Actor Cosmo Jarvis takes the DSCENE Magazine‘s April 2024 Digital cover, captured by fashion photographer Jemima Marriott. In charge of styling was Mark Anthony Bradley, with grooming from beauty artist Rebecca Richards. Raised in a household where old music and movies were not just entertainment but a form of art to be admired, Cosmo developed an early appreciation for the sounds, stories, and characters that define our cultural landscape. This exposure, coupled with a natural talent for storytelling and performance, laid the groundwork for a career that ventured through various arenas before decisively focusing on acting.
INTERVIEWS
In this exclusive interview with DSCENE Magazine‘s editor Pavle Banovic, Cosmo talks about being born in New Jersey and later moving to the English countryside, he discusses the impact of these contrasting environments on his creative path and how the absence of a local film scene fueled his ambitions. Highlighting his career, he reflects on the significance of his role in “Calm with Horses,” which earned him critical acclaim, and shares his thoughts on his favorite characters, including the lesser-known Terry Rose from “The Evening Hour.” Looking ahead, he introduces us to his upcoming projects, including the FX limited series “Shōgun,” where he plays John Blackthorne, a role that required him to immerse himself into the geopolitics of 1600s England and the cultural nuances of feudal Japan.
As an actor, with a history also in music, how did all those creative expressions come to be, and how did you make the switch?
My parents exposed me to a lot of old music and movies and the characters performances they contained. I’m very grateful to them for that. I just found them interesting; sounds, stories, characters – what people call ‘art’, I guess. These almost unquantifiable mediums just seemed inspirational or comforting or thought provoking or something.
Quitting music permanently to pursue acting was easy for me as it was something I’d always wanted to do professionally and had done in various other capacities throughout my life, though the forthcoming attempts to become somewhat established and earn a living from it were obviously very challenging.
You were born in New Jersey and moved as a child to the English countryside. Would you say all this influenced you and your artistry in any way?
No, I don’t think so. Perhaps the lack of film based infrastructure available there nourished some hunger to leave and go where I thought more of it existed. Devon sure is a beautiful place though.
“Calm with Horses” seems to stand out in your acting resume, as you were nominated for Best Actor by the British Independent Film Awards 2020 and London Film Critics’ Circle. Reflecting now, what would you say that experience was like?
It was so long ago. Yes it was certainly nice of them to nominate my work. I was very happy for Barry Keoghan and Niamh Algar whose work was also recognised and just generally very happy that Nick Rowland’s labour of love was noticed.
What was your personal favourite role that you played so far?
I can’t say I have a favourite. I once played a man named Terry Rose alongside Phillip Ettinger in a movie called ‘The Evening hour’ which didn’t get seen by a lot of people. I liked Terry. I guess I like most of the characters I’ve played. Even if they might be miserable to associate with.
You have quite a few exciting projects coming up, FX’s limited TV series “Shōgun.” , the movie “Alto Knights” and “Inside.” Can you introduce Shōgun to us and who you play?
Yes, ‘inside’ is a very unique Australian film. It is about three very different men in very different stages of incarceration in the Australian prison system. It deals with some very difficult and uncommon subjects.
In Shogun I played a man named ‘John Blackthorne’. He is a highly competent, slightly gregarious and calculating English merchant seaman, specifically a pilot navigator who in 1600, washes up in feudal Japan. He is taken prisoner and must do what he can to stay alive. It is here that Blackthorne meets a powerful Daimyo, Lord Yoshii Toranaga, and gradually contributes to his struggle to maintain the sovereignty of Japan against a plethora of corrupt forces.
Shōgun is a famous novel and was a hugely popular TV series in 1980, so what can we expect from this new adaptation?
I’ve actually never seen the original series. I think this new adaptation mostly nurtures the spirit of the original novel by James Clavell (that the 1980’s show was based on). As much of a cliche as it is to say, I believe it has something for everyone. Shogun is quite a grand tale with many of the oldest and most archetypal themes embedded in it. These themes of duty, love, betrayal, honour, assimilation and sacrifice are themes which transcend demographics and which folks from all walks of life can relate to. I think Shogun is a world people might like to escape to as well as being a fascinating period of history to visit.
How did you approach the role of ‘John Blackthorne’? Did you know much about the period and Japanese culture before filming?
No, I had only a very superficial understanding of Japanese culture, the kind a person gets from peripheral scrapings of contemporary Japanese pop cultural influences. In terms of Japan’s rich history and the origins of its culture and customs I knew next to nothing. I desperately wanted to learn more but decided that doing so would contradict the story’s demand for Blackthorne’s gradual education on the subject.
In terms of building the man himself, I first had to become familiar to a certain extent, with the basic English geopolitical situation of 1600 and understand the mariners of the time – how they did what they did with much more rudimentary equipment than is available today. I also looked into historical linguistics which soon proved an interesting but inappropriate distraction because though the English language in 1600 wouldn’t be comprehendable by English speakers today, the script I was employed to work on was written in a relatively contemporary style. I suppose part of my work involved coming to some sort of acceptance that I was employed to portray a fictitious person in a story which, despite being based heavily on actual history, was principally a work of fiction to be consumed by contemporary audiences. I had to understand that Blackthorne had a very specific function in the story which could not be fully honoured simply with the pursuit of pure historical realism. After this acceptance was achieved I began to approach him as a sort of figurehead for an ‘older-world’ Englishman, the kind which there are still traces of today but who are moreso a product of England’s much more recent past. Though my father was not around in 1600, he was a merchant seaman knowledgable in celestial navigation and he is English so I drew on his character quite a bit.
Hiroyuki Sanada has decades of experience working in Japan and Hollywood, especially appearing in many Samurai movies. What is he like to work with?
One could not wish for a more caring, encouraging colleague. He was also a producer on Shogun. He was a surprising presence on set for an actor of his calibre in that rather than brandishing his great taste, high expectations and vast experience outward he exudes this subtle force and attitude which quietly invites and encourages those more junior to just realise and honour their own. He is an enigma who is always approachable and whose love for what he does is infectious and exemplary to all those around him.
What movies do you like to watch, and what music do you listen to?
As solely a viewer I like a wide range of movies. There is no general subcategorisation I could offer you to accurately convey what kind of movies I like. Everything from adventure films, fantasy, comedies, character pieces, animations, dramas and everything in between.
Is there something – a book, person, or place – that has consistently served as a source of inspiration for you over the past years?
No. Its always changing. I worry life might be too short to be inspired by solely one thing especially given the numerous sources of inspiration available. Regarding people, Sometimes the people I’m inspired by the most are complete strangers I pass. Perhaps they are working hard. Perhaps they are dealing with a suboptimal situation with dignity or tenacity. Perhaps they are helping others or acknowledging or caring for nature. Sometimes I notice those people and consider them quite inspirational. ’fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering’ – Master Yoda said that. That’s always stuck with me.
After the above-mentioned roles, what is next for you?
I’m about to begin working on a Film with Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza. I cant say too much about it.
Photographer – Jemima Marriott @jemimashoots
Assistant – Lee Furnival
Stylist – Mark Anthony Bradley @markanthonystylist
Grooming – Rebecca Richards @rebeccarichardsmakeup
Publicist – Tim Beaumont @ Telescope
Interview – Pavle Banovic @pavvvle
love this guy!
he is so cute 🥰