Ashby Gentry Stars on DSCENE Magazine’s May 2024 Cover

Actor Ashby Gentry stars in the April 2024 digital cover story of DSCENE Magazine, brought to life by the visual storytelling of New York-based photographer Eden Mili. Gentry, known for his compelling portrayal of Alex Walter in the global hit series “My Life with the Walter Boys,” reflects on a journey marked by unexpected turns and profound realizations. This series, hailed from the creative minds behind “The Kissing Booth” and based on Ali Novak’s widely adored novel, has captured audiences worldwide, propelling Gentry into a whirlwind of acclaim and newfound fame.

EXCLUSIVE

Ashby Gentry sits down with Editor Katarina Doric to talk about his transition from a character in a beloved narrative to an influential figure in contemporary cinema. With an upcoming role in the indie film “Mooch,” Gentry continues to explore the depth of his craft, drawing from a well of personal experiences and artistic inspirations. This interview offers a glimpse into the making of “My Life with the Walter Boys” and reveals the layers of Gentry’s approach to acting, his reflections on the industry’s changing landscape, and the personal aspirations that guide him through the bustling world of storytelling and cinematic expression.

Congratulations on the success of “My Life with the Walter Boys” on Netflix. What attracted you to the role of Alex Walter, and how did you approach bringing this character to life? – Thanks so much! What attracted me most to Alex is—I think—the same thing that attracts anyone to Alex: his heart of gold. I know a softie when I see one and Alex allowed me the chance to showcase that part of myself, which I often am not afforded the opportunity to exhibit in the public eye. As for my approach, I took holistic measures when it came to exploring Alex. In my opinion, characters aren’t created, they are investigated, so a lot of the process was asking questions. What does he dress like? Where is his center of gravity? What music does he listen to? What type of food does he eat? What books does he read? When does he go to bed; when does he wake up? I even started taking showers in the morning and writing with my left hand to see if it had any effect on my performance. Maybe it did, maybe it didn’t. Who knows.

Working on a project adapted from a popular novel like Ali Novak’s must come with its own set of challenges and expectations. How familiar were you with the source material before filming, and how did it influence your portrayal of Alex? – I was completely unfamiliar with the material prior to landing the role. Initially I couldn’t get access to the book so I had to look it up on GoodReads which is where I discovered the love triangle storyline.

I think the novel is like a well to draw inspiration from; however, I, in no way, felt obligated to portray the character on the page, as there are significant departures in the televised version of the story. I did make a note of all of the physicality described in the book as I was reading, and I would go over that every day in the car on the way to set just to connect with some sort of physical stimulus for Alex as I was warming up. I recently re-read the book in preparation for Season 2 and definitely feel like I want to borrow some of Book-Alex’s energy for the upcoming story.

The dynamic between the Walter brothers is a significant aspect of the series. Could you describe your process for developing the on-screen relationship with Noah LaLonde, who plays Cole? – Initially Noah and I tried to distance ourselves from each other on set as a means of cultivating the tension between Alex and Cole, but later realized that what was more interesting was to explore the unseen history of their closeness as brothers. That exploration involved a lot of off-screen bonding and embracing a friendship with someone who very much feels like a brother of my own. I think cultivating a deep personal bond with Noah and Nikki allows me to work so freely with them which ultimately enhances the story. Excited to continue that in the future.

Every time I go out, I get recognized by someone who watched the show—sometimes 6 or 7 times a day. Usually, it’s kids who are super excited to see someone from Netflix which is really sweet. I feel like Santa Claus.

Jackie Howard’s arrival turns the Walter household upside down. How did you and Nikki Rodriguez approach the evolving relationship between Jackie and Alex throughout the series? – In a much similar way, we both used the closeness we cultivated off screen as a means of enhancing our life on screen. Nikki and I initially FaceTimed before we started shooting just to assess comfortability since we both had to behave so affectionately throughout the season. Given that we shot out of order, it was slightly difficult to alter the dynamics of their relationship seeing as it transitions from friends to loved ones over the course of the show; however, Nikki was extremely fluid with her performance as Jackie which made it so much easier for me to embrace whatever stage of the relationship we were showcasing at that moment.

“My Life with the Walter Boys” involves a significant shift in setting for the protagonist, from New York to rural Colorado. What was it like filming in such a picturesque location? – It truly is mind-blowing how beautiful the locations are on this project. Every place we visit looks better in person than on-screen and on-screen it already looks amazing. It makes me feel so lucky to get to do this job and share these experiences. It’s humbling and imbues me with eternal gratitude.

Can you share any memorable moments from the set? – One of my favorite moments was when we filmed the bonfire scene. Almost all of the cast was there which is always a treat because we get to spend time together, and we had all planned on going to breakfast together afterwards, so we had a light at the end of the tunnel to motivate us through a long, cold overnight shoot.

With the series having been #1 on Netflix worldwide, how has the response from fans and the increased visibility impacted you personally and professionally? – The transition has been pretty stark and pretty rapid which took me completely by surprise. I remember lamenting to my friends right before the show came out that I was scared no one would watch it. Now, virtually every time I go out, I get recognized by someone who watched the show—sometimes 6 or 7 times a day. Usually, it’s kids who are super excited to see someone from Netflix which is really sweet. I feel like Santa Claus. Seeing it hit number one for multiple weeks in a row was really jarring. I’m grateful for the increased notoriety and excited for the attention I’m able to bring to smaller projects that might need that kind of support. Most of all, though, I’m simply elated that so many people found solace within the world we created, and I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility not to let them down going forward.

Transitioning to your career more broadly, what or who were your biggest influences when you decided to pursue acting, and how have they shaped your approach to your craft? – I would say when it comes to my work, my biggest inspiration is Willem Dafoe. I love the types of projects he chooses. I’m in awe of his ability to transform. I think his ethos when it comes to the diligence with which he prepares ought to be seen as the gold standard when it comes to actors all over the world.

Simultaneously when it comes to my career, I think my biggest inspiration is Robert Pattinson. He managed to successfully dodge the Twilight heartthrob pigeonhole, and cultivate a deep and colorful body of work, all while retaining his box office potential in blockbuster roles. I think if I could emulate anyone’s career it would be his.

Interestingly enough the director who’s on the top of my ‘to-work-with’ lists is actually Robert Eggars. Needless to say, The Lighthouse is a very special film to me.

Outside of filming, what are some of your favorite TV shows or movies, and do they influence your acting style or choice of roles? – Ironically, I don’t watch much TV. I have been into the Sopranos recently but put it on hold to prep for Season 2 of Walter Boys. I am more of a Movie/Play kind of guy. Like I said, I love Robbert Eggars work as well as: Damien Chazelle, Stanley Kubrick, Charlotte Wells, Chris Nolan, Sofia Coppola, Alfonso Cuaron, Bong Joon-Ho, Barry Jenkins, Ari Aster, The Safdie Brothers, Aronofsky, Claire Denis, Denis Villeneuve, Greta Gerwig, Robert Altman, Godard… I could go on and on.

I will admit one of the most interesting things I watched this past year was a filmed Talking Heads concert called Stop Making Sense by Jonathon Demie. That really spoke to me for some reason. It felt like intentional nonsense, which is an artistic quality I’m particularly interested in. That was definitely an “Ashby” piece of work.

Never let somebody else grab the pen and try to write your story for you.

When you’re not on set or preparing for a role, how do you like to spend your spare time? Do you have any particular hobbies or interests? – I think I relax most within the company of others. When I’m by myself I find I’m restless if I’m not working. I think that might be why I feel so at home on set. I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend, Shira, my roommates, Corey and Liam, and my sister, Claire, all of whom I treasure to my core. Beyond that I’m hoping to get back into martial arts as I have about 20 years of experience doing that. Prior to the strike I had also just begun piano lessons so hopefully I’ll get the chance to start those up again. Maybe you’ll even see me sing and dance one day. Who’s to say?

Looking forward, you’re set to appear in the indie film “Mooch.” Can you tell us a bit about your role in this project? – I play the son of the brilliant Scott Cohen who is the Italian, nightclub owner that enlists the detective services of our amazing lead played by Jeff Ryan. I’ve seen the film and I’m very proud of it. I think it’s lovely and I can’t wait for the world to see it. I don’t want to reveal too much but just like my character on Walter Boys, this movie has a heart of gold. I’m the luckiest boy alive.

What’s next for you? – What’s next for me is to continue surviving. I have some stuff I have to do for MOOCH before it comes out, then I have prep work to do for Season 2 of Walter Boys. In between all that I try to stop and breathe and look around at the rooms I’m in and remind myself how precious this life that I have is. In the meantime, it’s about remembering who I am and what I believe in. I said this to a friend of mine recently: “never let somebody else grab the pen and try to write your story for you.” That’s sort of been my mantra and will continue to be until my story’s over. Hopefully that’s not anytime soon.

Photographer Eden Mili, a New York-based creative specializing in portrait photography – @edenmili
Talent Ashby Gentry – @ashbygentry
Interview Katarina Doric – @katarina.djoric