my life that brought me joy. I was a dreamer, you know, growing up where I did, I was always thinking about the world and what awaited me out there. I ended up playing both basketball and football in college but eventually I couldn’t really keep the desire to act at bay any longer. My senior year at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, I decided to pursue acting and pivot from my goals of playing professional basketball overseas. The theater program there at UW-L really embraced me and filled me with so much love, beauty and inspiration. A year and a half later I had been in about six shows, directed one and auditioned for grad school MFA acting programs. I considered quite a few places but ultimately knew the University of Southern California was the place for me. There, I studied for three years under the likes of Natsuko Ohama and David Warshofsky and many more brilliant teachers. My time there completely altered my life and really set into motion the artistic way of living and viewing the world that I’ll carry with me forever. A couple months after I graduated from USC, I booked Shadow and Bone, and here we are.

How do you prepare for a role? Do you have any specific techniques or methods that you use?

I do become quite immersed in it. That’s so much of the joy for me. I’ll spend as much time dreaming and imagining as possible. I’m kind of the actor who wants to disappear for a month or so and be isolated and really iron out and explore the details of the character before emerging, having finally created something fleshed out with some depth. I’ll journal as the character, create the backstory and circumstances, slowly build the physicality and the vocality, and try to inhabit all of it as much as possible. I try to bring all of myself and my facilities to the role. I was trained to truly use myself in my work and I do believe the best acting is a result of that vulnerability and self accessibility combined with a real empathy and curious understanding of others.

What type of roles or genres are you drawn to the most?

I think, as actors, we’re often drawn to complexity and real humanity. I want to play characters that are drawn from some sort of truth and have something to say and fight for, something they’re really striving for that motivates growth and change. I think it’s through those characters that real storytelling begins to unfold. I love passionate and driven characters but also those that have a sort of vulnerability and introspection to them. Intelligence and high stakes. I’m drawn to the characters that have that tidal wave beneath the surface.

Can you share your experience working on the Netflix series “Shadow & Bone”? What was it like bringing the character of Matthias Helvar to life?

Life changing, honestly. Shadow and Bone was my first professional film experience. Showing up that first day on set and seeing the scope of it all, the magnitude of the ship we were filming on and just the incredible opportunity that kind of awaited us… it was remarkable. Working on Shadow and Bone is a real blessing. We have a rare group of truly wonderful, creative and humble people collaborating on it. Things are supportive, hilarious and fun, but professional. It’s a perfect blend. As far as Matthias, bringing his character to life has been such an honor creatively. The responsibility isn’t something I take lightly and I’ve grown incredibly fond of his story. His honor, his strength and vulnerability, it’s all working inside him and I just want to do it justice with my performance. I love the character deeply.

I think, as actors, we’re often drawn to complexity and real humanity. I want to play characters that are drawn from some sort of truth and have something to say and fight for, something they’re really striving for that motivates growth and change.

“Shadow & Bone” has a massive fan base, with viewers worldwide falling in love with the show. How does it feel to be a part of such a beloved and successful project?

The Shadow and Bone fans are one of a kind. Fans don’t come more enthralled and kind and passionate than they do. Part of the responsibility of being in this show for me is making sure I bring the same kind of enthusiasm to everything in the world that Leigh created as they do. It’s a tall order but a meaningful one. They’re the best. They love the story. It’s rare and quite special to be a part of something that means so much to so many.

Your character, Matthias, goes through a significant arc throughout the series. How did you approach portraying the complexities of his journey and growth?

You kind of become a painter in that way. As the actor playing Matthias, and especially since he’s a character drawn from books, I’m aware of the entirety of his journey. Like I’ve mentioned, there’s nothing better to an actor than being able to play a character that has a real, moving arc. I just make sure that, as much as possible, I capture the subtleties of the moments. I want to do justice to the character from the books, but also need to make it my own. I know the full picture, but the work comes in when deciding how exactly you’re going to paint it. Slowly. Don’t rush it. The beauty and nuance of it is in the details.

Are there any specific challenges you faced while preparing for the role? How did you overcome them?

The first major challenge was the voice. I was creating the Fjerdan accent. I spent hours and hours working on it, talking to myself incessantly throughout a series of weeks. Things take time. I loved that they gave me a kind of dominion over that creation. I had a real freedom with it that allowed me to put my touch on it. Another challenge would be telling the entirety of the character’s story with limited screen time. When you have a show like Shadow and Bone, there are so many competing storylines, each filled with brilliant actors and compelling characters. Often, you’re only going to have a handful of scenes to make an impact and deliver the story. You get what you get. That’s the work. That’s part of the challenge that’s so fulfilling. It’s very rewarding as an actor to look back on your work and feel as if you fully wrung the water out of the rag.

What aspects of Matthias’ personality or backstory resonated with you the most? Did you find any similarities between yourself and the character?

His honor. His loyalty and the fire that burns inside of him. His faith. His vulnerability. His willingness to learn and change. He’s a fierce character but he has a real sensibility, softness and intelligence to him, even though he can be short with his words. He’s a young man who has seen his family murdered, was essentially raised by a warlord, and becomes a foreign prisoner immediately after falling in love for the first time. He’s an incredibly complex character. I think there are people out there that misunderstand Matthias. From the moment I got the role I kind of said to myself, I know the truth about this person and I’m going to bring real life to his story.

Often, you’re only going to have a handful of scenes to make an impact and deliver the story. You get what you get. That’s the work. That’s part of the challenge that’s so fulfilling. It’s very rewarding as an actor to look back on your work and feel as if you fully wrung the water out of the rag.

Can you give us any hints or teasers about what fans can expect from Matthias in a possible next season of “Shadow & Bone”?

I’m so desperate to keep telling Matthias’ story because really we’ve only just begun. So much of his development is to come. There’s more opportunity to spend time with him and see the nuance of the character. Seasons 1 & 2 were mainly just the basic groundwork for what begins to unfold for him.

Apart from “Shadow & Bone,” can you tell us about any other upcoming projects you are working on? Anything you’re particularly excited about?

There are a few exciting projects in the mix but as you know, much of that has to remain under wraps until it arrives. From the writing standpoint though, my debut novel Blue Graffiti will be published next year. It’s a first person, stream of consciousness style novel set in small town Wisconsin in the 90s. It’s about love, family, faith and tragedy and is something of a love letter to middle of nowhere America and all of the beautiful and infinitely interesting people living there that you so rarely hear from.

How has your experience working on “Shadow & Bone” influenced your career and the choices you make when selecting new projects?

Most of all I think it’s given me a real perspective about how possible it is to have an environment in our industry that is comprised of truly kind, generous, humble and committed artists. Across the board. So much of that is thanks to Eric Heisserer and all the rest that assembled our team. Ultimately, I think you want to make projects you love with people you love. We’ve found that with Shadow and Bone and I’ll certainly look for it moving forward.

Is there a specific kind of character you’re eager to explore in your future projects?

Hmmm. So many. I’d like to find myself in a show like Succession, or work with Paul Thomas Anderson. I want to work with the great directors and be across from the great actors. I want to get in that arena and step up to the plate. I think I’m interested in all characters really… Also, I mean, it’s every kid’s dream to play a superhero right? I haven’t given up on that one yet either.

I want to share myself and make a positive impact. Show the world a reflection, share their stories. Help people feel, reflect, and grow. Bring people joy.

What message or impression do you hope viewers take away from your performances?

How much I care. About the work and about them. That’s the connection that leads me to art. I want to share myself and make a positive impact. Show the world a reflection, share their stories. Help people feel, reflect, and grow. Bring people joy.

What advice would you give to aspiring actors who are just starting out in their careers?

Keep going. Stay open. Breathe. Be patient. Spend time in the details. Be curious. Fall in love with your life and stay around the work. Mainly the life thing, though.

Photography: Joseph Sinclair @josephsinclair
Styling: Krishan Parmar @krishanparmar_
Grooming: John Katsikiotis @johanjohn_