Spotlight: Darren Mann
Darren Mann is a former Canadian hockey player turned actor, writer, and producer.
He has acted in Giant Little Ones, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and the upcoming film Embattled, among others. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
Embattled is now available in select theaters and On Demand!
Photo by Charles Zuckermann & Zenna Wong.
Tearsheet by Kristen Wong
1. You’ve been acting since the age of eight. How has working in the industry for so long changed your perspective on it? What was your earliest memory on set?
I think what has been neat is that I always feel like I am still learning and improving. I think that’s the beauty of art, there is so much room for growth: the ceiling is high, and it keeps me hungry for more.
My earliest memory on set would have to be working on a short film called The Pusher Man. I believe I was 8 or 9 years old, my mom was directing, as well as running the camera. It was a special experience that I’ll never forget. My mom has always been my #1 supporter.
2. What is the most challenging role you’ve taken on as an actor, and why? Which role felt most natural to you?
The most challenging role I have ever taken on was Travis Hunter on the television show Fortunate Son. Travis was a broken, young man from the Vietnam war. He was like one of those Russian dolls that never ends. He was battling loss, addiction, PTSD, blackmail, betrayal, and falling in love, all while working as a spy who’s trying to do right by all sides. All of these juicy attributes drove me to want to play Travis. It was one hell of a challenge that I am so thrilled to have been able to do.
The most natural role was definitely Jett Boykin’s in Embattled. There were a lot of similarities in my own personal life that really resonated for me with Jett. I grew up in East Vancouver with a single mother, and an older brother whom I am extremely close with. My mother worked every job she could so that I could pursue my dream as a hockey player. I unfortunately also never got to have much of a relationship with my father. Even once I was old enough to understand that it wasn’t possible to have that father/son relationship with him, I still longed for it. It wasn’t a stretch for me to understand Jett’s dreams of becoming a professional athlete, to look after his mother and brother, and to have a relationship with his father, even if that seems impossible.
3. You also played professional junior hockey when you were younger. What was that like? Are you a competitive person by nature? What was the most memorable part of that time in your life?
Yeah, I played five years of junior hockey, followed by one year of single A professional hockey. It was fantastic. I owe a lot of my success in acting to my former career in hockey. It gave me work ethic, character, thick skin, and a drive to succeed at something that’s exceedingly difficult to achieve. I am an extremely competitive person, though I have learned that the most important person to be competitive with is myself. There were quite a few life lesson moments with coaches who have stuck with me. One in particular was when I was 17, I took a really stupid penalty in the game, and after the game I was called into the coach’s office. When I sat down in his office he asked me “What happened?” I quickly began giving an excuse when I was abruptly stopped by him. He told me to own my mistakes, to learn from them, apologize and move forward. He drilled into me that day that if I ever came into his office again with an excuse, I’d be on the first bus home. I’ve never forgotten that moment, and I will be forever thankful to him for this great life lesson.
4. Your next film, Embattled, comes out at the end of the month. What was production on that film like? Can you tell us a bit about what the film is about? What resonated the most with you about that role?
Yes!!! I cannot wait! Embattled was an absolute blast to work on. Whenever I get to mix my athletic background with acting is a bonus. I made so many lifelong friends shooting this film, and I should also mention that I met my fiancé on set of Embattled too. We were really blessed on Embattled; the crew was fantastic, and the stunt team was the best I have ever worked with. The producers were absolute pros; they set up an environment for us to succeed in. Working with our director, Nick Sarkisov, was really special. He’s such a gentle giant, he knows when to ask for more, and when to give us the freedom to explore. It really felt like a collaborative process working with Nick, and I cannot wait to work with him again.
5. If you could live or work anywhere else in the world, where would you go?
I’ve always wanted to go to Greece. Does anyone want to film a movie there?
6. If you weren’t an actor, writer, or producer, what would you pursue as a profession and why?
That’s a tough one, I feel like I have a lot of passions that I still plan on exploring. I love to cook, I enjoy doing home renovations, and I could easily see myself giving back to the hockey community in some aspect. I hope to eventually do all of them.
7. As someone who lives and works in America now, do you still feel close to your Canadian roots? What’s your favorite thing about home?
I actually just purchased my first home in Canada. I am a proud Canadian, and I will never forget or lose those roots. I feel very blessed being Canadian, I appreciate the peace.
8. Are you passionate about any social causes right now? What do you think needs to be done to make the world a better place?
I think the ability to agree to disagree is a lost art. We can be different and still get along. The ability to openly debate and learn from one another seems to have been lost. People need to stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and focus on themselves. This my way or the highway mentality is junk.
9. What’s your dream role and why? Who inspires you most in life, and in the industry at large?
I have always been extremely fascinated in war history and films. I would love to work on a film like Saving Private Ryan, Apocalypse Now, Fury, 1917, etc. I really enjoyed studying the Vietnam war for Fortunate Son, so anything that pushes me to learn more of this history would be great.
My brother inspires me the most in life. Anything he does, he does his best. He is always striving to be the best version of himself. He has been such a great role model and father figure for me growing up. I am very blessed to have Tyler as my big brother.
10. Tell us your life’s motto.
No regrets.
11. Link us to your socials.
Instagram: @realdarrenmann
Photo by Charles Zuckermann & Zenna Wong
Interview by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, & Kristen Wong, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
