Eoin Macken

Interview by Roman Portnoy
Photography: Storm Santos

Eoin Macken is an Irish actor, director, and writer. Macken has modelled for Abercrombie and Fitch, Ralph Lauren, and GQ, and has appeared in films such as Resident Evil, Close, Killing Jesus, and Centurion. Catch him currently in the hit series La Brea on NBC.

What drove you to play the part of Gavin Harris on NBC’s time-traveling drama La Brea?

I was immediately drawn to the concept and the script which was crazy, and the idea of time traveling into the past was exciting. Then the flawed human aspect of Gavin Harris being estranged from his family because of his mistakes, and how he was able to possibly redeem himself whilst becoming a better father was really interesting to me. Gavin Harris is a very complex, flawed character with a big heart and a desire to be the best husband and father he can be to make up for his mistakes, and I was interested to explore that. 

What’s the biggest challenge of starring in an original series like La Brea?

It’s more of a pleasure and a privilege than a challenge, because I get to work with really talented people, and we get to create a show that is like nothing else out there right now, so it’s a joy to be a part of. But the show is vast and huge and it’s a tough shoot constantly in the elements, a long way from home but we all embrace that!

When did you first decide you wanted to switch from modeling to acting?

There was never any switch per se , I was modeling and studying acting and cinematography concurrently at the tail end of college, and I was lucky enough to be able to use modeling to take me to places like New York and Los Angeles where I could study acting, and train with great coaches like Nina Murano and Vincent Chase. 

Does your modeling experience give you an advantage in front of the camera?

You can learn from every experience if you utilize it correctly and that’s why I made a documentary on modeling and the art of photography which we sold to RTE on Irish television, which I shot, edited and directed with my buddy Carl Shaaban, because we explored fashion photography as an art form – through luminaries such as Mike Bunn and Gerry Balfe Smyth.  

What do you enjoy most about acting?

Ethan Hawke recently spoke about how it’s important for young actors to write for themselves in their own voice to help learn, as playing different characters can make understanding the self difficult when you’re inviting heavy emotions into your life, and I’m paraphrasing him here, but I think he’s right. Acting is a beautiful art form which I adore and interpreting different characters to yourself is incredibly fun, but it’s also tough on the psyche and there is a balance to find. However the joy of being involved in creating a story is what drives me as an actor, and when people respond to a story you’re a part of – like the Merlin or Nightshift fans have done – then it’s really humbling. 

Who are your biggest influences?

My parents and family of course, and namely my mother, who has taught me so much and introduced me to music and literature and theatre. I have always found books and writing to be my safe havens, such as through the words of Steinbeck, Coetzee, Hemingway, but filmmakers such as Oliver Stone, David Lynch, Spike Lee, Claire Denis and latterly Jordan Peele, who are expert artists, have inspired me creatively and given a bar to try and elevate towards.

Is there anyone you would love to work with someday?

Can we bring Daniel Day Lewis out of retirement in a film directed by Jim Sheridan, shot by Darius Khondji and written by Sam Shepard and put me in that movie and I’ll be a happy camper. 

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

As much as I can, always. Not to sound like a greeting card or like a Paul Brady song but life is what you make of it, so I try to work as hard as possible, explore as much of life as I can, and appreciate my friends and family. Also drink coffee and nap a lot. 

What advice do you give to aspiring actors?

Create, create, create. When I was trying to figure out how to make films and become an actor I learned much of my craft through indie filmmaking and it’s where I met a lot of my friends and colleagues. Film festivals such as the Galway Film Fleadh are very filmmaker friendly and encouraging towards new voices and actors. My cousin Conor has recently raised money to shoot a film that he wrote a great script for, and he will play the lead in, and I’m inspired by his approach, as he has taken the bull by the horns to make his own project and I think that’s the best way to do it. 

What do you hope to do more of in 2023?

Learn more things, find some more great music that I can vibe to and write scripts to, and hopefully direct another film, all things going well. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.