Tom Payne is an English actor currently seen in Prodigal Son.
Season 2 premieres on January 12th on Fox at 9/8c.
He stars as Malcolm Bright, a complicated
psychologist who works for the NYPD.

Floral Tuxedo by Miranda Kurtishi  Leather Shirt by Allsaints Shoes by Bruno Magli — Floral Tuxedo by Miranda Kurtishi
Leather Shirt by Allsaints
Shoes by Bruno Magli

How did you get cast as the lead on the Prodigal Son? What was that audition process like?
I had finished The Walking Dead a few months earlier and wasn’t sure I wanted to get involved with another long running tv show. But this opportunity was too good to pass up. One of the show runners took me out for a drink along with one of the producers and explained the project to me and asked would I like to come in and audition. I took 24hrs to think it over and then went and did the taping. There were so many positives from the concept to the people behind it, the network and then the actors they were already talking to for the other parts. I still had my long hair and beard from The Walking Dead and someone high up at Warner Bros couldn’t quite see me in the part and they gave it to someone else! But then after the table read they thought they should give me another chance. So I shaved my beard and re auditioned. That was enough to get me the job!

Hat by Tuluminati Hats at Flying Solo Jacket by The Tailory New York at Flying Solo Shirt by Agnes B — Hat by Tuluminati Hats at Flying Solo
Jacket by The Tailory New York at Flying Solo
Shirt by Agnes B

What aspect of Malcolm Bright’s character is most resonant with you as a person? How do you see that aspect of his character developing in the series ahead?
I think the family relationships are pretty common. They’re obviously heightened in the show but I think everyone has difficulties talking honestly with their parents at times and Malcolm often has to confront the things in himself that come from and connect him to his parents. It’s a weird thing to realize that there are inherent things in your character that you have inherited from your parents. The show is really about Malcolm confronting and coming to terms with those things. As the show goes on he will solve some problems but at the same time keep discovering new things. Malcolm is definitely a work in progress as we all are.

What was working on The Walking Dead like? What was the most demanding part of that job and why?
It was a great experience. The fans of that show are amazing and spread all across the world. I got to connect with so many people from all walks of life. Probably the most difficult part was the weather in Georgia! It’s very hot and humid and I was mostly wearing a big leather coat sometimes paired with a wool hat. I had to make sure I was always drinking water to stay hydrated.

Hat by Tuluminati Hats at Flying Solo Jacket by The Tailory New York at Flying Solo Pants by Catou at The Confessional Showroom Shirt by Agnes B Boots by Allsaints — Hat by Tuluminati Hats at Flying Solo
Jacket by The Tailory New York at Flying Solo
Pants by Catou at The Confessional Showroom
Shirt by Agnes B
Boots by Allsaints

You grew up in England and obviously now spend so much of your time in America. When did you move here? What is your favorite thing about your hometown of Bath? What is your favorite thing about where you live now?
I moved to Los Angeles in 2010 when I started work on a show for HBO called Luck. I love the weather here and the sense of space. Also the thing that initially attracted me to America was the feeling of really being able to achieve anything you wanted and for my job to work in Hollywood! Bath is such a beautiful city. I miss the sense of history and the ability to walk around a city and go to a pub!

Did you have to learn to speak without an English accent for your career in Hollywood? What was the process of learning how to speak in a different accent and vernacular like? What’s the secret to getting it right?
I definitely wanted to play Americans and the accent is obviously the most important part of that. I learned pretty early on that it’s better to go to auditions and stay in the accent because no matter how good it is if the casting director has heard your British accent they always think they can detect it in your audition. Practice makes perfect. I use my American accent in my day to day life because I don’t want to keep being asked where I’m from!

What is your dream role to play as an actor, and why? Are you interested in pursuing more work in film outside of television?
I don’t really aim at any particular role since I feel that will only lead to disappointment. It’s much more fun to see which parts come along and surprise you! I would like to get back to doing some more film after Prodigal Son or in between seasons. It’d be nice to work on something with a defined beginning, middle and end.

Sweater by Neil Barrett Drop Shoulder Oversized Coat by Kyle’Lyk — Sweater by Neil Barrett
Drop Shoulder Oversized Coat by Kyle’Lyk

What’s your favorite memory from the Prodigal Son so far? What’s the best part of that job?
So many! We’re lucky that the show is so inventive and crazy, presenting us with lots of fun situations. I’ll always remember chopping off the guys hand in episode one. A brilliant introduction to how far this character was willing to go. After that, the land mine explosion was a pretty big and impressive stunt. The best part of the job is how it gives me the opportunity to use every aspect of my performing ability to pull it off. It really stretches me.

What are you most excited for heading into 2021? What are you least excited about?
Season 2 being on the air! I’m excited to give people some more fun entertainment after what has been a tough year. I’m least excited for anymore quarantining and can’t wait until we’ve kicked COVID’s ass!

If work wasn’t a factor, where in the world would you live and why? How do you bring that energy into your day to day life?
I think if work and family wasn’t a factor I’d love to live on a beautiful desert island away from it all and with a nice calming view. I tend to be pretty level headed and come at situations sensibly. My inner calm is pretty strong. So either a beautiful island or in the middle of the countryside. Somewhere I feel in touch with the natural world that was here before us and will be here after I’m gone.